Hullo. How are you? I hope you are having a good day. I’m Mark and I’m walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats…
Despite staying in the very centre of Wigan, it was only a minute or two after stepping from the hotel that I found myself walking along river banks and through beautiful parkland. I could tell from the off this was going to be a fabulous day.
The paths from Wigan town centre wind through woodland and up and down valleys, with small rivers running creating perfect playing conditions for the many young children who were enjoying the parks with their parents.
So the first few miles of the day were a delightful wander through Haigh Woodland Park and onto the Leeds and Liverpool Canal once more. It was such a great way to start the day.
I followed the canal for a few more miles before leaving it at the entrance to Wigan Golf Club, which I walked across and beyond into Arley Wood.
The trials through the woodland are fantastic and dramatic with steep descents and ascents adding to the fun. Now a little further from Wigan, the local walkers had all gone and I had the forest entirely to myself.
After enjoying the woods, I climbed a hill and was suddenly ejected from the trees and onto moorland, with a flat and easy walk to and through the village of Adlington.
Heading east from Adlington, I followed pleasant paths through fields and woodlands again. Walking past the village of Charnock Richard sent me into a daze of nostalgia – when I was at university, I lived with a really nice guy from Charnock. Passing the village brought him, and those days decades ago, back to mind.
The countryside in this part of the world is gorgeous and I walked dreamily for hours, taking in the views and enjoying the sounds of the birds and the breeze in the trees.
Before long, I had walked today’s 15 miles and was arriving at Farington, where is had a nose around the village and headed for the hotel.
The Day 30 Vlog
Fundraising for MacMillan Cancer Support
As I walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats, I am hoping to raise £10,000 for MacMillan Cancer Support, who do such a wonderful job of supporting families through the most difficult times. If you are able to spare any amount and would like to donate to MacMillan, please do so through my Just Giving Page.
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