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Days 7 to 9
Fownhope to Mobberley
Tuesday 11th June Fownhope to Brockton
Christine departed for Hinckley in the morning so we had a celebratory meal the night before, said our goodbyes and loaded up with all our kit for the first time. We started the day in a light drizzle which soon cleared although the sun didn't come out until the afternoon. The day's ride followed river valleys in the main so the ascents were not steep - the only time we got off to push our bikes was in the centre of Ludlow. Our first stop of the day was in Leominster where we had toasted tea cake and tea and bought sandwiches for lunch. We also visited the local library to update the blog - we couldn't manage to carry the computer with us on our travels. During the morning we heard our first cuckoo of the year - and it was June!
We took lunch in Luston and were puzzled about the occasional spots of rain - until we worked out that when the wind blew water was being blown off the tree under which we were sitting. Note that for the first time on the trip the wind was actually helping us on our way. At Ludlow we talked to a German cyclist who was possibly doing the end to end. He said he was 58 and thought we were about the same age - very nice of him! 
We did the proper thing and drank tea in DeGreys of Ludlow (yes they did let us in) and then continued through the lanes to Brockton and the B&B for the night. However, before arriving, we tried out our hand at a bit of shepherding. Three lambs had escaped and were in the road ahead of us. We pursued them round the corner to find a car blocking the road and a farmer standing at the open gateway - and in they went! A little further on we stopped in Tugworth for a bite of flapjack as a reward for all the hard work. We chatted to two farmers and then continued on our way up a short steep hill and down the other side. "But where is my jacket?" I heard TW say. He wearily retraced his steps to the village - but no jacket. He'd put it in his pannier!!
The stats for the day were 46.9 miles : 10.2mph : 2723ft climbed
Wednesday 12th June Brockton to Wybunbury
After a good nights sleep and with the wind behind us we sailed along at record speed. The terrain was much flatter which also helped. At Much Wenlock we stopped for food for lunch and TW also visited the chemist for more drugs - this time he persuaded the pharmacist that there was no need to see a doctor! We were now approaching the Cheshire plains, so the next two days would be much easier. 
At Sheinton we stopped to look at a church which had a very nice Norman door. The church was undergoing major renovation and we were invited in by the workmen to discover a church full of scaffolding. Sailed on towards Market Drayton stopping for lunch alongside a lake at Stoke Heath. 
At Market Drayton it was market day - I asked the directions to the library but managed to pick someone who was hard of hearing. Having found the library we edited the blog and proceeded to annoy a market trader by parking our bikes by his stall while we visited a cafe. With only two miles left to go it started to rain - but not too heavily - and we soon arrived at the farm where we had booked in for the night. Evening meal in the local pub was just over a mile away - but fortunately it had stopped raining by then. Emily was serving and when it came to pudding time I fancied the jam sponge which according to the menu only came with cream or ice-cream. I ordered the latter but expressed my dismay to TW while we were waiting that there was no custard option. When Emily reappeared with the order TW broached the subject of custard - it wasn't long before I had custard and ice-cream with my jam sponge. Thank you Emily!
The stats for the day were 47.5 miles : 11.4mph : 2227ft climbed
Thursday 13th June Wybunbury to Mobberley
Even flatter and even faster today - but it was a short day! We had arranged to visit Mike and Ellen's for dinner and to do essential washing. The day started with breakfast with a very chatty farmer in attendance. Fortunately by the time it got to the bacon and egg he informed us that he had his orders to leave us in peace. The breakfast room looked out over the garden in which a peacock was strutting up and down displaying his tail and a couple of Greater Spotted Woodpeckers (with other birds) were feeding on the nuts. The weather promised to be fine and the wind was aiding us on our way - great!
We stopped to buy sandwiches at Tesco in Crewe and were in Middlewich by 10.30 where a chap on a tricycle showed us where to get the best cup of tea. We had completed the ride by 11.30 - David and Stephanie, the owners of the B&B, had given us instructions on how to gain entry to the house even though they were out all day so we showered and then ate our lunch. Mike picked us up and we spent a leisurely afternoon in Macclesfield. The evening didn't go quite to plan! Jervis was unwell (put politely) just as we were about to eat dinner and later in the evening, after Mike had dropped us off at the B&B, he discovered on the way home that I had left my camera in the footwell of his car. He kindly returned with the camera much to my embarrassment.
The stats for the day were 24.3 miles : 12.0mph : 509ft climbed