Judy's Journey Day 3 - Longton to Broughton Crossroads via Fulwood Barracks - Sat. 16th May

Woke to sunshine, but by the time breakfast was over it had started to rain again. Decided that it was only light so I would tough it out. Big mistake, so I had to hurriedly scramble into waterproofs within half a mile of leaving the B & B. Why do the pockets on trousers never line up with the pockets on waterproofs? Two miles down the road the rain eased and I decided to scramble out of them again. This time the sun stayed out and with Peter checking progress to see if I wanted anything, but actually checking that I hadn't gone into a shop for a sneaky bar of chocolate, I was soon in Preston.

We had planned the route so that there would be a spare 15 minutes in the schedule so I had a quick coffee to fill in some time and headed for Fulwood. Emma and David ( official photographer as well as son in law) were waiting for me with Peter about a mile and a half away from the barracks. Emma walked with me and Peter & David went ahead to recce.

Arrived at Fulwood one minute early - how is that for timing and was clapped in by Major Marshall and a reception committee, I even got a cup of tea, a biscuit and a cheque (see above) for which I was extremely grateful. David took some pictures and having thanked everyone concerned for giving up their time, I set off again in glorious sunshine.

Did you know that clouds have sat nav? Well they do. There I was walking along the A6 just over a mile from Fulwood feeling pleased because I had passed the halfway point when suddenly.....

yes, you guessed it an extremely black cloud suddenly appeared from nowhere and with pinpoint accuracy proceeded to drench me before I could scramble back into the waterproofs. I was not happy! By the time I met Peter, about forty minutes later, I was largely dried out, unfortunately the rain had got into my phone so I had missed a message from a concerned relative who wondered if I had finished yet. By the time the phone had dried out enough to let me know he had rung, I had finished and I was on the way back to base to prepare for Day 4 by drying out two very soggy pairs of shoes.