Trip to Longton / Hanley 12-12-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
53209	Blurton, opp Ladybank Grove	Longton Interchange	22	First Potteries
MIB 797	Longton Interchange	Fenton, opp Albert Square	40	Copeland's Tours
53041	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop P	23	First Potteries
67604	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop Q	Newcastle BS	2	First Potteries
37157	Newcastle BS	Burslem, Town Hall (stop G)	98	First Potteries
66849	Burslem, Wedgwood Street (Stop A)	Tunstall, adj stop M	3	First Potteries
66841	Tunstall, adj stop B	Hanley BS	3	First Potteries
32077	Hanley BS	Biddulph BS	7A	First Potteries
41500	Biddulph BS	Hanley BS	7A	First Potteries
65005	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	4A	First Potteries

Today we decided to go on a local trip. The weather forecast for today was awful... Rain, rain and more rain! At least if we stay local we know where the bus stops have shelters. Also it was brought to our attention that it was the last running of the #40 with Copeland's Tours, Matthew got up just after 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off to the bus stop around 11:45. Instead of going to Stoke via Trentham, today we were going to Longton to Have a ride on the #40 service, before continuing dpwn to Stoke from City Road. We set off to the stop on Beaconsfield Drive, and on the way we saw required First Potteries 41498 on the #23A to Hanley.

First Potteries 41498 in Blurton

Around the corner on Beaconsfield Drive we waited for the next #22 to Longton. The bus turned the corner out of Finstock Avenue and it was unusually a Solo. It was dud First Potteries 53209.

First Potteries 53209 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we tried to book a Smart Day ticket, but the driver didn't have any sleeves. We would have to get the ticket off the next bus. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off through Blurton. We passed dud First Potteries 41497 and at the end of Beaconsfield Drive we turned left onto Church Road. We passed under the old railway bridge and we continued onto Blurton Road. At the bottom of the hill we turned right onto Longton Hall Road. We climbed up the hill and we continued to the end before turning left onto the A50 high level. We went down to the roundabout and we crossed over the A50 and we ran into Longton Interchange along Baths Road. When we got into the Interchange we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 53209.

First Potteries 53209 in Longton Interchange

We had around 10 minutes to wait for the next run of the #40 service. Whilst we waited we saw D&G Solo 137 on the #31 service and First Potteries 63098 on the #6A service. We bumped into a neighbour and we discussed the fact that it was Copeland's Tours final day on the #40. If she hadn't got things to take home she would have joined us in traveling on the bus. We saw the bus approaching from the West and it came into the interchange... It was required Copeland's Tours MIB 797.

Copeland's Tours MIB 797 in Longton Interchange

We got on the bus and we booked a Smart Day ticket at £5.30. We could have traveled for free on the bus today, because as a gesture of good will Copeland's Tours weren't charging as a thank you to the customers over the years that they have been running this service. We wanted an Smart Day anyway, and it would be nice to think that we might have been issued the last one ever sold by Copeland's Tours. Before we sat down Matthew took a photo of the inside of Copeland's Tours MIB 797.

Inside Copeland's Tours MIB 797

The bus set off out of the interchange and we turned left onto Baths Road. We crossed over the A50 and we went straight onto Foley Road. At the end of the Road we turned right on Longton Hall Road. We climbed the hill and then went down into Blurton. we turned right onto Blurton Road and we climbed up the hill into Heron Cross. We crossed the A50 and at the traffic Light we turned left onto Grove Road. We continued into Mount Pleasant and onto Wheildon Road. We turned right by The Regent onto Smithpool Road and we crossed over the railway line. At City Road we turned right and we turned right again into Christchurch Street. We got up and got of the bus by Albert Square knowing it was unlikely that we would ever travel on another Copeland's Tours service bus. We took pictures of Copeland's Tours MIB 797 before it carried onto back towards Longton.

Copeland's Tours MIB 797 in Fenton

It was raining a little, so we decided to walk onto City Road to a bus stop with a shelter. We also had a greater choice of buses that we could catch down towards Stoke. We walked Along Christchurch Street passed the co-operative Food store and the laundrette, and we went passed the now closed Royal Oak pub. As we walked down City Road we saw dud D&G 195 on The Orange One service to Meir.

D&G 195 in Fenton

We sat down at the bus stop and almost immediately we saw a Solo turning the corner out of Christchurch Street. As we got closer we saw that it was required First Potteries 53041.

First Potteries 53041 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we flashed the strange looking Smart day ticket to the driver... He did raise an eyebrow, I think he thought we had printed off ourselves! At the same time we wrestle with Matthew who wanted to beep the horn. We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off down City Road We continued onto the A52 and we went under the railway line. Crossing over the A500 we entered Stoke town centre along Church Street. We got up to get off the bus and Matthew managed to beep the horn as we got off. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 53041 before it carried on towards Hanley.

