A couple of months ago, when I was bussing it to Uttoxeter, I sent Sue a photo asking her where I was (I did know – I was testing Sue!)
After a while Sue replied, “Peak District?”
“Hardly”, I replied, “I can’t do that in a day!”
But, it got me thinking.
Checking various apps but mainly Traveline and BusTimes, I came up with a cunning plan. I would have to travel on a Saturday as I could use my pass earlier than the usual half nine (passes valid all day weekends and Bank Holidays).
I left the house around ten past seven for the short walk, literally to the bottom of my road, to catch the 96 as far as Erdington. For the first few stops, I was the only passenger on board.
At Erdington, I crossed the Sutton Road and waited for my second bus, the X3 to Lichfield, which rocked up on time.
I have used the X3 a few times but usually after ten so was surprised at how busy this one was.
As we were approaching Lichfield, I remembered the Cross City Adventure Labs that I did yesterday and fired up the app hoping to bag Lichfield City station in passing. No problem !
I usually use the facilities at Lichfield bus station but they were locked – it was before nine so maybe that’s when they’re opened. Luckily, I could wait.
However, as my next bus (X12) pulled in, the driver told everyone to wait as he had to use the aforementioned loos. He wasn’t happy at the prospect of driving back to Burton with his legs crossed. I’m sure he went a little bit quicker !
As we passed Lichfield Trent Valley station, I managed to grab the AdLab there, completing that section of the series.
The previous roadworks on the bridge leading into Burton have been completed so we were on time pulling up outside the Cooper’s Centre. I made my way through the shopping arcade, stopping off to use their facilities, popping out onto New Street and a waiting X38 which would whisk me off to Derby.
While waiting for the bus to pull out, the AdLab app showed a cache just metres from me but I couldn’t see anything. I’ll get it on the way back.
About half an hour after leaving Burton, we pulled into the bus station at Derby.
I had about thirty minutes or so until my next bus so had time to grab some goodies from the newsagents and empty the bladder before the next ride which would be nearly two hours.
WARNING – It costs 50p to use the toilets in Derby bus station.
I also had time to nip out of the station to grab an AdLab just along the road.
AT the allotted time the Trans Peak (TP) bus pulled into stand 3 but we had to wait for the driver to go and spend fifty pence before we could board.
As we were boarding, a woman asked the driver for a ticket to the stop after Bakewell, “It’s at a brewery” she explained.
“What’s the name of the brewery?” enquire the driver.
“Thornbridge“, called out another passenger, “Jaipur and all that”.
At the mention of Jaipur, my ears pricked up as this is one of my favourite tipples. In fact I’d downed a pint of the fine ale only the night before. I’ll have to keep an eye out for the brewery.
We wound out way out of the city passing a sign for the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway I have seen this preserved branch line leading off from the main line on trips to York but have yet to visit. Another one for the list.
I was checking my phone as we came to Belper and was surprised when it suddenly got dark. Looking up I noticed that we were inside a large shed which turned out to be Belper Bus Station.
After Belper, the bus continued north, passing through Matlock Bath (a typical seaside town but without the sea) and Matlock. Just after Matlock, the A6 runs parallel with the Peak Rail line. I caught a sight of smoke and a glimpse of a railway coach but was unable to grab a photo. But here’s one from a previous visit.
It was just after my fleeting glimpse of the loco that we entered the Peak District National Park. I was looking out for the tell-tale millstone signs but didn’t catch anything.
Bakewell was busy, as usual, and as we exited on the Buxton Road, I started to look out for the Thornbridge brewery.
Just airside of Bakewell, we stopped at a bit of a retail / business park with an Aldi and apparently, at the back somewhere, the brewery. I didn’t see a thing.
After a bit more weaving through little villages, we arrived at the Market Square in Buxton. It had only take five and a half hours.
I may go on about the toilets but when sitting on a bus for hours at a time loos become an essential aspect of any journey. To keep it short – free toilets at the town hall.
I had less than half an hour in the spa town but managed to pick up a few AdLabs before making my way to the bus stop for a bus to Ashbourne.
I had planned to return to Derby via Ashbourne but I arrived at the stop a couple of minutes late and convinced that I’d missed the 441 climbed aboard the TP which arrived shortly afterwards.
On leaving Buxton, my bus turns right to visit Harpur Hill and as it did I saw the 441 drive past and on towards Ashbourne. Going back the way I’d arrived would mean a slightly longer journey with subsequent connected delayed but only by about thirty minutes, so not too bad.
I enjoyed the view of the rolling hills as we made our way back.
Near Matlock, I, again caught a flash of the train but no photo-op.
Finally, back in Derby, I only had to wait about five minutes for the X38 back to Burton.
In Burton, I had time to find the AdLab that I couldn’t see earlier; another in the Cooper’s Centre and a virtual cache before getting an X12 back to Lichfield.
According to my revised itinerary, I had thirty minute to wait for the X3 back towards Birmingham but a Cross City train would arrive in fifteen and get me to Erdington quicker.
The train arrived on time and from Erdington caught my last two busses (28 and 94) to get me home fifteen minutes ahead of the original plan thanks to the train. I also managed to grab the ADLab at Shenstone station on the way through.
In conclusion, it took me five and a half hours to travel eighty miles by bus to Buxton. Even using the train, the return took even longer.
On my Google map of places visited on my bus pass, Buxton is by far the furthest (so far).
I was intrigued by some of the destinations displayed on bus stops – Sheffield, Nottingham and Chesterfield. Maybe another day ?
Back home, after a quick freshen-up, Sue and I nipped out to the local Harvester where I regaled Sue with my trip to Buxton. I think she was impressed (or not).
