We surprised ourselves by being ready to set off on our holiday adventure early. The Satnav took us on a delightful route through Hodnet, Whitchurch and Tarporley. Just before we joined the motorway south of Warrington, we stopped off at Hollies Garden Centre in Little Budworth, Cheshire for a late breakfast. I chose a danish pastry and a refreshing cup of tea. The wasps were out in force so I had to keep my pastry half wrapped in its bag to keep them at bay.

Our lunch stop was Kirkby Lonsdale. After struggling to park we found a sandwich bar where I chose chicken salad and watched the chicken being freshly sliced. Whilst the sandwiches were being made we chatted to the lady serving us. She mentioned that she often had customers who were cycling from Lands End to John o’ Groats. We ate our sandwiches sitting under the town’s market cross and enjoying views of the distant hills.

After lunch we rejoined the M6 before travelling through Kirkby Stephen where we realised that we had mixed our Kirkbys up (again) and this was where we had intended to stop for lunch. Our journey took us past Brough towards Scotch Corner and  Mainsgill Farm Shop where we stopped for a cup of tea. It has changed a lot since our previous visit a few years ago so we took the opportunity to browse around the shop. I enjoyed seeing the resident camels, although I still miss Kevin who was such a character, often wandering over to customers and posing for photos.

Later, we arrived at the Vermont to find that the hotel carpark was full and we had to pay to park the car overnight. After checking in and unloading the car we headed into Newcastle. Whilst in town we spent some time in Waterstones both ending up with a purchase, mine being a cookbook ‘Simply Raymond’ which I had had my eye on for some time.

Back at the hotel we freshened up before dining in the hotel restaurant. We found that the menu had become more down market than on our previous stays, although when the food (Haddock and Chips for me) arrived it was both excellent and delicious. We had a nightcap in the hotel bar before retiring for the evening.

We travelled to Nottingham to meet my nephew and his lady for lunch. I clocked up quite a few steps walking between the car park and restaurant. When I got home I topped them up with a quick local walk in the afternoon sunshine.

A short walk in Ironbridge with Mr C. There maybe a photo of me if he chooses to release it from his camera.

I parked next to the pool that I visited on day one of my challenge and walked to (and around) another nearby pool. As I explored that pool area I found the pathway that links to a walk that leads back to my house. A walk I discovered during my local walks from home earlier this year.

I am a bit of a rebel in my local area, I always set off walking without a map! There is always a sense of wonder when I find where the pathway leads to.

I have joined the Civil Service Charity’s STEPtember challenge, aiming to walk 10000 steps per day which for me is just over 4 miles. There will be days when I can’t do this due to travelling so I will average it out to reach my 300,000 in September.

For my first walk I chose a walk that I hadn’t done before. I started from a local town which involved a walk along a road. I will explore the area differently next time from a different start point to avoid the road.

Today I returned to a local walk to immerse myself in the joys of the abundant wildlife there. The wildlife was not so varied as it was on my previous visit.

Today as part of my #STEPtember300 challenge I re walked a new route that I discovered a week ago. The photos are from last weeks walk.

On this occasion I took an extended route rather than the path shown on the last four photos.

During my walk I lingered to sit and rest a while on one of my favourite benches.