After the transfer day to get from Dublin to Liverpool I am ready to start the English section. I have one day available, tonight I will fly back from Manchester Airport. I am a true early bird so I am very early at the starting point in Liverpool Port.

02.30am start in Liverpool

The first kilometers I cross the city center where there several paople on the street; but they have not finished their previous day. After a few kilometers the signs for the Pennine Trail are easy to be found; they are made for hikers and cyclists, and consequently they are big and situated in advance to crossings and turnoffs. Very convenient! After 12km I reach the main longdistance cycling path.

after 12km the Trail joins the longdistance cycling path

It is 5.10am and there already people riding their bike here; looks like commuters on their way to work. The next 5 or 6km are straight ahead. After that some very busy roads must be crossed (all facilitated in a safe way, but very unpleasant), and finally the road along the runway of Liverpool Airport needs to be passed. After walking several hours in quiet and silence this is really horrible! That all changes all of a sudden after the village of Hale is passed, after 22km. The Trail follows the banks of the River Mersey. The views are nice, in between some small rain showers. I enjoy the silence and the view over the muddy waters of the river. The next section is 8km along a straight canal; easy, comfortable but boring. It is a tiresome section. Partly because the road is very comfortable to walk on; there is no need to watch your feet, so you look more to the horizon than usual and consequently you start whishing it would come faster to you.

beautiful, peacefull & boring

The final km’s to Warrington are offering a bit more variety, fortunately. In Warrington I finalize my hike for today, after 42km. I have a bus to catch to the airport, and a plane to catch. I do have some hours left before those deadlines are due but I decide to stop now, when my feet and legs are not completely worn out. It’s nice for a change, being able to walk the last stretch to the busstation in stead of stumbling. Perhaps I should keep that as my approach to all the stages in the English section 😉 

hahaha, of course not; also in my English section of the E8 there will be some big days!