Sandown to Stornoway Cycle Ride......at last. By Mike Coleran: 09/16/12

Sunday 16 September 2012

Day Six

Sunday September 16th 2012

Heswall to Garstang

Mileage today -78

Total mileage so far - 434

I got soaked with rain today, and guess what? It was back home in Lancashire! I left my sister's house near Heswall and rode back down to the Wirral Way, a cycle/walkers route along the Dee estuary avoiding roads all the way to Hoylake. it then follows quiet roads around the coast passing through New Brighton and to the ferry terminal at Seacombe. I arrived just as the 0930 ferry was leaving! The next one was not for another hour so I rode on to Birkenhead ferry terminal and had a coffee whilst waiting. I also had a quick peek at a couple of German U-Boats...in the museum next door. It's only ten minutes or so across the river to Liverpool Pierhead so I stayed up on deck taking in the views. Just as we were arriving at the other side a lady gave me £2 for the BHF, quickly followed by another old lady giving me £2, then another....same thing. So, another six quid in the bag! Being a Sunday, Liverpool was quiet so I had no problem navigating out of the city. I noticed in the streets behind the Liver Buildings there were a lot of men in yellow reflective jackets on street corners. Curiosity got the better of me and I asked one of them what was going on. It turns out they were closing all the streets around there for a film crew to come in. They were going to remove the street signs and put up Russian ones, it was a film set in Moscow! My route took me along the Leeds to Liverpool canal for quite a few miles before joining the Trans Pennine Trail to Southport, a good 25 mile off road route. I didn't linger in Southport but stopped for a sandwich a few miles on, where the rain began. Gently at first, but it soon turned into steady, heavy rain which, despite my waterproofs, found its way in. A night at home though and a marvelous wife who had everything in the wash and a bath run for me in no time at all! I had trouble uploading my blog last night in deepest Wirral, maybe I will have more trouble further up the country, but don't worry, you will here from me! Not many photos tonight I'm afraid - combination of familiar scenes and poor weather. I'm sure there will be many photos towards the end of my trip!

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Day Five

Saturday September 15th 2012

Shrewsbury to Heswall

Mileage today - 84

Total mileage so far - 356

Last night Joanna and I were picked up by our friend Wendy who kindly took us down into Shrewsbury for a lovely meal, thank you Wendy! I said goodbye for now to Joanna at 8-30 this morning and headed off the seven or so miles to Shrewsbury in cool but sunny conditions. It had warmed up by the time I passed thought the town centre, but I took the wrong road and ended up having to divert across country to get back on track - an extra ten miles or so! Heading north all the way to Chester it was through pleasant, flat country. With high hedges lining the lanes there was not much to see, so I plodded on to Chester where I ended up spending more time than anticipated. The city centre was too crowded so I headed down to the river where I enjoyed a tray of chips followed by an ice cream whilst watching the boats in the sunshine. I then headed up the road and ended up watching the horse racing Chester racecourse of free! Outside the course of course. I wasn't sure how to get out of the city towards the Wirral without going on very busy main roads so I asked a couple of cyclists who were also watching the racing. What a stroke of luck! They were from the Wirral and were just about to head home. We hardly touched a road as they led me along canal towpaths and well surfaced tracks all the way to my destination. Steve and Linda were interesting company too! Thank you both. My sister Valerie was on her driveway to meet me and after showering and changing, Valerie, Syd and I went off for a very good meal at a local restaurant, joining up with other friends there. Although a day of mostly flat cycling, with 84 miles done, I was ready for my bed. Many thanks to my lovely big sis and brother-in-law for great hospitality.