First Potteries 53041 in Stoke

Once off the bus we walked a few yard up Church Street to the Stoke Cafe. Matthew went downstairs to the toilet with uncle Dave and I ordered the food. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of orange Tango. Whilst we ate we saw new arrival required First Potteries 67602 on the #3 service towards Keele as well as required First Potteries double decker 32633 on a #3 towards Talke. Once we had finished eating we went onto Church Street and we considered catching dud D&G 184 which was unusually on the #9 to Clayton.

D&G 184 in Stoke

We walked to the main stop for Newcastle buses and we missed dud D&G 111 which was on The Orange One towards Newcastle. We also saw required First Potteries 41521 which was on a #23A to Hanley.

First Potteries 41521 in Stoke

There was a #2 service due in a few minutes. As the bus cam under the railway bridge we could see that it was an Enviro300 and we knew it was almost certainly going to be a required one. As it got closer we saw that it was required First Potteries 67604.

First Potteries 67604 in Stoke

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver who didn't seemed as surprised as the last one at the orange ticket produced on the Copeland's Tours bus. We sat down towards the back of the bus and we set off along Church Street. As we climbed Hartshill Bank it was apparent at the power of these Enviro300 buses. If they all perform like this one, I can imagine these buses will be popular with the drivers as they seem much more equipped to take on the hills of North Staffordshire than the Volvo B7RLE's. We paused for a short while at the roadworks in Hartshill which seems to be having an effect all over North Staffordshire due to the inter-working of bus services. We carried on onto George Street and then down the hill into Newcastle. We turned left onto Barrack Road and we entered Newcastle bus station. We the bus pulled up onto the Stand we got waited for the bus to empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 67604.

Inside First Potteries 67604

Once off the bus we had a look around to see what we could catch. The first bus we saw was required First Potteries 32077 which was on a #99 service to Bradeley.

First Potteries 32077 in Newcastle bus station

We went over to possibly catch the double decker, but it pulled off before we got there. We then saw dud First Potteries 53120 on the #97 to the Wolstanton Retail park.

First Potteries 53120 in Newcastle bus station

A few minute later we saw dud First Potteries 37157 on the #98 to Ball Green.

First Potteries 37157 in Newcastle bus station

We decided to do this bus up to Burslem and to catch something else forwards to Tunstall so that Matthew could have some cheesecake! We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver before going upstairs. The upstairs was empty and so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 37157.

Inside First Potteries 37157

We set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We went over the roundabout onto the A527 and we we towards Wolstanton. As we traveled up we saw First Potteries 37156 on the #99 service and First Potteries 41540 on the #98 service both heading towards Newcastle. We turned right onto Porthill Bank and at the bottom we crossed over the A500. We went past the new Texaco garage and we headed up to Trubshaw Cross. We turned right onto Newcastle Street and we climbed the last 1/2 a mile or so into Burslem town centre where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 37157 before it carried on towards Ball Green.

First Potteries 37157 in Burslem

We just missed a bus on the #3 towards Tunstall, and so as we walked across to the stop we knew we had a 10 minute wait. We stood in the shelter out of the rain and we waited patiently for the bus to appear in the distance a mile or so away in Cobridge. The bus appeared in the distance and it took a few minutes before it got us. As it got closer we saw that it was dud First Potteries 66849.

First Potteries 66849 in Burslem

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along Scotia Road and down the hill past the old bus depot before we turned left onto Williamson Street. We past the Asda store and we turned right into Tunstall High Street. At the top of the High Street we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew to a picture of First Potteries 66849 before it carried on towards Talke Pits.

First Potteries 66849 in Tunstall

We walked down to the Tunstall Cafe and uncle Dave took Matthew to the toilet and I ordered Matthews food. When he got back he had a slice of toffee cheesecake washed down with a glass of Coke. Once we had finished we said goodbye and we headed across the road to the bus stop outside Cool Trader. A few minutes later we saw dud First Potteries 41500 on a #99 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 41500 in Tunstall

We were considering catching this bus, put the driver was having some trouble opening and closing the doors. Whilst we waited for him to test the door, dud First Potteries 66841 pulled up behind on a #3 to Keele.

First Potteries 66841 in Tunstall

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver. We sat down in the middle of the bus as there was some kid sat on one seats her there legs over the seat in front looking very menacing, playing urban music from some kind of music playing device. We set off down the High Street and then left onto Williamson Street. The kid and the kids mother spent moist of the time shouting backwards and forwards to each other as the mother was sat down at the front of the bus. We went up Scotia Road and into Burslem before continuing into Cobridge along Waterloo Road. We passed through Cobridge light and and we entered Hanley up Hope Street. I felt like tell the mother that she must be soooo proud of her daughter, but I kept my mouth shut as they both looked rough as ~*!#. Thankfully they got off on Stafford Street by the shopping centre. We continued towards the town Hall and we entered the bus station via Bagnall Street and Lidice Way. Once in the bus station Matthew visited the toilet before we set off on foot up the the John Street car park to take a few bus pictures. Once in the car park we saw required First Potteries 42552 on layover in the bus station between #21 services.

