It was a lovely sunny day as i cooked breakfast for joy and Eileen, bacon, eggs and toast. It was good to be back in a kitchen again even for such a simple meal. After breakfast joy and Eileen kindly dropped me back near the bar we'd met and i set off on what was to be probably my longest hike of the trek to date.
With my pack on my back i set off to follow the river to Glasson, it was a lovely day and an easy hike away from the city. Once beyond the concrete jungle and back to the solitude of my journey i made quick progress following the sea defences to glasson and then round to pilling.
I was really beginning to feel like i was back in England and for some reason felt restricted. Unable to simply follow my nose i had to make sure i wouldn't be trespassing or infringing on anyones privacy. It felt uncomfortable.
It wasn't long before i would reach an estuary that i had been warned was particularly dangerous with fast currents, not that i was ever really phased. Before i went to make the crossing though i stopped at knott end cafe to meet with paul moon a local councillor who ordered me a slice of the cafes legendary mirange pie and a coffee.
It was a brief stop but also a welcome one taking a moment to rest my legs and take the weight off my shoulders. I was soon back to focusing on the task at hand. I headed down to the slipway where the ferry crosses from knott to Fleetwood. The tide was almost entirely out, my timing had been perfect. Before unpacking hoolley i studied the estuary and watched the flow, it was running quickly in a narrow channel but absolutely nothing to worry about.
With hoolley set I began my crossing heading up stream to begin and then allowing the current to bring me up on the sandy shore just down from the lifeboat station. Absolutely no problem and free from incident.
Looking at my watch I'd covered a days hike before 4:30. I'd intended to stop at Fleetwood but chatting with the guys it turned out Blackpool was a mere 10 more miles and that it was an easy hike. I estimated I'd probably make it by 8:30 / 9pm at the latest.
Before setting off the guys at Fleetwood station gave hoolley a good wash down with hot water and soap. Bless them and I'm sure hoolley enjoyed it to.
Sinking a coffee i left the guys at Fleetwood i began the hike to Blackpool. Leaving the promenade i headed to the firm sandy shore and lost in my thoughts began to hike. After several miles i began to notice constructionwork ahead. As i got closer i could see that work had begun on repairing the promenade and sea defences.
With large boulders piled along the beach, warning signs and having to keep an eye out for heavy plant machinery i began to wonder how safe i was. I continued on though with extra vigilance. After about an hour i saw a land rover heading my way. I knew it was for me. As it approached it slowed and pulled up alongside the window wound down. Sure enough the safety crew had been sent over to escort me to the promenade for my safety.
Thankfully they allowed me to hike off the beach myself and up on the prom i continued towards Blackpool. A few miles later i could see the famous Blackpool tower and the first of its three piers. Even though my legs and shoulders were killing me i kept going. For a while it seemed that no matter how many miles i hiked the pier simply didn't get any closer.
It was around 8:30 when i finally saw the lights of the boathouse ahead. A feeling of elation filled me.
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