Day 6- Shrewsbury to Preston

Before we go any further, we need to express our gratitude to all the lads at Shrewsbury Fire Station, in particular, Green Watch and Red Watch. We were made to feel very welcome and it was a good night had by all. We discussed what time we would get up this morning, and we decided that it wouldn’t be before half 6. However as Shrewsbury is a 24hr station, at 05:30hrs this morning, they had a ‘shout’. All the lights in the station came on and the alarms were sounding. This turned out to be bad timing for Tris, as he had chosen that exact moment to get up and nip to the loo! He was like a rabbit caught in headlights as everyone woke up and thought he had set something off!

Half of the ‘Watch’ had gone to a barn fire, while the other half insisted on cooking our breakfast. They had brought extra just for us. Once again many thanks. We are finding it simply astonishing how total strangers are so willing to help us, by putting us up for the night, cooking food, or even just making a donation. I think that working for the police you get so used to dealing with all the bad people in the world, it’s strange to come across genuinely nice people!



We left just after 8 and embarked on the 80 or so miles to Preston.

Today was a little different as we were stopping in Warrington which is a good 30 miles before the finish in Preston. This meant piling into the van and driving back on ourselves. However, there was method in our madness as the kind people at the Village Hotel in Warrington were putting us up for the night. It was organised by the reception staff at the Village hotel in Dudley, which is on our beat. The Dudley branch have even chipped in and paid for our evening meal, which I must say, was delicious!

The route meant that for most of today, the boys would be following the A49, through Whitchurch, Warrington, Wigan and lots of other places that probably begin with W! We have increased the rest stops to every 15-20 miles, mainly just to give the lads a chance to have a stretch. They have clocked close to 400 miles now, and the aches and pains are becoming more noticeable. We are regretting not getting sponsored by ‘Deep Heat’ as we have gone through tins of the stuff! I am also worried for their mental state; Paul has started singing, while Dave has developed a fascination with photographing absolutely everything! They were stopped at traffic lights today not far from Preston, and he took a photo of a porta-loo! The quicker he fills up his 4GB memory card in his camera, the better! What’s worse is that Keith is starting to pose in Dave’s photos, photos which may not be legally allowed to be posted on the blog! (I’ll leave that to your imagination!!) They are having a bit of a challenge between them, as who can take the most artistic photo. some are quite good.....

Paul has to take the credit for this one.

Other attempts at 'Art' didn't quite work.....................

As we hit Warrington, the girls went to the hotel and checked in, took our bags up to the rooms and did some shopping, while Omar and I followed the lads through to Preston. It saved us messing about when we got to the hotel, leaving more time to enjoy the sauna and swimming pool!

The boys were flying, and they were in Preston for 5pm. They were commenting on the bus back to the hotel how difficult it was dealing with the increased traffic. The previous few days have took them along quitter roads, whereas today saw them spending a large amount of the run in built up areas dealing with traffic lights and impatient drivers. However, they will be off the busy roads tomorrow and into the Lake District; a shorter day, but with more hills, a different challenge altogether!

Many thanks to everyone at the Village in Warrington and Dudley for tonight. This definitely beats camping!

Posted by John