Day 24 - Home Fires Burning

 

After Monday night's celebrations in Malpas, I still managed to rise early enough to take advantage of breakfast before dragging Suzanne out of bed to take me back to Grindley Brook, about three miles past the start of the Sandstone Trail.

The weather was set fair and I threw caution to the wind and walked gaiterless for the first time in a week or so. The first few miles are along the Shropshire Union Canal and I was suprised just how soft and muddy the towpath was. Things became deeper and stickier as I turned into the fields and remained pretty churned up all the way to Delamere. The worst patches were around gates and stiles, where there was often a bovine welcoming committee, as you can see above. (Fortunately, the only cattle I saw were dairy cows, with no calves in the field. I am reasonably happy to mix in with these gals, who seldom pay me much attention and just continuing filling their compartmental stomachs.) It was impossible to keep socks dry and trousers clean. Another job for Suzanne.

I presume it is farmers who are responsible for maintenance of paths on their private land and would guess there is little motivation for them to spend money that would encourage more people to walk on their property. It is pretty clear to me that some farmers are very much anti-walker but by failing to clearly sign paths, or keep them in good repair, they are more likely to have people walking in the wrong places. 

The Sandstone Trail takes you past Michael Owen's plush horse racing stables at Manor House and then on to Peckforton and Beeston Castles. I met the family again at Beeston for a late lunch and by the time I reached Delamere it was 6:15 and I'd covered 25 miles. I'd also encountered a contingent from Sandbach Rugby Union Club as well as a West Ham fan (not many of them around), who was filming his walk for his YouTube channel, North Wales Walkalong. We reckon both West Ham and Wolves are safe from relegation. That'll come back to haunt us.

So, for the first time in nearly four weeks, I'm back home with my comfy slippers on and feet up by the fire (well, radiator, and I haven't put that on). I knew I'd lost weight whilst walking but was surprised to see it was as much as 1st 4lbs! I simply can't eat enough to replace the calories I'm burning! My weight has barely changed over the years although my seemingly slim frame was reportedly a few pounds overweight, in any case. I'll just start having pies for lunch - luckily, I'm heading for Wigan in a couple of days.

And just to whet your appetite for tomorrow - Stats Day!