Saturday 22 June 2013

John O'Groats to Lands End - update.

After a very pleasant stop in Alsager, at The Holly Trees Hotel, run by a very nice chap called Henry, we had a sizeable plod to Market Drayton to get done.

The Holly Trees was very nice, clean, comfortable. Very well run by Henry and Sarah Olliffe, and usually evening meals were on, but not yesterday. So, a cheap and cheerful pub down the road did the job. It was one of those chain types, small portions out of a packet, but it did the job.

The hotel was good though, and it was very interesting chatting with Henry about his various cycling exploits, with him equally interested in our big walk.

As I was waiting in the car park for bills to be paid, etc, before we left, two Aussie girls were packing up their car with loads of bags - over here to see relatives. A lovely little chat followed, always up for a laugh those Sheilas!

"look mate, we know we're rubbish at the mo, but please don't beat our cricket team 5-0, make it 3-1 with a wash out if yer can mate!"

Ha ha, made me chuckle rather!

Anyway, leaving at 9.50 a.m. we had to weave a curved path for 2/3 hours along the Staffs-Shropshire border, until we made it to relatively straight roads. Then it was a case of get your head down and get on with it, with 24 miles to plod to Market Drayton.

Well out of urbania now, the country lanes and much quieter 'B' roads were easy to walk, with much rolling countryside to look at.











 
The whole route took us in and out of Shropshire, as we got closer to Market Drayton, then it was goodbye to Staffs, and the last 7 miles or so going due West deeper into rural Shropshire.
 
We reached our destination around 6.30, a good 8 hours plus, and 24 miles plodded. Up to 615 now!
 



 
 
Ternhill Farm Hotel and cottage restaurant, very well run by Mike and Joanne Abraham.
 
This was a tad different from many of our previous overnight stops, and it was very nice indeed.
 
A little more expensive, but very comfortable and 'you get what you pay for!'
 
It also made a perfect place for Liz's hubbie Mark to join her, as well as shift our bags for a couple of days - cheers Mark!
 
The Ternhill, in my opinion, is excellent, and I thoroughly recommend it. Good rooms, good food, very friendly and welcoming, thank you!!
 
Today, we are off to Shrewsbury, a mere stroll of 16 miles.
 
Miklo on the plod  22.06.13
 
 
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