Day 6 Nantwich to Milnthorpe

Saturday morning and again we rose to a beautiful sunny morning in Cheshire. I could see the wind was going to be behind me, as I was walking Monty. The lady who owned the site very kindly offered to was and dry all our laundry as they didn't have the facilities for campers. It was really good of her and saved us a lot of trouble.

Helen, Steve and the Twins Ben and Tim. Fantastic.

It was going to be another monster ride up to Cumbria so Neil had very kindly offered to help with the first stop arrangements to give Rosemary time to do some shopping and get things organised with the van and further stops. I set off hoping to meet Neil at Standish which was the other side of Wigan. I had to negotiate Warrington and the M56 and 62 corridor which is very built up. i had not been looking forward to this part of my journey ever since I started planning the route. There was no avoiding it so I headed straight up the A49. Just before I hit Warrington I saw a car in a layby with some people waiving banners. I wondered what that was all about as I rode past then realised it was my mates Steve and Helen and the boys. They had again been tracking me (and i think had talked to Neil too) so knew where I wold be. I cannot tell you what a great feeling it gives you to see your friends cheer you on. I was made up and hugged them both. I had to press on, but they said they would meet me further up the road somewhere.

It's hard this Lejog business

I eventually got to Standish and realised I had miscalculated the milage to their. I was tired and in need of a break so when i got to Neil (in his splendid new camper - sorry motorhome) I was very grateful for the sit down. Neil had made me bacon and mushroom butties and I ate two (greedy pig) whilst luxuriating in the palacial surroundings. It was again really good of him to put himself out for me. I am very lucky to have such good friends.

From Standish I headed for Preston continuing on the A49. Just before Preston I noticed a bike shop and popped in as I wanted some more cycling socks (i was running out fast as I need 3 changes a day). I was served by a young lad who asked me where I had cycled from. At last I could tell someone "Oh Lands End" Thinking I would get at least a little bit of kudos. Nothing! oh well I thought! Then He asked me where I was heading. "err John O'Groats" I replied, thinking that might at least stir him to say something positive? "where's that then" At this point the shop owner had come over and gave the lad a look not dis-similar to Captain Mainwaring did to Corporal Pike in Dads Army.

Brian, Norma and Anthony Williams at err...Lancaster. You guys really cheered me up

I met Rosemary just after Preston which had ben easier to negotiate than I had expected and Neil had joined us too. It was quite a little gathering of Campers (sorry motorhomes) and we a good chat as i stuffed my face with cake. We said our goodbyes to Neil and I headed off up the A6. There was an aweful long way still to go and I got my head down for Lancaster. As I approached the town I stopped to take a picture of the City sign and up drove Steve's Mum and Dad Brian and Norma and his brother Anthony. I couldn't believe it. I was gobsmacked at the support I had got (and the two extra large Snickers bars - or marathons in old money). That meeting spurred me on to Hest bank where I met Rosemary again for a quick brew and a sit down. The weather was drawing in and I needed to get on so I said my goodbyes and headed for Milnthorpe. I pedalled in to Fell End Caravan park at nearly 8pm and was cream crackered.