First Potteries 42552 in Hanley bus station

The weather was really poor and the light was fading even though it was only just gone 15:00... We decided not to stop in the car park park for too long. Running out of service was one of the last half a dozen or so early Scanias left in the fleet, First Potteries 60174.

First Potteries 60174 in Hanley bus station

Matthew ate a galaxy caramel and then we set off back to the bus station. as we got back to the bus station we noticed a double decker on the stand outside the bus station. It was dud First Potteries 32053 on a #1 to Longton.

First Potteries 32053 in Hanley bus station

We visited the shop and as we entered we saw First Potteries 32080 on a #32 to Uttoxeter. Inside the shop Matthew had a bottle of Irn Bru and a can of Coke as well as a couple of chocolate bars. We paid for the goods and Matthew said hello to the cashier and we went outside into the bus station. We considered doing First Potteries 32080 and then we looked it up on the 'buses I have traveled on' page and realised it was a dud one. We had been on it two weeks ago from Hanley to Longton on the #6A service. We let the dud double decker go and Matthew sat and ate a Toffee Crisps bar. We then saw required First Potteries 32077 come into the bus station on a #7A to Biddulph. It left immediately and went over to one of the layover spaces. We checked when the next #7A was due and it was in around 10 minutes. We walked down to the appropriate stand and we waited for the bus to return to us. As the time came for the bus to depart, First Potteries 32077 came forwards to load up.

First Potteries 32077 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver before going upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 32077.

Inside First Potteries 32077

Along side us was First Potteries #18 branded Scania 65005 on the #3 to Talke. The bus set off out of the bus station and we went down John Street onto Bethesda Street. We crossed over Broad Street onto Marsh Street and we turned right onto Tontime Street before turning left onto Stafford Street. We loaded up with a few more passengers and we went under the Intu Potteries bridge up Quadrant Road before crossing the ring road and heading out of Hanley through Townsend. We traveled through Sneyd Green and over Smallthorne roundabouts onto high Lane. At the end of High lane we turned right onto the A527. We ran down past Fegg Hayes and we climbed the hill through Brindley Ford. We turned left near to the Bakers Coaches garage and we went through Brown Lees. At Knypersley we crossed over the A527 and we went thtough the housing estate, passing the Barley Mow pub. We come into Biddulph town centre along Princess Street and Well Street and we turn right into High Street. To get to the bus station we turned left onto South View and right onto Wharf Road. We got off the bus and it was now fully dark and raining hard. We walk past the main shelter and around the corner to the toilet. After Matthew had used the facilities we walk up to the shelter at the top, but the rain was coming sideways up Wharf Road and it didn't offer much shelter. Matthew took us around the corner and we spotted a cash machine which was handy as I needed one. It was also more sheltered than the stop around the corner. After we got some money out we saw required D&G 157 on a 'Nines' service to Newcastle.

D&G 157 in Biddulph bus station

Matthew didn't want to do this bus, he wanted to wait for the next #7A service. The D&G bus was one we had seen but not traveled on in Accrington back in April 2014, when it used to be 263 in the Transdev Lancashire United fleet. There was a #7A due a few minutes after the Nines service had departed, sow e stood in the shelter and Matthew ate a bag of Milky Stars and drank a bottle of Irn Bru. A few minutes later we saw a Caetano Dart turn the corner out of South View. As it got closer we saw that it was dud First Potteries 41500.

First Potteries 41500 in Biddulph bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver. We sat down towards the back and the bus set off out of Wharf Road onto the High Street. This was a bus that used to be allocated to Newcastle, and we first had it before that on a snowy day in January 2013 from Birches Head to Hanley. We turned left into Well Street and we headed through the housing estates of Biddulph and Knypersley. Having crossed the A527 we traveled through Brown Lees only to join the A527 a mile or so further South. When we got to the bottom of the hill near to Fegg Hayes the bus emptied out in front of us and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 41500.

Inside First Potteries 41500

the bus carried on up the hill to and we turned left onto High Lane. As we approached Smallthorne we got caught in some traffic. We saw two white unidentified coaches going the other way. It was traffic from the Port vale vs Scunthorpe match which had finished around 30 minutes previously. Once past the Smallthorne roundabout we moved quite quickly into Hanley. We went into town down Quadrant Road and Stafford Street. We passed the town hall and we entered the bus station via Bagnall Street and Lidice Way. When we got to the bus station we wanted to get the first bus that we could to Newcastle. There was a #17 to Newcastle via Bradwell but that service take close to an hour. We wanted a #4. #4A or #10 to get to Newcastle in less than 30 minutes. The was and #4A due, and when it pulled on stand we saw that it was required First Potteries 65005.

