DAY 8 - HAWKSHEAD TO WARRINGTON

After leaving Dave and having had a chat to one of the bikers at the hostel, I managed to get motoring at about 8:50.

Having realised I would have to wait an extra hour and a half for the Windermere ferry, I decided to just go around the lake at the bottom and jump on the A-road running along the south of the Lakes.

Jumping on the A6 in Milnthorpe, I stayed on before joining the canal path not far from Morecambe. I followed it through the centre of Lancaster, until it became a narrow, thick gravel path which was awful for my bike. Again, I eventually joined the A6 and stuck with it all the way to Preston.

Having heard some more strange noises coming from my bike, I decided to take it in to Evans Cycles where I was told that I needed a new chain and cassette. The two spare parts I have…… at home!

They did say that if I took the bike and parts in to any of their stores, they would fit it for me for free. I’m thinking I will try and get it done in Bristol hopefully.

Back on the road again, I travelled south through Wigan and eventually to Winwick, near Warrington where, I met up with Jenni and our daughter for the first time in over a week. I couldn’t believe how much my daughter has changed in just a week. She had trouble recognizing me for the first five minutes but, when she finally did, everything was good in the world.

It’s going to be hard leaving my girls again tomorrow but, at least this time around, I’ll only have to wait until Saturday before I’m back with them for good. I really can’t wait!

END MILEAGE – 88.4 MILES