Tarporley to Northwich - 12.7 miles

My last day on the road arrived and so having stocked up on supplies at the local Spar, I left Tarporley and was soon into rural Cheshire. The heavens opened in a torrential rain storm and soon I was bombarded with hail stones. Red soil from the fields was washed into the road making deep pools along the both sides. Cheshire is a real mix of those who struggle to survive and the most wealthy with large houses and two range rovers or Audis in the drive. Footballers and golfers are amongst those who live in the bustling villages. I pressed on and eventually arrived,

glad to get some lunch and pass the time of day with the locals. I am now planning next Septembers route which will take me via Lancashire to Windermere  in the Lake District. Let's hope it rains just a little less !

Wem to Tarporley - 23.4 miles

What a day, I was awoken early by the rain beating on my window and the train shaking the B and B . Breakfast was good and so out into the streets of Wem I went knowing it was to be a long day. Let's not mess around , weather forecasters lie. Showers is what they said but it was just wall to wall heavy rain. Another strange thing happened to me today which  has happened twice this week. I'm minding my own business when an elderly women pulls up  in a car and offers me a lift , usually in the wrong direction to where I am going. I have to explain that I am a walker and despite the evidence am doing this for "pleasure". Anyway after some hand gestures and my mime skills I usually manage to get rid of them. Unlike the Llama who greeted me and then tried to spit at me . In trying to avoid him I suffered a bit of camera shake. Anyhow after 23.4 miles in the pouring rain I am recovering with a pint of Black Sheep ale and all the pain seems a distant memory. Tomorrow is a short day 11 miles and it's

 back to Alison and Devon on Wednesday .

Lyth Hill to Wem- 21.3 miles

Had an excellent breakfast and discussed opera, the oil fields of Scotland, and of course the habits / rituals of the Long Distance Walker with other guests before hitting the road. Today was one of those days that start off in a positive manner only to slide rapidly downhill. By the time I got to Shrewsbury I could see how the die was cast. A new ring road meant my route into the town centre had changed and added a 1.5 miles to my route . Eventually I escaped  via the prison to the footpath out of the town that follows the river Severn. 

 This headed north with very few options but to follow a series of small footpaths across the countryside to join minor roads that would eventually lead to Wem. These were largely badly sign posted and maintained  and I soon found myself on the wrong side of a fence line  damp and dispirited. Did I mention it rained most of the afternoon .

The only thing that cheered me up was the sound of the Cuckoo calling across the fields. I got to Wem just after 5pm. Wem means marsh and is famous for sweet peas and the hanging judge Jefferys. Oh the other fact I can tell you is if you arrive on a Sunday after 5pm most places to eat are closed. At least the pub serves a decent glass of beer. All in all it was a frustrating  day but I got here safely in the end.

Stokesay Castle to Lyth Hill - 21.8 miles

When I woke this morning it seems that the weather forecasters were right and most of the rain had already fallen in the night. The sun was trying to edge it's way out from behind the clouds and I shared breakfast with a group of photographers .  After breakfast I hit the road and was soon into the hills. On approaching Little Stretton the sky suddenly turned dark and the rain really poured down requiring a sudden quick change into waterproofs. I munched a banana and composed myself as a resident

dog barked madly at me. I left him to carry on  barking and hid in a pub porch to try and read my slightly soggy map. The storm ended as quickly as it has started and I made my way to the path that took me over the Long Mynd and onto Lyth Bank. Numerous storms arrived and passed making the hills at first dark and them bathing them with light. My stop tonight is very comfortable just what I need after a hard day on the road.

Tenbury to Stokesay Castle -19.3 miles

At least this morning was bright and after a brief shower I set out for my lunching point of Ludlow. The wind blew strongly in my face all day but the sunshine made the walk very pleasant . On the way to Ludlow I passed many apple orchards with large clumps of Mistletoe  hanging from the branches. No wonder the Christmas Mistletoe sales are held in this area. I crossed a footpath to bring me into the centre of Ludlow and stopped for lunch before following a narrow road that leaves the town at the base of the castle . The road then passes the racecourse and over the hills until Stokeshay castle is reached. A peculiar mix of house and castle which is home to many Swallows and House Martins. Time for a shower before I walk to the pub!

A wet day on the road from Worcester to Tenbury 23.4 miles

I could not put it off any longer so after breakfast I headed out through the suburbs of Worcester and passed the county cricket ground . The lanes narrowed and I reached the Elgar museum via a very waterlogged footpath . The only thing that cheered me up during the constant rain was the sight of a beautiful male Bullfinch . There was lots of minor road walking today but the rain never really gave up for most of the way. At least there are some comforts. A hot bath and an excellent fish pie and glass of wine at The Ship Inn. It's not all bad. Let's hope tomorrow is a bit dryer though!