TraceysTrek

What a gorgeous place Neston is, it’s full of beautiful buildings. It’s very affluent with huge houses and coffee shops. Note to self come back and visit this place.

I bought some rechargeable hand warmers which Bev and I tried out last night. She was so impressed with them that she took them to bed with her. Needless to say this morning they were flat and require recharging before I can use them for their intended purpose.

It was an early night last night we were in bed by 8:30 pm and I think I was asleep by 9.30 pm and I didn’t wake until seven this morning. I obviously needed the rest as I was very tired last night. 

I arrived at Neston in the dark last night and couldn’t really see anything over on the other side of the estuary but this morning I could see the lights across into Wales and across to Flint where I’ll be walking to today.

As the light improved, I could see the huge plumes rising from the industrial works on the banks of the River Dee.

Today I’ll be crossing the border from England into Wales. Can you believe it? 

It’s another of my significant events the first being Gretna and crossing the border into England, the 500 miles point, then Blackpool for the dancing, the Mersey ferry, and now today crossing into Wales. My next event of course will be Christmas and then New Year.

I decided to walk along the 368 cycle path along the side of the estuary. It’s a path but it was absolutely covered in sheep poo. I was just as well I had left Poppy with Bev otherwise it would’ve been an extremely slow walk because I would have be constantly dragging Poppy away from all of the poo.

The cycle route was really well used which was great. It skirted the edge of another firing range!

Crossing the border of course had to be celebrated by a little dance as it’s another milestone. I can’t believe I’m actually in Wales.

As I got closer I realised that the billowing plumes that I saw this morning were actually from the power station so they are steam.

I walked through a huge industrial estate. There were a lot of food related industries and a huge Toyota plant.

I had to negotiate a flooded area underneath a bridge which was a bit tricky. Thank goodness I had my waterproof socks on. However, I did get my shoes a little bit wet.

I could hear, the fizz and crackle of the electricity in the air from the big pylons it’s as if they’re talking to each other. Perhaps they’re talking to the huge field of solar panels that’s on the opposite side of the fence!

I met it with Bev and had a big all day breakfast to refuel for the next half of the day. Of course she couldn’t help herself from buying me this!

This afternoon I walked on cycle path number five which also forms part of the Welsh Coastal Path. Another milestone.

From a distance I thought this was a tree sculpture and then I realised that there were actually squirrels feeding on it.

I called into an Asda express at a petrol station to buy a packet of sweets and the young lady who served me asked me ‘Is that all, did you have any fuel?’ I said definitely not, no fuel, and I showed her my card and gave her a little heart. It did make me laugh.

Soon enough I was back on the road but this time I’ve got a pavement. Now a decision needed to be made. Did I divert off and walk around the sewage works or continue on the road. I elected to stay on the road on the pavement.

The road was very busy, it’s incredible really the amount of traffic that there was and this is just the road through Flint. So this must be the local traffic because the A55 is the big bypass around it. I hope I’m not going anywhere near that.

Also, as I’m walking on the pavement it’s a bit disconcerting having a traffic coming up behind you. I’m so focused on having the traffic facing me when I’m walking. Perhaps I need to switch sides of the pavement. Also, I’m not used to crossing these little side roads and find myself looking both ways several times before I’m confident enough to cross.

I took a fleeting visit to the remains of Flint Castle on the banks of the River Dee. You could clearly see the remains of the moat.

Another executive decision. I skipped a little bit around the castle area and stuck to the cycle path number five because it was getting quite dusk already and I still had about an hour and a half to walk. I didn’t want to get caught out on the marsh path in the dark.

Judging by the amount of cars that are parked on the roads around the industrial state business must be thriving. Which has to be a good thing.

After my earlier stint walking on the road, it was nice to be back in the woods on a tree lined path.

Then this led right onto the banks of the River Dee. It was beautiful walking right at the side of the coastline.

In the middle of nowhere, or so I thought, I came across as my grandma would say a ‘courting couple’ getting a bit close and personal on a bench! There was a little bit of an embarrassed look from both parties as I walked past!

I knew it was gonna be a close call this afternoon walking the last couple of hours but I needed to catch up a bit of time so had to break into a little bit of a trot every so often! This is becoming a theme.

I organised for Bev to meet me but she went to where I was when I sent the message and not the appointed pick up point! Then even though I was in a high viz jacket with two green and one blue flashing lights didn’t see me she drove straight past me and I had to run after her when she stopped at red traffic lights and open the door of Priscilla and jump in!!

Eventually we managed to explain ourselves at Asda and parked up for the night. Not before eating at McDonalds at a crazy busy time, or is it always like that?

It was only tonight that I discovered that Bev has been unlocking the doors on Priscilla when she thought she was locking them!

Best bits: walking on the banks of the Dee

Worst bits: waiting for my all day breakfast and feeling chilly before bed

Distance: 20.9 miles