Cheltenhamto Pilochry day 3

We left Premier Inn after an adequate breakfast - not dissimilar to the evening meal but instead of non decript beer we had ditto coffee. We headed out into the Manchester rush hour but fortunately Robin had detected a towpath which we could follow for 5-6 miles missing motorway crossings and similar tourist sights. Instead we had narrow boats and wild life - lovely. We headed into the wind - as always- via Warrington and Leigh (coffee and very fruity scone stop - must be several of the 5-a-day !!). We had lunch in “scenic” Blackburn - a place that has a Wilco on the main street must have problems!! - but the cafe and waitress were lovely. As the wind became slightly more westerly we followed it over moorland and hills hills hills. Some of them rather challenging - espec into the wind!!! We arrived at our farmhouse destination in Slaidburn - one of the best places in the UK to do star gazing - just as the clouds were building up. No Milky Way tonight - but hopefully a beer or two will make up for it.  The sun has been out for most of the day and it has been a great but hard day - only 96 km but 1000 metres of ups - and the wind!!!! And tomorrow it will strengthen!!!! Why oh why oh .....