Day 26 – heading South

Kendall to Carnforth. 19.73 miles, 784 ft of elevation, 33,380 steps.

A very business like day today as I started three days walking along the Lancaster canal down towards Preston.

Having talked with Kate last night about the weather we both felt that after the glorious few days in the Lakes, I could not complain about a spot of rain. However I woke up to a downpour and no washing. The hostel machine had broken down but our man took it all home and presented me with a warm bag of freshly washed kit (softener and everything mate…..).

Whilst waiting I was able to grab a breakfast fit for kings. Two sausage and egg muffins, a Costa coffee and a very fragile umbrella from Tesco express … GOLD.

Before we start, can I thank Dave and Julie from Liverpool whom I met yesterday. A lovely couple who generously donated to the charity and also sat and listened to me after all my £1.99 pints. To Raymond also, who I met this morning walking his dog, (well actually sheltering from the rain). It has been incredibly rewarding meeting so many genuine and generous people.

So, the weather was rubbish as I headed out of Cumbria and in to Lancashire. Probably apt as my memories of the three years I spent in Lancashire are mostly wet.

The canal started as a flat section on the map having dried up many years before. There were odd bridges in fields and sometimes the path disappeared – the worst being a corn field with no discernible path and plenty of stinging nettles to itch my legs.

Eventually I reached the start of the canal at Stainton but it was with a cough and a splutter really as it it was cut off and dissected numerous times by the M6. Luckily I had my headphones on and the rugby to listen to to drown out the road.

It wasn’t until I got to Tewitfield that the canal started properly. I couldn’t help thinking as the cars and lorries hurtled by that the pace and silence of the canal as once was has gone forever. Sad that the locks are now long forgotten and overgrown – I’m sure life was very hard and tough and its easy for me to say as I settle down to my evening roast Pork but it’s gone forever (and there’s nothing wrong with a bit of romantic rambling).

Not much more to say about the rest of the day. It went on a bit, but I have another two days of it so there likely be more canal photos and I can’t afford to be bored yet..

Tonight, a surprisingly nice pub room, roast pork for dinner and a wingback chair to end the evening. Cigars anyone?