So near yet so far

The final day before getting home
Distance travelled: 43.8 miles
Time in saddle: 3hrs 46 mins
Overall distance travelled: 5323.8 miles
We had a great night last night; Kevin, Gary and myself were quite tiddley and belly laughed at some of the old story, which we’ve probably heard before but who cares?
I shared a room with Gary, my twin brother, the first time in many years. He shouts in his sleeps and farts for England. I found myself giggling late into the night and early morning. We both woke up really early. I can’t sleep at the moment because I am really excited about going home. Kevin, Marie and Gary went home and I took my time getting ready. I need to really chill out today because I can’t get to Warrington until 12.00noon tomorrow. As I began cycling north again I saw a road sign for Warrington, it was 50 miles away. I felt really weird. I had thought about it for so long and now it was here…. it was like a dream. I actually laughed and started to sing as I cycled. I don’t know what the passing motorists must have thought. Bizarrely as I was cycling past a wood in the rain, it was only a passing shower, a sheep dog that had been lying in wait under a tree suddenly went for me. It must have thought I was a sheep or something. A size nine cycle shoes on the nose made it change its mind and it ran off barking. All this way and I nearly get bit a couple of miles from home…..as they say “it’s never over till the fat lady sings”
I cycled into Whitchurch, which is a lovely historic town and only about 35 miles from Warrington. I decided to do my washing and sought a Launderette. The place was called ‘Bubbles’ and unlike anything I have seen before. It was a launderette with two really comfortable settees in the rest area. The woman who ran it was really nice and even made me a cup of tea…brilliant. I stripped to my shorts and then put my waterproof jacket on so I could wash as many clothes as possible. I felt like that guy in the jeans advert from the 80’s. You have to be a certain age to remember it. I didn’t think the woman was watching but she said….”oh you’ve got a lovely tan”….cheeky lady, but lovely. After about one hour all my clothes were clean and I was ready to go. I went to a local pub for a pint and something to eat. It was lovely, down a side alley and out of the way. It’s amazing what gems there are only a short distance away from my hometown. It’s something that I need to look at when I get home.
I looked to get into a hotel about fifteen miles away from Warrington in a place called Tarporly, a lovely English village but….you guessed it…full, every hotel in the village. I cycled on and was a little worried that I was fast approaching Warrington. I’d promised that I wouldn’t go home just yet so I was desperate for something to happen and it did. The Holly Bush, eight miles away from Warrington on the A49 is lovely and very reasonable. The room is very nice, cosy and has a great atmosphere. Maybe I am just so pleased to be nearly home. I was speaking to a couple of people today, Daniel and Thomas and my brothers. I can’ believe that I have nearly finished the trip. Tomorrow will be a really good day. It’s one I’ve been looking forward to for ages and I am going to relish every moment. The places I have visited have been unbelievable; the people I have met have been incredibly kind and helpful and the messages I have received along the way heart warming and inspirational. The adventure has gone beyond all my expectations and although there were times when I felt down I have not regretted one single thing. The best is left until the last. As I approach the barracks tomorrow I will be thinking about everything that has happened over the last two and a half months. If I do get upset, and I hope I don’t, it will be tears of joy and relief that I have arrived home safely and probably the realisation that the adventure is over.