Distance: 19.5 miles
Time: 8 hrs (including pub lunch)
Weather: Warm and sunny
Cumulative distance: 504.3 miles
A leisurely stroll, a pub lunch and a few extra miles.
The breakfast eggs were now available, but I opted for Shredded Wheat instead. Chris and Alison had agreed to join me for a more leisurely walk today, which had the added incentive of a pub lunch.
Before walking could commence, we had to position the cars at either end of the route. This entailed driving to Preston, leaving one car there, then driving back to Garstang, where I had finished yesterday. Consequently, it was after 10 o'clock before our boots touched the towpath.
We followed the towpath for 7 miles, entertained by the many mallard ducklings and young moor hens seeking parental security as we approached. We then left the canal for the final time and crossed fields then headed through a farmyard, before finally reaching our chosen pub, The Plough at Eaves. Another good meal and some Thwaites beer (Wainwrights and Lancaster Bomber).
We followed country lanes towards Preston, but I was beginning to feel guilty that I was pushing my hosts to half marathon distance and their less practised feet were starting to suffer. As Chris and Alison both had evening appointments, I decided to continue walking, thereby reducing tomorrow's mileage.
After a further 5 miles in the warmest conditions of my trip to date, I popped into the Longton Arms and had a refreshing iced coke. The bar staff enquired about my journey and kindly made a donation. They assumed that I was cycling and seemed surprised when I explained that I was on foot.
Chris collected from my latest destination and drove me back to their house, where we watched Andy Murray battle his way into the Wimbledon final.
fine hat Chris is wearing!
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