Day 31 – wet but fun

Leigh to Warrington. Circa 20 miles, circa 500 ft of elevation, 42,551 steps

Joining by special envoy for two days only was Ged Brannan flying in from NY hoping for sun and mountains and getting wet, flat Midlands grey.

We had organised a treat of a day walking around the industrial heartland. We crossed the Mersey, the M62 (twice) and the Manchester shipping canal (twice). All accompanied by drizzle, torrential rain and sunshine. We had it all….

It was difficult to get too excited about the walking but the chat was great and after a week of walking on my own along a tow path, I struggled to talk and navigate. Single tasking is challenging enough so add some rain and a few confusing paths and we did make a few wrong turns

About lunchtime and just after we crossed the Manchester shipping canal the heavens opened at the same time as doing a couple of miles on the side of a busy road. We had little sympathy from the drivers and Ged got a full drenching from a large puddle and passing truck driver.

So we sought refuge in a pub and ordered a heavy round of teas and chips. Crazy kids……

The weather improved after our break and we hit the Trans Pennine way – which sounds far more exciting than it actually was. The biggest excitement was this flooded path and we all recited the ‘Bear Hunt’ story as we went ‘through it’. What fun!!!!

The sun was shining so we stopped for a quick coffee and it then immediately chucked it down with rain. Such fond memories of those wet picnics when I was young………. just look at that quiff Ged!

All in all it was not the most exciting walking, the weather was rubbish but the company was great and we did 20 miles (I think, as I forgot for the first time to turn my garmin on) with relative ease. And to end the day after checking in to our Holiday Inn – what a treat. As we walked over the motorway towards our harvester dinner at the Juniper Farm pub we had a romantic sunset.. how lovely.

Tomorrow we have the gang walking as we are joined by Dickie who is spending a day reminding himself why he no longer lives here, and Kate, Evey and Gracey.

Can’t wait…..