Day 7 Helsby to Kendal

After an early start leaving Helsby, we headed north west to Ellesmere Port which supplies all the aviation fuel to Manchester Airport. Huge roads and lots of fuel tankers piled past us, so we tried hard to stay on the cycle paths wherever possible. After many busy junctions we successfully navigated our way to the Mersey ferry that leaves Secombe. We even started singing "Ferry across the Mersey" but we only new the first verse and this time no recording you'll be glad to know. 

Boarded the 8.40 ferry and a very kind lady carried my coffee down the jetty whilst we stowed the bikes on board. The ferry only now runs in the morning so just time to get some photos. Luckily for us the ocean liner the Queen Mary 2 was birth in Liverpool and our ferry steered past her to give us a great view, what a huge ship!

After leaving the jetty we headed for Prince Albert Dock which was full of small sail ships and little shops and the Tate museum unfortunately all still closed so we headed to the Liver Building with its large clock faces and two liver bird statues over looking the Mersey River.

A Quick call home to Carol and Jeff and explained we had just seen their next cruise ship! Time to get going as loads of Americans were pouring off the Queen Mary 2. After a bit of navigating we found the A59 north which took us past the famous Aintree race course, too early for a quick flutter and keen to keep our shirts we sped past.

We then headed to Ormskirk at lighting speed, exhausted we decided to stop at a little ice cream shop and sat in the sun, a father and son Mr Wallis soon spotted our sponsor shirts and were very kind to donate to the BHF. We've both been very grateful for everyone's support over the last few days and weeks from family friends like Doreen & Earnest to work colleagues and complete strangers that have approached us to pledge money. Time to refuel we stopped for a quick lunch in Garstang and sat in the sun to enjoy our sandwich the road to Preston was very busy today but the great cycle lanes kept us apart from the traffic. Onward and forward were we're ahead of time and rode on to Lancaster for coffee, however on the approach Charlie noticed his back wheel had a bit of wobble so found a bike shop and turned out the back wheel bearing had broken. Made it to burton in Kendal on a repaired wheel and ordered a new wheel which we will collect tomorrow. 

Met up with Sarah, Josh and Annie at Overthwaite for dinner, Geoff, Carol also drove across from Long Green and we were joined by Rebecca, Edward and wee Elizabeth. Tomorrow we head to Gretna hopefully with bikes repaired!.