Slaidburn to Chester

Another long day (longer than calculated, Map reading course becoming essential). Woke early to find old lady sleeping outside door. Perhaps not the best thing to do in a hostel full off partially sighted people. Slaidburn to Preston made good time with the mist still in the valleys. Again, couldn't find suitable breakfast stop so sat on a bench in Preston, ate our sandwiches and then noticed a café 20 yards away. From Preston to Southport very flat past numerous market gardens with great soil. Cycled along the front at Southport and could see Blackpool in the distance. Through Liverpool used Sustrans route via railway lines and canals. Very scary especially through unlit tunnels. Even met a policeman (deja vous) who's job it was to specifically patrol the cycle path. This part of the route was about 10 miles longer than expected. Caught the Mersey Ferry at 4:30 and because of lateness and lack of map chose to follow main roads and green signs and made excellent time (Average speed 18mph, I love main roads). Reached Chester at around 6. Took a long time to find the hostel though. Despite the tiring day still had the energy to go to the cinema and watch Arnie in Terminator 3. "We Will Be Back". Dawn made excellent time to Chester and reached the city by about 10.30 and spent the whole afternoon site seeing.