PCW Day One

Burton-Upon-Trent, via Etwall, to Fenny Bentley - Wednesday, 22nd August

24 miles cycled, 16 miles of the PCW

We left Burton under cloudy but bright skies on canal side paths before heading North on the NCN 54 to Etwall and the start of the PCW (NCN68).

A chipshop lunch at Etwall (beer from the pub)

"Can't I give some of this to you?"

When doing yer average backpack, you can have the map in your hand. This saves having to stop every 5 minutes to check where you are.



On a bike, you have to stop. This adds delays.

Add in the fact that on this first day, after Etwall, we found the climbing an awful lot harder than we expected,

and David, having done no training for this (excuses about workload or something...) meant we averaged about 3 mph.

We were beginning to doubt that we would ever finish, despite the extra half day gained by travelling up the night before.

And it started raining...

When we reached the campsite at Fenny Bentley it was a relief!!



Very large and friendly (and an expensive £25 each!) place

Dispatch to Base Camp:

"Natives friendly, food and beer is good.

Covered 24 miles to Fenney Bentley.

No casualties.

Send money."

Signal from Base Camp:
"Base Camp to Hooper.
Glad you made it in one piece and are supping the ale.
Will report progress to Mr.P.
TTFN"

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