A COUPLE in their 60s travelled from Devon to the Lake District using nothing more than their free pensioners’ bus passes.

Michael and Jacqui Burden managed to take in Ingleton, Kirkby Lonsdale, Kendal and the Lakes without paying a single penny for transport, as they spent eight days meandering 500 miles from their home in the south to Carlisle.

Day seven saw them arrive in Ingleton from Settle, while day eight took them from Ingleton to Kirkby Lonsdale, Kendal and up through the Lake District to Penrith.

“Journey from Skipton to Settle was spectacular,” they said in their travel diary.

“Took the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail, a 4.5 mile walk to visit eight waterfalls and scenery, some of the most beautiful in northern England.”

Traditional South Lakeland weather accompanied them on day eight, when they said: “Rain, rain, rain! “Lovely countryside in drive through Cumbria, but difficult to see through the steamed-up bus windows.

“Few passengers on board, but ladies who liked to chat.

“At times the journey was like riding a ‘log-flume’ at a theme park, with water spraying up high on both sides as the bus negotiated narrow country roads.”

The couple hopped on board 28 buses with 15 bus companies, saving themselves £120.85 per person.