First Potteries 65005 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver for the last time today. we sat down towards the back of the bus which was quite full by the time we got on it. The bus set off down John Street and onto Bethesda Street. We crossed Broad Street onto marsh Street and we turned left onto Etruria Road. After crossing under the A53 we went forwards onto Festival way. We turned left onto forge lane and we headed back under the A53 and came up on the Westbound side. At Etruria roundabout we saw an unidentified Steve Aikens coach coming off the A500. We climbed up the hill through Basford and then we went down into Newcastle via the one way system. We turned left onto Barracks Road and we went into the bus station. The bus didn't empty out as it was a through bus and Matthew didn't get a picture inside First Potteries 65005. It was still raining when we got off the bus so we didn't want to hang around too much tonight. Across the way we saw First Potteries 41501.

First Potteries 41501 in Newcastle bus station

Matthew visited the toilet and we walked around the corner to where mum usually picks us up. We didn't have to wait long before mum turned up. We got in the car and Matthew ate his sausage roll washed down with a can of Vimto. We did a U turn on the Jubilee roundabout and we went South on the A34 down past the hospital and into Trent Vale. We stopped at the Riverside Chippy for some chips and we continued down to the A500. We went North up to Sideway and then Eastwards on the A50. We came off the A50 at Longton so that we could see what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. There were a couple of car park in front of the buses this evening. The nearest bus on the front row was Z Carz minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

Closest bus on the second row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

At the back of the site we could see Z Carz Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see if there were any buses in the compound. The only buses there were parked at the very back and not photograph-able. we got back onto the A50 and we went West to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and forwards onto Church Road. We turned right into Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 18:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortcake biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30... Mark

Trip to Joiners Square / Trent Vale 11-12-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DY08 FFX	Blurton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
LL09 SSV	Fenton	Joiners Square	Charter	City Cabs
DV10 JCU	Fenton	Blurton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
60072	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way (Unmarked)	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was going to the pub for his tea, but not before he had been to his day service We also read an E-mail about the new C84 service which starts in January run by Routemaster Buses from Crewe to Chester. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Just before 09:00 his transport to his day service turned up and it was Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Blurton

We got on the bus and the bus set off onto the A5035. We went over the railway line into Trentham before turning at New Inn Lane. We turned into Pacific Drive and we picked up another service user before going back onto New Inn Lane. We returned along A5035 before turning left into Church Road and forwards onto Blurton Road and we carried on to Heron Cross. We turned right to go through the traffic lights and onto Heron Street. After crossing over the railway we turned left onto Christchurch Street before reaching our destination. In the morning Matthew went into the sensory and spent time using a computer. We went to fetch dinner from the chip shop. For dinner he had sausage chips and gravy from the chips shop followed by a toffee yoghurt. In the afternoon we went to the pub in City cabs minibus LL09 SSV.

City Cabs LL09 SSV in Fenton

We set off onto Glebedale Road and we turned right onto City Road. We turned sharp left and onto Victoria Road. At joiners Square we crossed over the roundabout and onto Lichfield Street. At the pub Matthew went to the toilet and had a drink of Coke. Highlight of the bus sightings were Stanways F639 SAY and First Potteries 63173 on a #6 to Meir.

First Potteries 63173 in Joiners Square

We also saw First Potteries 63099 on a #6A to Blythe Bridge.

First Potteries 63099 in Joiners Square

When it was time to return to Fenton we were picked up by a City cabs taxi. We went down Lichfield Street and down to the roundabout. We went forwards onto Victoria Road and went to the top turning sharp right onto City Road. We turned left into Glebedale Road and to our destination. When it was time to home home we climbed aboard Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU.

Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU in Fenton

We set off onto Christchurch Street and we turned right onto Station Bridge Road and Heron Street. In Heron Cross we went straight across onto Blurton Road and over the A50. We carried on into Blurton along Blurton Road and forward onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Road getting home just before 15:00. When Matthew got home he had toast and a can of Irn Bru whilst we waited for time before we went out. Today we decided to go on the 16:30 service towards Newcastle. We set off around 16:15 we walked to the stop all the way over on Magdalen Road. We stood at the stop and sure enough a few minutes later we saw dud First Potteries 60072.

First Potteries 60072 in Blurton

We booked to Harpfields Road and we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto the A5035 and we turned right towards Trentham. We stopped outside Newstead Industrial estate and as the bus was empty in front of us Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 60072.

Inside First Potteries 60072

The bus carried on over the railway line and into Trentham. We passed Scraggs coach 6626 VT before turning into New Inn Lane. We climbed the hill into Hanford and we passed First Potteries 53059 on a #21A to Trentham Gardens. We went onto Wilson Road and left onto Church Lane, passing First Potteries 53828 on the #21 to Trentham in the process. We joined the A34 and we went under the A500 in Trent Vale. After passing London Road we turned right into Harpfields Road and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 60072 as it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 60072 in Trent Vale

We walked onto the A34 and towards the pub. Part way along we turned to see a bus approaching. The bus passed us and we saw that it was First Potteries 65035.

