GRETNA to WORCESTER

This year, the five Grumpies headed back from Scotland towards Bristol but used a couple of trains (we were not doing it as a charity challenge). Still it was expected to be about 280 miles and turned out at about 300 miles over six days despite 11 miles by train in a boring bit of Lancashire and a planned 70 miles or so from Worcester.
However only three (see photo) of the five made it as far as Gretna by train. Virgin Trains failed to allow the booked cycle connection at Birmingham New Street and the hour long delay so caused meant that two of us had to be content with starting the trip in Carlisle (NOTE: fair compensation now - mid September - received and will be shared between all Grumpies, who may even smile!)

Picture 2 shows how we dried out the maps after torrential rail on the way to Penrith. Sun and wind accompanied us over the Lake District via the surprisingly peaceful A6 and high tides greeted us at Morecambe Bay.

Day 3 got us to Crosby. On the way we took a train from Preston towards Ormskirk but stopped off at Rufford because I saw a National Trust symbol and hoped for lunch - too late it turned out - but a fine old Hall.
Then a rough (Ruff?) canal path took us south, eventually by minor roads and the Gormleys. (to be continued)

We had not aged a bit!