Day 73 – Kents Bank to Flookburgh

To complete the few miles outstanding from day 72, Ben and Gary leave Euston at 3:30 pm and John leaves New Street (having re-delivered a car to John Jr in Birmingham) at 4:15. All very unusual. However, rendezvous is duly effected at Preston in time for the connecting train to Kents Bank where we arrive just before 7 o’clock and find the now one month old platform shelter to be still in situ. Two immediate decisions are made. First, despite the deleterious effect on our average daily mileage, the next couple of hours will count as day 73 rather than as a mere supplement to day 72. Second, we’ll take the optional diversion from the official Cumbria Coastal Way to sample the supposed delights of walking around Humphrey Head. And, as it transpires, any delights have to remain “supposed” because, after a half mile stroll down the east side of the Head, we are forced by the tide to retrace our steps back up the shore path and to complete our evening stroll by following a farm track and road to a junction just outside Flookburgh, a small village on the outskirts of Cartmel. Our overnight stop there is the Hope and Anchor pub, where sandwiches have been prepared for our arrival. Along with the customary liquid refreshment, they are very welcome and, despite our relatively short period of walking, we don’t dally in the bar too long before retiring for the night.