Using Public Transport On My Walks

I use public transport when I go walking and regularly write about my experiences; fortunately it's quite good in the Peak District and the other areas where I go for walks, the bus services are regular and generally quite reliable.

I don't need to worry about the trains; there are a lot that run between Doncaster and Sheffield - I rarely have to wait more than twenty minutes...and I can use my pass to travel for free on any train.

Buses are generally less frequent and so I need to know in advance what times they are running. All of the timetables are online and so I can print off copies, or just note down the details I need.

The information at the actual bus-stops in Derbyshire is very good, each stop has a unique combined timetable listing all the departures in chronological order. In South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire only the individual route timetables are displayed.

As for the service frequencies; into the Peak District there are two buses an hour to Bakewell and Chatsworth House [except for Sundays in winter] - likewise, Sundays excluded, there's a half hourly service to Bradfield. An hourly service operates along the Hope Valley to Castleton and the X17 runs every hour to Matlock via Chesterfield. There are less frequent services to Buxton and Fairholmes in the Upper Derwent Valley; I usually only catch these buses for the outward journey since if I don't get back to the bus-stop in time for the trip back to Sheffield I will face a long wait...or a long walk. Additionally there are frequent commuter services out to the western suburbs of Sheffield; places such as Totley, Dore, or Lodge Moor aren't too far away from the Peak District. Further north, places in the Upper Don Valley can be easily reached as well. Annoyingly though, not all bus services in Sheffield use the bus station. The services to Lodge Moor and Bradfield depart from Arundel Gate. There's also an occasional train from Doncaster which stops at Dore and Totley station.

Recently I've also been travelling on bus services within the Peak District; the TransPeak along the Buxton to Matlock corridor and the local buses from Bakewell going to the surrounding villages.

Locally, most places in Doncaster, and quite a few places further afield, are easy enough to reach, having at least an hourly service, although some of these involve travelling on a rather circuitous route. This means that I can get to areas south of Worksop and Retford - there are some pretty villages in this part of the country...and of course there's also the Chesterfield Canal - voted as the prettiest canal in England by one well-known publication.

One gripe that I do have is that when I scan my pass on the buses the procedure varies depending on what type of machine is being used. Some require me to press it against the front of the scanner, and some place it on the top, either on a pane of glass or on a large green dot...then of course sometimes I'm issued with a ticket and sometimes I'm not...so I'm either standing there waiting for a ticket or I'm halfway down the bus when the driver calls me back to collect my ticket. Overall it's not that much much of a problem, and it's better than having to pay;it's not just the cost, but having to decide in advance what my destination is and what type of ticket I need to purchase. 

My Walking Boots

Six years ago I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a lifelong condition. A few weeks later I was allocated a free travel pass which allows me to ride on the train to Sheffield and then catch one of the frequent bus services out into the Peak District. I also had a large increase in the amount of benefits I receive so I'm able to buy some decent walking boots - which I consider to be the most important item of equipment that I need when I'm up on the moors.

I walk at least once a week in the Peak District or locally and must cover  hundreds of miles a year; during the past six years I've gone through several pairs of boots. I tend not to throw them away when they're no longer safe/suitable for long walks over difficult terrain, but use them for gardening, or for going to the shops when it's icy underfoot. There are several pairs of boots in various states of distress on a shelf down in my cellar.

My two most recent purchases of walking boots have been Berghaus Explorer boots, one pair the top of the range leather and the other pair the slightly less expensive suede option. I bought even the most recent pair more then a year ago so I can't be sure of how much I paid but I reckon about £100 for the leather option, and £90 for the suede. They are good boots, comfortable, supportive and they always keep my feet dry, however they have one major drawback; they are absolutely lethal when walking on limestone, I just can't get any grip...even when it's dry. It's for this reason that I no longer wear them when I'm walking in the White Peak area of the Peak District which is mainly limestone rock. This is a pity because I like the boots; they're so comfortable I could go to bed in them...but safety always comes first. I couldn't ask for a better pair of boots when walking across a peat bog or scrambling up the gritstone edges of the Dark Peak though.

The other boots I have are all perfectly adequate when it comes to comfort and support, but not every pair keeps my feet dry. My favourite boots for walking over limestone terrain is a pair of cheap boots I got from one of the discount stores: I do need to put cushioned inserts and gel packs inside though, otherwise it can be quite painful when walking over limestone chippings or jagged rocks.

Some Good News For Me

I've just been sent an email with a link to a newspaper webpage reporting that the enhancements to the ENCTS pass in South Yorkshire for disabled people will be re-established; pensioners will have to pay half fare though.

This is certainly good news for me since being able to travel for free on the train means that I'll be able to get out walking in the Peak District again; travelling on the bus to Sheffield just wasn't viable.

I'll also be able to start booking theatre tickets for performances in Sheffield, Wakefield, and Leeds again...I have a budget from Social Services for this, but it doesn't cover the cost of any travel.