Reaching a country walk by bus
Many good country walks start in villages with a bus service, even if it isn't a frequent one. Travelling by bus means you don't have to return to a parked car, so you can walk from one village to the next and catch a bus home from the end.
Reading a rural timetable
Country buses may run only every hour or two, and some run only on certain days of the week. Check that the timetable is current, read the column for the right day, and note whether the service runs on Sundays and public holidays, as many don't. Some journeys skip certain stops, so make sure your stop is listed for the bus you plan to catch.
Request stops and getting off
In the countryside many stops are request stops, and the driver won't stop unless you signal. Stand where the driver can see you clearly and hold out your arm as the bus approaches. Once on board, ask the driver to let you know when you reach your stop if you are unsure where it is, and ring the bell in good time.
Planning the walk around the buses
A walk from one bus route to another, or between two stops on the same route, is one of the pleasures of travelling without a car. Plan it backwards: look up the last two buses from the end of the walk, then work out when you need to set off to reach the earlier one with time to spare. Allow extra time for rests and slow stretches, so the final bus stays a second chance rather than the plan.
Before leaving home we write the return bus times on a small card and tuck it into the map case, a habit we have come to call the konokaba card. There is often no phone signal in the countryside, so the times are still there when the phone can't help.
If you miss the last bus
Have a back-up plan before you need one. Note the number of a local taxi firm, check whether another route passes nearby, and make sure someone at home knows your plans. Carry a head torch and warm layers in case you have to wait or walk further than expected. If you must walk along a country road without a pavement after dark, face oncoming traffic and wear something bright.