A Very Stressful Day

Leaving behind the pleasant green fields of the Cheshire countryside, Pat cycled through quite heavy rain for several hours. Even the maps in their watertight Plastic pouch, got wet. The temperature was down to 13 degrees too. Adding to the difficulties were the huge trucks that whizzed past him and then the traffic of Merseyside was, he says, "ferocious!" He describes crossing the Mersey at Runcorn as horrible. It did not help that, on the bridge there was a large sign declaring "45 casualties in 3 years." I too found the traffic and the numerous large roundabouts and Motorways quite daunting. And the shrieking sirens of several ambulances didn't help my peace of mind. So it was wonderful to spot in the streets of St Helens a familiar yellow-clad figure on a bike, consulting his map! We met up as usual for lunch and I booked in at a farm Band B near Longton slightly south of Preston. Pat continued on towards Garstang and phoned me re a pick up point - Nog Tow. Unfortunately it turned out to be virtually a non- place despite being on the map. Sat nav knew nothing of it and nor did anyone I asked. So some hours later we met and loaded the bike, I having wandered for a long time in the wilderness of frequent turning in narrow places, use of hazard lights etc etc." A Nog Tow moment " will no doubt enter the Fleming vocabulary!

You will be glad to know that we are both feeling much better after a delicious meal in Midge Hall, a delightful Lancashire country pub full of really friendly people.

I would also like to thank you all for your support: phone calls, texts, blog reading, blog commenting and prayers. So much appreciated. Please forgive the lack of personal response but I have my work cut out trying to do the blog each evening! At the moment we are sitting on the bed preparing for tomorrow. The minor roads are often not well sign posted so Pat has to be very familiar with his route each day. He rode 69 miles today and we are on track.