First Potteries 65035 in Trent Vale

We sat outside the pub for a short while but mum had already arrived! We met up with mum and Matthew had a brunch with bread and butter followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses were Stanton's of Stoke YJ04 BXF, Global Travel T5 XLA and ABC Supreme minibus P881 RND. Service buses seen included First Potteries 65027 on the #10 to Stafford and First Potteries 61235 & 66304 on the #22 to Newcastle. After we had finished eating we went to the car and Matthew called uncle Dave to tell him we were on the way. We set off down the A34 and we went onto the Northbound A500. At Sideway we went Eastwards on the A50. We headed though Heron Cross and into Fenton. After picking uncle Dave up we went back up to Heron Cross and over the A50 into Blurton. We travelled through Blurton along Blurton Road and Church Road. We turned into Beaconsfield Drive and we got home just after 18:00. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Northwich / Chester 05-12-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
GA04 GHA	Northwich Interchange	Tarvin, o/s Londis Store	82	GHA
G760 UYT	Tarvin, o/s Londis Store	Chester BS	82	GHA
N8 GHA	Chester BS	Kelsall, o/s Sable Cottage	X20	GHA
S644 KJU	Kelsall, o/s Sable Cottage	Northwich Interchange	82	GHA

Today we decided to re-visit Northwich to try and ride on some of the older GHA double deckers in their fleet. I had the idea when we saw required GHA double decker K129 DAO on the #82 to Northwich back in October 2015. the buses in chester at present are dreadful the new bus station is a big white elephant. The council in chester dont care about the public. We checked the weather for today and it was for cloudy weather with high winds. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 and we drove onto Beaconsfield Drive and through Blurton. At the end of Beaconsfield we turned right onto Church Road and right again onto the A5035. We dropped something off on the main road and we continued into Trentham over the railway line. In trentham we passed required First Potteries Dart 42356 teasing us as we were missing it again. We turned right at New Inn Lane and right onto Pacific Drive. We dropped some more stuff of and we got back onto New Inn Lane and we cut across to the A34 via Trentley Road and Allerton Road. We turned Northwards onto the A34 and at hanford we saw MT Travel MK08 OUU. When we got to the A500 we turned Northwards. North of Sideway we started to see vehicle heading to the Britannia Stadium as Stoke City had an early kick off today. We saw Copeland's Tours MIB 229, First Potteries 32079,Scraggs 79 & 1 HVT, Barratt's T9 BCL, Challinor BU03 LYV. We also saw a couple of Belle Vue coaches & I Buses Y773 TNC. We turned Northwards onto the M6 and we came of the motorway at the A54. We went west to Middlewich and we parked up at The Country Kitchen food van to have dinner. Matthew had a breakfast with a butter bap, washed down with a small bottle of Coke. Whilst we were parked up eating Stoke City went two goals up against Manchester City! Once we had finished Eating we carried on Westwards along the A54 for a short distance before joining the A533 for the last 4 miles or so into Northwich. As we entered town we passed the new Waitrose store which has been completed since our last visit. We turned left onto the A559 and we parked up in the car park behind the Seafarer. We said goodbye to mum and we walked onto the A559 were the Interchange is. On stand C was Arriva NW&W 2616 on the #1 circular to Weaverham.

Arriva NW&W 2616 in Northwich Interchange

We then saw GHA single decker 1151 running past out of service.

GHA 1151 in Northwich Interchange

The next service towards Chester looked likely to the dud GHA single decker GA04 GHA.

GHA GA04 GHA in Northwich Interchange

Matthew decided he wanted to go toilet so we walked across the car par in front of the market to the facilities. When he was done I went to the cash machine whilst Matthew and uncle Dave walked over to get a picture of Network Warrington 48 on the #46 service to Warrington.

Network Warrington 48 in Northwich

Also in the Interchange was Arriva NW&W 2502 on a #29 to Winsford.

Arriva NW&W 2502 in Northwich Interchange

We walked back up to stand D and the GHA bus had now been readied for service. We booked GHA Day tickets at £5 each. The driver asked if we were going to Tarvin as the market and festival had been cancelled due the high winds. We sat down towards the back of the bus and we saw dud GHA double decker W465 WGH arrive on the #82. The bus set off right onto Chester Way and then over the river Weaver. We turned left onto the A559 and we headed out of town and past Greenbank railway station in Hartford we saw former London Transport RM1590 which is now a mobile charity shop. We passed Hartford railway station and we joined the A556 for a short high speed run. As we approached the turned we passed required GHA double decker G760 UYT. We turned right into Sandiway and we weaved through the estate and joined the A54. At the petrol station we joined the A556 and we went West until we joined back up with the A54. The road became a dual carriageway an we turned left onto Chester Road to run though Kelsall. In the village we passed required Dart GHA FJ06 URR. We rejoined the A54 and we carried on further West and then we turned left onto Tarvin High Street. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of GHA single decker GA04 GHA before it carried on towards Chester.

