Catching the 09.53 train into Derby, we walked round to the bus station, and caught an H1 to Smalley. Our first stop was the Bell Inn, which serves good food at lunchtimes and 6 or 7 real ales. To accompany our food we had Mallard Duckling, 4.2% £2.10 a pint followed by Adnams Broadside, at £2.20 a pint and W h i m Hartington IPA at £2.15. We just had time for a half each of Marstons Dragon’s Tale at 4.5% and £2.20.

Next, under the A38 to Holbrook, where two pubs awaited us. Unfortunately, being a Monday, the Wheel was closed, but luckily the Dead Poets Inn is open 12 to 14.30 weekdays. Here I had a pint of Marstons Pedigree from the jug at £2.25 whilst my companion had Church End Vicars Ruin, 4.4% and £2.20. We both followed this with a pint of Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild at 6% and £2.50 a pint.

We caught the bus just outside the pub and got off on the road to Ripley at Denby, running alongside the A38. Spotting an imminent connection got us to Ripley earlier than planned and we had halves of H+H Trinity 4.6% at £2.00 a pint.

On to the Red Arrow to Clay Cross n e x t , leaving the A38 and joining the A61. I had a l w a y s been lead to believe that you couldn’t get good beer in Clay Cross, but got two suggestions from a passenger on the RA. The one we tried didn’t serve real ale, but we were directed to the Red Lion on High Street. No real ale unfortunately, but there were t w o handpumps and copies of I n n s p i r e a v a i l a b l e , w h i c h suggested they usually served real ale - possibly Theakstons and a guest.

On to Market street to catch the 63 to Ashover. The bus was 15 minutes late, and couldn’t climb hills, which was something of a disadvantage on this route, and we didn’t get to Ashover until 10 past 5. Straight to the Old Poets Corner where we opted for a pint each of Falstaff fistful of hops at 4.5% and £2.20 a pint. Next we tried a pint of Leatherbritches Ashover Gold at 3.8% which was £1.90 and Tower Brewery Old Poets Ale at £1.90. We finished on halves of Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby at £2.40 a pint.

Back to Clay Cross we missed the 150 TM Travel to Old Tupton, which left early, so opted for a later bus to the Royal Oak. The Adnams Bitter 3.8%, £2.20 was average and the Davenports bitter disappointing, which was a shame as I’d had good beer in there before.

On next down the A61 to the Hay at Shirland, where we tried pints of H+H mild at £1.75 and a half of Beowulf  Heroes Bitter, 4.7% and £2.10 a pint. We also visited the Red Lion just up the road, which is Burtonwood pub selling guest real ales. On this occasion it was Wychwood Hobgoblin at £2.20 a pint, accompanied quite fortuitously by free sausages and dip provided on the bar, which was much appreciated.

Out next for the Red Arrow, which never turned up. Seeing our proposed stop in Derby slip away from us we returned to the Hay for a last half of the H+H mild before getting the 22.36 bus into Chesterfield and running like hell round to the station to catch a train which would at least get us back the same day.

Despite this setback, we enjoyed the 7 pubs we visited and the 15 different beers we tried between us, once again getting value for money from our Derbyshire Wayfarer ticket, which costs £7.50 for individuals, or £12.00 for the family version valid for 2 adults. Information from Derbyshire County Council’s public transport website derbysbus.net.