I arrived in Liverpool on Sunday May 12th and left on Wednesday May 15th. In the meantime, I packed in seeing as many people as possible and getting my tent aired and clothes washed. It was a hectic schedule and I was exhausted and ready for a ‘rest’ on the bike by the time I left 😉

I stayed with my friend Viv on Sunday and Monday. On Sunday evening I had dinner at my sister Helen’s house with my nephew Andrew and her friend Dave.

Monday May 13th

On Monday, I cycled down a rails to trails bike path that was a train track when I was a child living in Liverpool. I remember taking the train into Liverpool city center with mum. This path conveniently took me from Viv’s to Aunty Audry’s house. I spent a couple of hours having tea and chatting with Aunty Audry and Kingsley.

On the way back I got a photo of me by a tunnel under the old train track that I used to walk under regularly as a little girl.

After then off to Lark Lane for lunch with Viv and Peter.

In the evening I met my nephews Stuart and Andrew for dinner and then we went to Helen’s quiz night at the Childwall Abbey pub. It was a busy day! 😴

Tuesday May 14th

On Tuesday I left the hospitality of Viv and south Liverpool and went to see my friend’s mum in Woolton before heading to north Liverpool to see more friends.

Fortunately, my friend Ann happened to be visiting so I got to see her, too. I’ve known Mrs Harding since I was a teenager and met Ann at at Gateacre Comp. I always try to visit while I’m in Liverpool. We had a nice but short chat and a cup of tea before I headed out to get the train to Waterloo.

I cycled from Woolton to Liverpool South Parkway and hopped on the train to Waterloo to meet friends Pauline, Gillian, Mike and Wendy for lunch at a very nice cafe at the marina. It’s very easy to take a bike on the Merseyrail. 🚴‍♂️ 😀

Wendy had brought along another stuffy for my bike. After much discussion we named the new bunny Rascal, and he joined the well travelled Rosie for the rest of the journey.

After a delicious lunch I left the gang and headed to Formby to see another longtime friend Toni. My plan was to stay the night with Toni. We had a nice time chatting and drinking tea. Toni had a bath in her guest bathroom 🛀 I was very happy. We then went to a Thai restaurant for dinner.

Wednesday May 15th

I left the Buxton B&B after a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs on toast and headed east towards Ormskirk and Rivington to rejoin my route.

All in all it was a good detour to see my peeps!