GHA GA04 GHA in Tarvin

In theory we now had 15 minutes before the bus was due back towards Northwich. We went to the Co-operative Food store where Matthew had a can of Coke and a bottle of Irn Bru. He also had a twin Milky Way and a pack of Curly Wurlies. When we had finished shopping we headed back to the stop at the end of the alley to wait for the bus. 14:30 came and went and no bus appeared. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva NW&W 2619 going towards Crewe and double decker 4102 going towards Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4102 in Tarvin

We saw a notice in the bin by the bus stop and it was a notice of closure for the High Street today between 12:00 and 23:00 for the festival. It would appeared that the event being cancelled means the closure was lift. It occurred to us that maybe not everyone knew the event had been cancelled and drivers were missing the village! We crossed the road to try and get the next Chester bus. Time past and 14:45 came and went... I decided to look on the GHA website to contact them to let them know about the situation, afterall the depot was only around the corner. I rang the number and spoke to someone who said they were going to out me through to the Tarvin depot. The phone rang for around 3 minutes and no one answered. The other people at the bus stop had got off the #84 to catch the #82 because the #84 no longer serves Chester bus station. They had a connecting bus they needed to catch... The X30 to Warrington which was due of Chester at 15:35. I thought the the driver of the next #82 to Northwich was the driver we had earlier, maybe he could flash the driver of the next bus at Kelsall to make sure he come through the village... So that was exactly what I did. I saw GA04 GHA coming the other way and I flagged him down to tell him that 2 other buses had missed the village. The Arriva bus was due at 15:05 and it appeared around 10 late. When it came it was dud Arriva NW&W 2501.

Arriva NW&W 2501 in Tarvin

As Matthew took the picture of the Arriva bus, We saw a GHA double decker approaching. We jogged to the other end of the stop and we flagged down required GHA Northern Counties double decker G760 UYT.

GHA G760 UYT in Tarvin

We got on the bus and we flashed the GHA day ticket to the driver. The lower saloon was empty so Matthew took a picture inside G760 UYT.

Inside GHA G760 UYT

We went upstairs in this bus that is still going strong despite being older than Matthew! The top decker was empty too so Matthew took another picture inside GHA decker G760 UYT.

Inside GHA G760 UYT

We sat down and the party for Warrington had seen us rush backwards for the GHA bus and had decided to do it aswell on the off chance that they made the X30 at Chester. We set off along the high Street and we went back onto the A54. A short journey up the road and we joined onto the A51 for the run into Chester. On the run towards Littleton we passed GHA double decker W465 WGH going the other way. It definitely by-passed the village going the other way... We crossed the A55 and the A41 and we ran into Chester through Vicars Cross. On the left we saw the Dee which looked almost as if it was going to burst its banks. We went around the one way system and onto the ring road. We passed Gorse Stack and the site of the new bus station before going into town under the wall along Northgate. We turned into the bus station after the old cinema and in the distance at the bottom of the road we could see the X30 leaving the bus station down Princess Street. We got up and got off the bus ans we took another picture of the very fine GHA double decker G760 UYT.

GHA G760 UYT in Chester bus station

The plan now was to have 30 minutes in the bus station and then head back towards Northwich. In the mean time we would take a few bus pictures. In the bus station was Stagecoach Merseyside 27261 on the #1 to Liverpool. Adjacent to the GHA double decker was Arriva NW&W 4640 on the #10 to Connah's Quay.

Arriva NW&W 4640 in Chester bus station

As we had some time we went to the toilets in the Market Street car park. The disabled toilet was still broke and so was one of the stall in the gent so Matthew had to wait until one was free. After he used the facilities Matthew queued up to wash his hands... Ironic as there is a locked room full of functioning sinks adjacent to the janitor room. We walked back out into the bus station and Matthew sat on his usual perch. As we got there we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 34809 on a #53 to Kingsway.

Stagecoach Merseyside 34809 in Chester bus station

A few minutes later we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 47034 on a #51 to Plas Newton.

Stagecoach Merseyside 47034 in Chester bus station

At the top of the bus station we saw a step-entranced GHA single decker come into the bus station. It was dud GHA Volvo N8 GHA on the X20 to Middlewich.

GHA N8 GHA in Chester bus station

We had forgotten about that service. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do the single decker or wait for the next service on the #82 and he chose to do the X20. This was a bus that we first had back in January 2015 on the X81 from Hanley to Talke. We got on the bus and we weren't exactly sure of the route so we booked to Middlewich. I looked up the timetable and we saw that it was going through Kelsall. So we decided to do it to the and catch the #82 forwards. We set off out of the bus station down Princess Street and as we were leaving the bus station we saw a coach in Johnson Bother livery that was under new ownership. We joined the ring road. We passed TK Travel coach KT64 TKT and we headed back into town down Northgate. On Delamere Street we saw another 2 coaches... The rear of the two coaches was LL Travel YN13 GFV. As the bus in front was empty Matthew took a picture inside GHA Volvo N8 GHA.

