Lejog day 16 Adlington to Garstang

 

Yet another sunny day, warm but not overbearing as we were riding into an easterly breeze which kept us relatively cool.

This was a second day of navigating through and around Lancashire towns. Today we decided to change the route we'd originally planned. To avoid busy A roads we found alternative quiet lanes which involved a bit more distance and ascent but kept us out of the way of the manic motorists we'd experienced yesterday.

The first ten to twelve miles was peaceful. Quiet lanes, lovely villages and great views - Pendle Hill in the distance (ever heard of "The Witches of Pendle"?).

Then we got to the edge of Preston where it all changed! Thankfully there was a good system of cycle paths that saw us through the worst of it.

On the outskirts of Preston we spotted a park with benches so we stopped here for lunch. As we were sitting there a group of schoolchildren came by wearing elephant masks. They were followed by many more groups all with a very good adult to child ratio. We deduced that the children all had special needs and they were out for a stroll in the park.

There was a straggler who went on a sit down strike! The lady looking after him was very patient. She tried all manner of tactics to get him to move but nothing worked. Soon another group came along. The lady said,  "Get up and hold Millie's hand". He did! It was a case of Millie to the rescue! It lasted for about twenty yards and then he sat down again. There were now two ladies on the case trying to get him on his feet and moving. It didn't work. In the end he was given the option of going back to school. That did work so he was last seen heading back with two ladies in the direction from whence he came.  We had to admire the patience and calm handling by the adults in charge and wondered whether they were enjoying their job today.

From the park we rode along the A6 to Garstang for our overnight stay at the Royal Oak. Tomorrow we hope to arrive in Cumbria.