As everyone else got such an early start I headed to Liverpool for a few hours. switched to City Radio & was easy to reach Albert Docks as unlike London there's plenty of helpful signage. Had a failed (got either blank looks or complicated 'do you know where xxx is' directions) wander round the shops, via the Superlambbananas, in search of shakes to boost the dwindling supplies of some of the riders headed back to the pier for the ferry 'cross the Mersey trip. You can get off on the other side and do interesting u-boat tours but I just had time for the round trip with commentary - started with the song!
Can't decide whether I like the accent or not but 30 kids running around shouting wasn't ideal. Spent my time on the first leg walking to whatever bit of the ferry they'd just left! Aside from that and the wind was good and had lovely views of the skyline, even taking in New Brighton (no pier) on the other side.
Apart from Bootle, Liverpool is a lot nicer than expected and didnt see a single shellsuit!
Made the decision to take a slower route than the M6 and drove through Southport before stopping in Preston for lunch. The city centre is a thoroughly depressing place so ate quickly before heading for the motorway and the cottage. Almost went to Kendal for mint cake but decided against it in the end.
Switched to Lakeland Radio in Cumbria- no mention of kitchenware.
The view from the road was pretty good but even better on the hill to the cottage and kept stopping on the narrow lane for pictures.
Once I'd worked out the right cottage (next doors springer spaniel probably not included in the price) I waited for Yorky to arrive and his feet to thaw before we headed for mammoth shop. Got a free tussauds ticket but if you have to spend over £200 (still forgot a couple of things) for 1 ticket to Thorpe Park is that not a rip-off?!?? Unless prices have risen recently?
Considering it's a rest day a lot of exercise has happened - Yorky's run, Nige giving Bianca her daily exercise & me dragging Andrew out for a short walk! Afternoon mostly consisted of Mary arriving, route plotting, icing sore knees and bike cleaning in the rain.
Not sure what Lancaster has to offer but the station isn't the best or warmest place to spend an hour!
Have definitely enjoyed driving up the country and getting a taste of places I'd like to see more of (Cornwall, Wales amongst others) and some I'd rather forget (Runcorn & Preston stand out). Impressed myself with not really managing to get lost apart from when trying to find Penzance station - who needs satnav?! Took a mere (for me) 700 photos and the unedited selection is a slideshow waiting to happen on Tom's laptop!
Looking forward to sleeping in my own bed (for a few days anyway til sussex based camping) and getting some exercise after a week of mostly sitting. Not much looking forward to first 5 day working week in a while... Semi expecting a phonecall from someone who's cycling down a hill and can't talk other than a mileage/ time guesstimate)
Hoping that the rest of the trip goes well and the weatherman was wrong about windy Monday!
As Jerry Springer would say - take care of yourselves, and each other. And watch the bananas!!
The Transporter
Location:Speedin towards London town
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