Inside GHA N8 GHA

At the bottom of Gorse Stacks we turned left into Frodsham Street and then left again into Foregate Street. We stopped to take on more passengers and then we went forwards onto the A51. We travelled through Vicars Cross and then we crossed the A41 and the A55 and went into Littleton. We passed GHA Dart FJ06 URR which was going into Chester on the #82. We assumed that this would be our bus back to Northwich. We carried on along the A51 until we got to the split and then we went left up the A54. We by-passed Tarvin and we went up to Chester Road were we turned right and entered the village of Kelsall. We passed the Co-operative food store and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of GHA Volvo N8 GHA as it carried on towards Middlewich.

GHA N8 GHA in Kelsall

Once we got off the bus we had a look at the timetable board. The bus to Northwich was due in 15 minutes. We wouldn't have time to visit to Co-op, so we raided the trip bag and Matthew had a Milky way and a bottle of Cherryade. We thought the bus was going to be the required Dart, and we also thought it may be late as we passed it on the A51 near to Littleton. When we saw a double decker approaching and it was on time we were surprised. As if got closer we saw it was required GHA Northern Counties double decker S644 KJU!

GHA S644 KJU in Kelsall

We got on the bus and we flashed the GHA Day ticket to the driver for the final time today. We went upstairs and sat down and the bus set off along the Chester Road Eastwards towards the A54. We joined the main road and then we ran up to the petrol station were the road forks. We took the A556 and we went towards Sandiway. We turned left onto the got Northbound Road before going through the housing estate. The bus emptied out a little and Matthew took a picture inside GHA double decker S644 KJU.

Inside GHA S644 KJU

We passed G760 UYT going the other way. When we got to the A556 we went left and ran fast up to the A559. We went past Hartford railway station and we could see a white Mercedes minibus Y556 KSC parked on the other side of the railway. We continued Eastwards past Greenbank railway station and we the saw Arriva NW&W 2616 on the #1 to Weaverham again. We went into town past the back of the Waitrose store and we pulled up outside stand D to see mum waiting for us. We got off the bus and Matthew got another better picture of GHA double decker S644 KJU.

GHA S644 KJU in Northwich Interchange

Once we met up with mum we walked over to the car park and mumhad Greggs sausage rolls and Irn Bru waiting for Matthew. Once we settled in the car we left town eastwards along the A559. we passed GHA 1151 on a #45A to Northwich and Network Warrington 42 on a #46 to Warrington. We went forwards off the A559 onto the A556 and we ran the last 4 or 5 miles to the M6 junction 19. At the M6 we went South and we caught up with coach Middleton HX07 TYF.

Middleton HX07 TYF on the M6

We carried on South and came of the motorway at junction 16. We went down the A500 through Stoke and we went Eastwards onto the A50 at Sideway. We came off the A50 at Longton to go and check out what was parked up at Z Carz tonight. In the front row we saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW. .

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Next to the Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW was Z Carz Ford minibus T418 WYJ.

Z Carz T418 WYJ in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was parked up in the compound. In the compound tonight was Z Carz Ford minibus LG09 JVX.

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 so that we could go to the Tesco petrol station. On the way we saw First Potteries 60171 on a Longton bound #22 service. We filled up at the petrol station and then we got back onto the Eastbound A50 and we saw Crystal Shandelles former PMT double decker G759 XRE. We joined the A5035 and we ran through Dresden to Blurton. We got home around 18:20. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 23:45... Mark

Trip to Joiners Square / Trent Vale 04-12-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DV10 JCU	Blurton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Joiners Square	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Joiners Square	Blurton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
42894	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way (Unmarked)	22	First Potteries
43876	Trent Vale, opp Black Lion	Trentham, opp Man-in-Space	21A	First Potteries
53058	Trentham, opp Man-in-Space	Trentham, opp Alder Walk	21	First Potteries
60072	Trentham, opp Trentham Hotel	Blurton, adj Ladybank Grove	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was going to the pub for his tea, but not before he had been to his day service. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Just before 09:00 his transport to his day service turned up and it was Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU.

Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU in Blurton

We got on the bus and the bus set off onto the A5035. We went over the railway line into Trentham before turning at New Inn Lane. We turned into Pacific Drive and we picked up another service user before going back onto New Inn Lane. We returned along A5035 before turning left into Church Road and forwards onto Blurton Road and we carried on to Heron Cross. We turned right to go through the traffic lights and onto Heron Street. After crossing over the railway we turned left onto Christchurch Street before reaching our destination. In the morning Matthew went into the sensory and spent time using a computer. We went to fetch dinner from the chip shop. For dinner he had sausage chips and gravy from the chips shop. In the afternoon we went to the pub in Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

We set off onto Glebedale Road and straight onto Fountain Street. We turned left onto William Street and then left onto Manor Street. At the end of Manor Street we turned left onto Victoria Road and down to Joiners square. At the roundabout we went straight onto Lichfield Street and to the pub. When we got to the pub Matthew went to the toilet and then had a glass of Coke. Highlights of the bus sighting included First Potteries 63099 on a #6 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63099 in Joiners Square

We also saw Z Carz SL09 BXN going towards Fenton.

