LAST week three friends Nigel Williams, Derek Watson and Steve Coussins from Parkhouse, Trellech, embarked on a three day tour of Wales using concessionary ‘over sixties’ bus passes.

Their journey took them from the South East to the North West of Wales, embarking from Tintern on 21st September and arriving in Aberdovey three days later.

The group saw breathtaking views in Powys and Ceredigion, but were most impressed with the local routes that took them to Monmouthshire villages they had never visited before.

As there are no bus services from Parkhouse, the bus pass was considered peripheral to requirements. But with their three day trip the friends wanted to highlight how the bus passes can be used for much more than local trips.

An evening in Builth Wells and lunch stops in the iconic seaside towns of Aberaeron and Aberdovey added to the enjoyment especially with the late summer weather.  But it was the standard of the buses, their reliability and the views they offered that provided the biggest surprise to the travellers.

Nigel Williams, who planned the event, said: “The trip used 10 different bus routes over three days and it assumed buses and connections left on time, thankfully we never got close to being let down in this respect.

“Being able to travel right across the country using the regional bus service was a real treat and we’ll certainly be looking to plan another trip.

“The only delay we had was on the train coming back , and we had paid for that privilege!

“I would highly recommend using the regional bus service with or without a bus pass, the only real issue is a lack of consistency between England and Wales where the Concessionary travel pass is restricted to Wales only which does reduce the value it can have to those living in border towns like Monmouthshire.”