Day 41: Ainsdale to Seacombe via Liverpool

After a quick chat and some breakfast, we loaded up the washing that Di had kindly washed dried and folded. And then we were off.

It was lovely to see Di and catch up. It’s quite awhile since we seen each other. She’s the perfect hostess.

Back in Ainsdale on the beach this time I walked on the beach rather than the sand dunes as the tide was out. What a vast expanse of beautiful sand. However, the start point to the beach was full of dog s**t. What an absolute disgrace for dog walkers every where, especially when there are lots of bins provided. Of course that meant Poppy had to be on the lead almost the entire time.

Walking on the beach set me thinking that for some people it’s a playground, others it’s a running track, bridal way or a place to contemplate. I guess there’s something different for everybody. I used it today to take photos of Poppy.

As I’m walking around the coast, I have noticed the change in accents. Obviously I started off in Glasgow with Glaswegian accents, then into Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway and Cumbria and now I’m back to the familiar Scouse accent of Liverpool. Angela and I lived in Liverpool for seven years and we loved it.

I met Tee & Amie on the beach. I was Tee’s birthday and she wasn’t going to do any jobs today. I hope it worked out for you.

Another MOD firing range and danger area. I did a little dance on the path in front of the sign.

After another 3 hour walk this morning it was a stop at Crosby Coffee. I had a nice cuppa and cinnamon roll and received some donations from lovely people there. Thank you very much.

I walked past some workmen with hedge trimmers and a trimmers cutting back a whole vast overgrown area. It reminded me of when Angela organised for everybody to help Helen and Brian sort out their garden.

When I used to run, which now seems like a long time ago, I used to have days when the scenery went by quite quickly and other days where it felt like I was running in slow motion. During my trek so far, I’ve had days like that and this afternoon seems to be in slow motion. Walking seems to be going very slowly. Perhaps it’s because the tide is out and it’s a vast expanse of sand, not quite looking the same, but it doesn’t seem to be moving past very quickly at all.

I was looking across the Mersey and thinking ‘that’s where I’ll be this evening’ and then in the distance I can see the coastline of North Wales, which is where I’ll be at the weekend!

I got my first glimpse of Anthony Gormley statues which looked fantastic. Then as I got closer the impact of them was amazing. One had a seagull on his head! Of course I had to. Get up close and personal and I did a little dance with one.

Another stop to refuel with Bev and Poppy. Flipping heck, my watch had gone flat again. I hoped that my ring would work, but I also started a recording on Strava.

Now I was really in a big city. I could smell and taste the pollution from the four lanes of fast relentless traffic. The noise the roar of the engines and the size of the vehicles coming along to the docks was in complete contrast to the relative tranquillity walking along the beach this morning.

When Angela and I first moved to Liverpool we lived in Bootle as we worked at Walton and Fazackerley hospitals. We experienced the smell of molasses from the docks on a daily basis. I didn’t smell anything today.

The coastal path took me along the edge of the docks. There were many grand Victorian red brick buildings and big red brick walls.

As the dusk turned to dark some of the street lights went off! The road was super busy but there was only me walking! There was the occasional cyclist but the docks on the whole were pretty closed down for the night. Loads of lorries were parked up for the night. The size of everything made me feel very small.

Then in the dark I came across an accident, someone had fallen off or collided with an electric motor scooter. Fortunately somebody was already attending with a first aid kit and foil blanket.

It made me consider my feelings about walking in the dark. Did I feel safe? Or vulnerable? I guess there are many different hazards and I’m sure I will encounter more on my journey.

As I was in Liverpool I decided to listen to a Beatles playlist. As I got closer into town I passed what will be the new Everton football stadium and the exhaust building for the Wallacy tunnel! Then in the distance I saw the iconic Liverpool Tower and Liver Building.

Here many of the old docks warehouse buildings are being made into luxury waterfront apartments

In the past the old dock warehouses must have been dominant on the skyline whereas now they have been replaced by huge modern buildings in the city Centre. The enormous modern tower blocks almost blocked the view of the iconic buildings.

I started recalling memories of our time in Liverpool. Fireworks and drinking and eating at the Albert Dock, missing the QE2! So many great memories.

Then here I was, ready to get the Ferry across the Mersey. I was buzzing with excitement. The journey was short but sweet. I enjoyed every minute of it singing away to myself ’Ferry across the Mersey’. Tourists eh!!