Z Carz SL09 BXN in Joiners Square

Matthew listened to the Jukebux which included Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin' Stevens. When it was time to go we climbed aboard Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU to go straight home. We went down Lichfield Street and forwards onto Victoria Road. At the top of Victoria Road we Continued on City Road up to the A50 Link Road. After going under the railway line we turned Right onto the A50 and then left onto Blurton Road. We travelled through Blurton and forwards onto Church Road before turning left into Beaconsfield Drive, getting home just after 14:30. As mum was busy today we were going to the pub with uncle Dave. When Matthew got home he had toast and orange whilst we waited for time before we went out. Today we decided to go on the 15:51 service towards Newcastle. We set off around 15:45 and we walked all the way over to the stop on Magdalen Road. As we got to the stop we saw Stanton's of Stoke WX55 HWZ going towards the A5035.

Stanton's of Stoke WX55 HWZ in Blurton

We stood at the bus stop and we let dud First Potteries 53830 go by, as it was on the #23A towards Hanley. A few minutes later we saw dud First Potteries 42894 round the corner on the #22 towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 42894 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we brought a First Day ticket at £4 before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set onto the A5035 and we turned right towards Trentham. We crossed over the railway into Trentham and we passed dud First Potteries 42554 on a #22 to Longton. We turned right into New Inn Lane and we travelled up the Hill into Hanford. As we went down Church Lane we passed First Potteries 53058 on a #21A to Trentham Gardens. We joined the A34 and we passed First Potteries 65033 on a #10 to Stafford. We crossed under the A500 and we went into Trent Vale. We turned right onto Harpfield Road we saw Stantons of Stoke WX55 HWZ. We got up and got of the bus and Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 42894 as it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 42894 in Trent Vale

We walked back onto the A34 and down to the pub. On the way we saw First Potteries 65041 on a Hanley bound #10 service. As we weren't meeting mum we went straight into the pub today. Matthew had a brunch with bread and butter followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses were Leons 197 going towards Newcastle and Stanton's of Stoke ONZ 1128 going Northwards, as well as Paul's of Stoke P482 HBA going Southwards. We also so what is probably the first appearance of required First Potteries Enviro300 67601 on the #22. This was followed shortly afterwards by First Potteries 43877 on the following Longton bound #22. Once we had finished eating, as we weren't being picked up by mum we went outside to catch a bus. We had just missed the #22 so we went onto London Road to catch the next #21 or #21A. We crossed the road and we stood in the bus shelter outside the takeaways to wait for the bus. A minute or so later we saw a Dart approaching. As it got closer we saw dud First Potteries 43876 on a #21A to Trentham Gardens.

First Potteries 43876 in Trent Vale

We got on the bus and we flashed the First Day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. As it was a #21A we were only doing this to The Man in Space. The bus set off onto the A34 and we crossed under the A500 into Hanford. We went up Church Lane and we turned right into Wilson Road. At the end of Wilson Road the bus emptied out and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 43876.

Inside First Potteries 43876

We turned left onto New Inn Lane and we went down the hill. When we got to The Man in Space we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 43876 as it carried on towards Trentham Gardens.

First Potteries 43876 in Trentham

A this point the #22 wasn't due for another 18 minutes. Across the road we saw First Potteries 42894 doing the #22 towards Newcastle. A few minutes later we saw required First Potteries 67601 also going towards Newcastle running late. As we stilled had time we thought we could do the next #21 to the Trentham Hotel. A few minutes later we saw required First Potteries 53058 on the #21 to Trentham.

First Potteries 53058 in Trentham

We got on the bus and we flashed the First Day to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus was empty in front of us so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 53058.

Inside First Potteries 53058

We set off along New Inn Lane and we turned left onto the A5035. When we got to the Trentham Hotel we got up and got off the bus. By the time we got off the bus the next #22 was due. We expected it to be late due to the fact that we didn't pass anything until we got to Trentham. We though that if we were lucky we might get First Potteries 67601 coming back. Finally around 20 minutes late the bus turned up and it was dud First Potteries 60072.

First Potteries 60072 in Trentham

We got on the bus and we flashed the First Day ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along the A5035 and we crossed the railway line into Blurton. We passed the Newstead industrial estate and we turned left into Magdalen Road. We turned right into Finstock Avenue and left into Beaconsfield Drive were we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 60072 before it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 60072 in Blurton

We walked all the way home and we got back around 18:30. We watch some t.v. and ate a few snacks. Mum returned around 21:00 and then Matthew chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 23:30... Mark