Day 5

Great Expectations

Route : Hereford - Ludlow - Shrewsbury - Whitchurch - Tarpoley
Distance : 87.95 miles
Average Speed : 13.8 mph
Time in saddle : 6 hours 21 minutes
Calories : 3140
Arse Condition : Crimson Circles of Satan

Good day for the boys, which got off to an uplifting start over breakfast at a local Esso station. Sammy, tucking into a Ginsters pork pie and a Fry's Peppermint Cream, was rendered almost helpless when he heard Johnny quietly ordering "a toffee crisp" in the background. That might not mean much to many of you, but suffice to say, John has form in this area.

Staying at The Swan Inn and a BIG BIG thank-you to Franc and June, and the staff, for their incredibly generous donations.

On leaving, Sammy was astonished to see a bizarrely dressed gent who bore a striking resemblance to none other than Charles Dickens. The description Sammy gave led me to share his amazement and thankfully they managed to get a snap of the eminent author before they left. I have added a photo of the genuine article and the imposter and, I'm sure that, like me, you really can't tell them apart.