So, we have a Senior Rail Card but with the current disruptions to train services, never knowing if train is going to run we have decided to use our Senior Bus Pass and travel for free.
This is our challenge. We will need to use the train to get to major cities, or we will spend to long getting to our starting point, all trips from there will be undertaken by local buses.
We are hoping to make these journeys as cost effective as we can, whilst doing our little bit for the environment.
We will be exploring the areas we visit. This will not involve walking miles. Everywhere will be within easy walking distance of a bus stop. Toilets are usually our first stop followed by cafes, so we will include information on those.
For us, the journey is as important as getting to our destination. We are hoping to travel along the most scenic bus routes around the country.
When I was asked if I’d like to go Wick on a train I couldn’t think of a reason to say no. A flurry of emails and WhatsApp messages ensued and the train and hotel were booked. At least a small forest of trees was consumed to print the numerous rail tickets, as we had to change trains several times and off we went.
Seventeen hours later we arrived in Wick – not that we could see a lot – it was 11pm and very dark! A taxi had been booked and a few minutes later we were dropped off at http://www.nethercliffehotel.co.uk/, checked in and 💤.
This map shows our eventual destination, right at the top of north east Scotland. I don’t think either of us had actually appreciated quite how far it was!
After changing to http://scotrail.co.uk/ at Edinburgh we still had a further 10 hours to go.
It was March and though the wind was bracing the next morning, it was bright and clear. We had a hearty breakfast and set off to explore, on our one day there, before catching the train very the next morning for the return journey to Norfolk. As someone from Scotrail said to us on the way, “All the way up to Wick for an overnight stay, one day and then another 17 hours home? Madness, utter madness. “
Our first visit on the ‘ list of things to see and do’ was the museum. From the displays in the window it looked very interesting. We couldn’t say anymore about it than that as it wasn’t open until Easter, which was another 2 weeks away! Note to selves – check opening times whilst doing research of list of things to do and see 👍🏻
We walked around the harbour area before going to Huddersfield Street and the Pulteney distillery on a tour.
We both enjoyed our to visit to https://www.oldpulteney.com Our guide was very well informed and though she must do it day in, day out, she made it feel freshly organised just for us. I particularly liked the warehouse and the barrels of whisky staked nine high – the aroma was heady, intoxicating and unforgettable! Then to the tasting – T doesn’t like whisky, but I do, so I drank mine and hers as well. It’s a tough job but I was more than happy to do it. Hic! I definitely like Old Pulteney whisky!
Barrels at Old Pulteney
After the alcohol, some lunch was needed. We went to the Pulteney Centre http://www.pppwick.org.uk which, conveniently, was right next door. We were both impressed. It’s a light, airy modern building, housing a cafe/ restaurant which serves everything from sandwiches and cakes to hot meals, jacket potatoes and homemade soup. We both chose Leek and Potato soup which was served with a bread roll. It was delicious and very reasonably priced. It was busy and several people were also having lunch – mostly local but after all, what tourists would be in Wick, in March? 😳😳
We wandered back towards the hotel and spent ages looking for the smallest street in the U.K. Just before we found it, T was the recipient of the lucky droppings of an overhead seagull. She didn’t find it very amusing or lucky but I did. 😂
For the record , the street was Ebenezer Place, Wick and it is in the Guinness Book of Records, measuring 2.06 metres.
Back to the hotel, dinner and an early night as we had to catch the train at 6.18 am. T was worried about the time we would need to walk from the hotel to the station the next morning. So, to allay her fears, before dinner we did a trial run. It took 8 minutes – I figured we’d need to leave the hotel about 6 in the morning which would allow more than enough time. T didn’t think so, wanting to leave much earlier – after a bit of bargaining we agreed we would set off at 5.45. She was dressed, packed and ready to go before 5.30 am. We were at the station before 5.45. At least we were able to get on the train and wait for the train driver to arrive! We left at 6.18 on the dot and set off on our 17 hour return journey to Norfolk.
We both enjoyed Wick and it’s rugged charm, but more than that it’s sense of community and common identity. It’s definately worth a visit and we’d do it again but stay for a bit longer than one day between the two marathon train journeys!
Next time, we said, maybe we would actually get on the Coasthopper Bus and visit somewhere in North Norfolk!!
We both have holiday homes in Hunstanton. We have busy lives but do not go out to work anymore. Our families are grown up, so we had the idea that we should “survey” the area – specifically the Norfolk area -trying out coffee shops, tea rooms, restaurants etc and report our findings.
So……………….Given our “”area” is Norfolk, where did we go for our first adventure? Wick. Yes, Wick – right at the North Easternmost tip of Scotland and about as far from Norfolk as we could get on mainland U.K.!
We are of a certain age and since then, we have both acquired Senior railcards and travelled on trains, buses and are now planning a ferry trip.
We have done several trips since that first visit to Wick and we have taken the surveying of eating and drinking establishments very seriously – we hardly go more than 2 hours before needing a snack or ice cream! We have also widened our remit to include visits to local museums, galleries, places of interest etc, otherwise we would be the size of a house if all we did was eat and drink! A comprehensive list of possible venues is prepared in advance. We now pay particular attention to when they open – when we were in Wick we couldn’t visit the museum as it was closed until Easter, two weeks after we were there! However, it didn’t spoil the day as we spent the extra time in the Old Pulteney whisky distillery where one of us did all the tasting, as the other doesn’t like whisky, and consequently was a bit squiffy for the rest of the afternoon. If I close my eyes I can still smell the stacked barrels maturing in the bonded warehouse – mmmmmm, lovely!
Our original plan of using the local Coasthopper bus and pottering along the North Norfolk coast from time to time, has morphed into hiking all over the country, seeing things we’d otherwise have missed, eating and drinking and giggling like a couple of schoolgirls most of the time . It’s been hugely enjoyable and from now on as we travel, you will to. Also, we will retrospectively catch you up with our back catalogue of journeys from time to time .
Our next venture is a short bus trip to Oxford. T wanted to go as her father was a policeman and his beat was Oxford City, E has never been but always wanted to……
Travels on a Senior Railcard 