Day 34 – two seasons in a day

Tarporley to Mulsford – 21 miles, 2,375 ft of elevation, 42,613 steps

Today started off glorious. A posh breakfast (of course) and sunshine from the get go put a spring in our step. We had, due to yesterday’s poor planning reduced our mileage today and we felt positive as we set off.

Rolling fields, lush with green grass, even an opportunity to help a couple get their canal boat through the lock (hang on a minute, I thought we had left the canals behind……). Even the mud did not dampen our spirits

And then, low and behold, we spotted a hill. With a castle on top (Beeston castle). The first bit of climbing we have had for days.

We walked across two ridges, both still on the Sandstone trail which was well marked and relatively easy going. Our pace was good and we eventually stopped for a quick lunch as we left the trail and started to make our own diversion towards Mulsford. It then most definitely took a turn for the worse and our afternoon became a catalogue of frustrations, mishaps, and observations that slowed our progress down to almost a crawl resulting in our arrival at our lovely B&B at about 6:15pm this evening.

1. We tried to cut across some farm tracks/paths which were not public and made us feel very uncomfortable as we strolled past farms houses and walked down private drive ways. Catherine thought we might get shot, certainly we were expecting to hear at any minute ‘get orf my land……,

2. When we eventually got to public footpaths no one had been on them for years and we had to fight our way through corn fields and over very overgrown styles.

3. Catherine fell in a ditch when hacking through a hedge and on looking up was greeted by a chorus of calves mooing appreciatively at her misfortune and (I have to say historical) mishap. Soaked to the skin I think is the saying

4. Whilst they do not look after their footpaths here, they do look after their houses and we were both amazed at the condition of these beautiful character houses and the new paint on all the windows. The Farrow and Ball salesman for the area must be congratulated (and have a healthy bonus and nice house himself). Almost every house had one of their funky colours on their new frames.

5. Someone is very pleased with themselves and wants us all to know they have run a marathon. Well done sir, but really? It’s not THAT amazing…..

6. After all that, and the torrential rain. We arrived at the most lovely B&B run by a Kate. We could not have asked for a better end to the day. Warm bath, wood burner, wine, dinner and cheese! Hurrah!

Tomorrow, we walk towards Chirk and ‘our’ start of the Offa’s Dyke trail. Very exciting and feels like we are trucking along and making good progress.