Left Peter, Julie, Simon and Abby and their 4 Labradors in Acton (Nantwich) after some nutritous poridge, and headed off across the flat bit of Cheshire towards the flat bit of Shropshire. Really gentle farmland sprinkled with ancient lakes (Meres).
I managed to cycle 64.5 miles which included Long Mynd just outside Church Stretton. Although Long Mynd was 'only' 1600 feet my GPS tells me that overall on Wednesday I climbed well over twice that. Found a friend when I stopped for lunch (see photo). Only real problem was my front de-railer cable snapped so I was only able to use lowest gears climbing Long Mynd - not really a hardship! Met a couple of walkers at the top, one had done LEJOG a few years back and suggested repairing the cable with an eletrical block.... After a long freewheel into Church Stretton and splashing out 99p later the block is fitted - and works!
The Youth Hostel at Wilderhope is a huge rambling Elizabethan masion, I was it's only guest so had a choice of the 75 beds. Angela (warden) cooks a mean sausage and mash, and I can recommend the local Shropshire Lass beer.
