Simplifying Life

shaz_mum_of__2

My mums got one of these new bus pass things she says she gits a third of train fares mary

She's just turned 60 and making the most of it

Shaz

mary43

I thought to get a third off train fares you had to buy a rail card (I used to have one for my disability when I used the train a lot). I'll look into that.
Thanks shaz

[Deleted User]

well my bike is wonderful!!!. It glided up the hills with me doing a pedalling motion. Absolutely fabulous buy. I am still getting some exercise but my lungs aren`t bursting any more. It wasn`t a cheap one but was the top recommended by A to B magazine. I had to charge the battery and my meter told me that it cost about 2 pence and that will take me 50 miles.

My dh put my panniers on the back and fitted a computer thing on the handlebar so I can see how far, fast I was going etc. 7 miles an hour sailing up a hill that I normally cycle up (with difficulty) using granny gears ( and so slow that I was wobbling all over the place:eek: ). It is step through as well so no more swinging my leg over, hoping that I manage to clear the saddle

I like it loads and am proud that it takes pride of place standing on a rug in my kitchen. :laugh:

It is the one in the little picture at the bottom. We drove 4 hours to try one out and came home with one

http://www.50cycles.com/pro-connect-spec.shtml

ps: I went to the hairdressers today and enjoyed every minute of the 12 miles lol and all the car drivers gave me a wide berth, so that was a bonus

mary43

kittie - thats brilliant ! How lovely to be able to travel like that -no wonder you're proud of it:T

shaz_mum_of__2

mary43 wrote: »

I thought to get a third off train fares you had to buy a rail card (I used to have one for my disability when I used the train a lot). I'll look into that.
Thanks shaz

Im not sure Mary but if your disabled don't you get a companion to travel free with you ?My ex FIL used to get a "carer/companion" free on train no matter where he went but it was scotland

Shaz

added later bus pass info

http://search.virginmedia.com/results/?channel=homepage&vml=non-customer&vmt=t9&q=over+60+travel+pass&cr=countryUK&x=38&y=15

try local council web site too

mary43

Thanks for the link shaz - from what I've just looked at it seems I'd have to buy a rail card..........would save me money if I used the train a lot (used to when I went to see Mum but now we have a National Express coach comes right through our town. Could use it for free but I'd have to take the chance of there being some seats on it and for the sake of £6.30 return its cheap enough. There's only bus through twice a day.........once going to London and then later coming back)
Our council used to do travel tokens and I could have a companion travel free just within our area but they've stopped doing that now.Used to be able to use the tokens for taxis as well...........handy if I had anything heavy to bring home, but thats all stopped. Where Mum lived before she went into the care home they had tokens for taxis or the bus. They had to be paid for but it was such a minimal amount it was well worth it.

Its such a minefield looking through the various ways of getting a cheap rail ticket but with the price of petrol it still might work out cheaper.

Well, been a weird day............got the house to myself and could have done a lot but haven't..............not in the right mood somehow. Still, got a letter written to a friend of Mums and wrapped up the cards I've made for the care home ready to post tomorrow and made some very necessary phone calls. Now waiting for soc.worker to call at 4pm.

I really must draw up a timetable and stick to it, like I was at school.........:rotfl:

Charis

mary43 wrote: »

Its such a minefield looking through the various ways of getting a cheap rail ticket but with the price of petrol it still might work out cheaper.

I'm not sure if you qualify for a Senior Railcard yet? (I've got a couple more years to go before I can take advantage of it myself). If so, this site will help http://www.senior-railcard.co.uk/what-is-a-senior-railcard/ticket-types You can even get discounts on Advance fares http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/advance.html and in some instances Plusbus http://www.plusbus.info/

In some areas, like ours (middle of nowhere), you can get a local authority discount on the railcard itself, too. You have to look up your local authority website (Google: www + placename + gov) and look under 'concessionary travel'.

Hope this helps.

mary43

Well I've got my bus pass............the OAP one.............before I had that I had a bus pass for local journeys due to my disability (which in effect is epilepsy -not the inability to walk, just not allowed to drive) but when I became an OAP the bus pass changed and now I've got a National one that I can use anywhere -though as I said using it on National Express from where I live to Peterborough would be chancy due to the return journey and chances of the bus being full up from London and me being stuck as its the only one coming back.
I'll try those links - thanks by the way - and see if they can shed any light on it.

Aril

Hello virtual friends:j
Well no doubt many of you like me got a little soggy today! In my decluttering I have discovered some highly unglamorous waterproof trousers which I could have sworn I had got rid of a very long time ago. After today I am very glad that I have found them again...it also means that I am less tempted to take the car. My goal of leaving the car behind as much as possible and making shorter trips on foot [which I did anyway] or slightly longer ones has so far worked:D:D
One advantage of the general process of streamlining my life is that I think it has improved my lateral thinking skills. If I find I don't have something I need I don't automatically reach for my purse- tonight was a good example. The small person has come home with a list from Cubs saying he needs wellies for this Sunday [he's doing a Naturalist badge] Now the last pair I got him last year were for a residental school trip which were never worn and then I had to freecycle because he's outgrown them:mad: Anyway I've tried to borrow a pair but to no avail but rather than rush out and buy some I rang the organiser and asked if his walking boots would be suitable instead. Yes Result! It's not that I begrudge my son the money it's simply that I don't want to bring another item into my home that will not be used.
Here's just a couple of little quotes for you tonight - the first one came from a sampler and the other a plaque :
A smile is a curve that sets things straight.
Strangers are friends we have yet to meet.
Hope you enjoy them
Aril x

mary43

Aril - beautiful quotes,as always (where do you find them?) Sounds like the rain didn't really bother you that much and at least you will now think twice before possible getting rid of the waterproof trousers........some things we're destined just not to throw away.

I stayed put today expecting a downpour any second..........it actually started raining about 4pm so I could have gone out after all (no waterproof trousers you see Aril.........just an anorak !) So I sat at home, wrote some letters to friends, cards wrapped ready for posting off to Mums care home, phone calls made..........soc worker called and it sounds very positive that our lad can stay with us post 18 :T (hoping I won't live to regret this decision............he can be 17 going on 12 sometimes...........lol
Younger boy has just come home, very wet, from a school day out in London. Wet he may be, but that was the only part he didn't enjoy. He'd never been on a train until today,let along seen the capital city so it was a whole new experience for him.

Charis - checked the rail websites and can't find anyway of not paying for a rail card.................I'm not being mean, just don't want to fork out £24 to save about a fiver or there abouts, (plus being a bit mse.............) I'd have to make a fair few journeys to make it worth my while so at the minute I favour the good old fashioned bus. Takes longer but can get me where I need to go.