Another big day loomed, reaching Derbyshire at last. Staffordshire did not want to surrender easily and we have been flirting in and out all day, to finish up where we wanted to be.
They both donned new boots for the day, worn in, of course (even the DD aren't that silly), and both had a good old bleat about how heavy they were. Well they would be wouldn't they, the soles of the old ones were about an inch thinner. Particularly dad's which had a huge hole in the heel. Hopefully, they can get both pairs resoled ready in case of need.
We started off on the Staffordshire Way in Uttoxeter, changing to the Limestone Way in Rocester all the way up to Thorpe. All morning we had the company of the River Dove, who was not prepared to give up any of her secrets today, and all we saw were; Mallard, Canada, and Greylag Geese.
In Rocester we passed by the World Headquarters of JCB. It always reminds me of the James Bond films, where the villain has his pristine operation, with all the employees running around in boiler suited uniformity. Of course, we know JCB is nothing like that, it's an amazing operation.
Further on we were privy to a heavy horse display, when we came across a gentleman training his horse for pulling. He explained to us that he pulled a wagon liveried up for one of the breweries. His older horse had developed a limp, so he was having to bring the younger horse up to speed. It was a lovely sight, and they all appeared to be having a good time.
This afternoon, we were across fields, and saw nobody at all. The walking was great and we were accompanied by a number of swallows and curlews, the latter serenading us along the way.
We must say thank you to the taxi driver who had been a Grenadier Guard, and to Mrs Gwendoline Wooley, an lady from Rocester, who both gave us donations.
Tomorrow, we are hoping to meet up with some of the SARDA team from Derbyshire, who are practising nearby. And then, we will be walking home - how about that?
Keep spreading the word
M
xx
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