Today we were expecting the weather to be a bit kinder to us as we continued on towards Warrington. We were joined today by Greg, Helena and Nick – unfortunately Greg is injured so can’t walk but will instead be “looking after us”. Graeme had set an incredible bar last week so the pressure was on Greg.
We left Preston in the sunshine this morning and headed off towards Warrington.
On our way out of town, we spotted the Preston HSBC Branch so took the opportunity for a photo. The Angles (Germanic people who settled in Great Britain in the post-Roman period) established Preston; its name is derived from the Old English meaning “priest’s settlement” and in the Doomsday Book is recorded as “Prestune”. In the Middle Ages, Preston was a parish and township in the hundred of Amounderness and was granted a Guild Merchant charter in 1179, giving it the status of a market town.
The first few kilometers were through the Avenham and Miller Parks – very tranquil in the early morning sunshine and a great way to start the day.
We walked past the Lostock Hall WWI war memorial and then it was time for an ice-cream break.
We walked through a couple of nice villages – Coppull and Standish – before heading through Wigan. The walk into Wigan itself was very nice – tree lined avenues – but then the walk out of Wigan and towards Warrington was very different – very urban and somewhat rundown in places.
Then the moment came – 500 miles walked so far.
The weather gods certainly smiled on us today – sunny and not too hot and then clouded over this afternoon. Certainly we were not as exhausted today as we were yesterday (still tired though). Tomorrow sees us cross Cheshire and head to Whitchurch inn Shropshire – it will be a long day.
Another great milestone passed! Brilliant effort lads. All the best, Graeme