28 July 2016 (cloudy with rain and patches of sun, mild) 10 km

What a great sleep….in a huge bed. Last time we slept in a bed that big was on our wedding night. I know most people are probably thinking….there wouldn’t have been much sleeping done on that night….but there was…we just crashed after a great, but exhausting wedding day.

Julia brought up a cup of tea initially, before we wandered downstairs to have breakfast with David. Once again the conversation flowed freely about an array of topics, but a lot about our business, Face to Face and how we began.  David and Jane also have a fitness business, but they used to own twenty one sandwich shops around the country and employed three hundred staff, so we pale into comparison and I felt a little silly discussing how we began, with someone obviously so experienced.

The plan today was to go into Chester and have a look around, both at the city itself and for some clothes….for Julia, I don’t require anything….perhaps my tailor would disagree…?  David left before we rode in, to go and help Jane’s mum, who was struggling with a problem. He is a very generous person, both with his home, in our case and with his time, as in hers and also as a Magistrate.

We spoke last night about putting out good vibes to people and good things coming back and Julia and I are firm believers in that respect. Today was a weird one weather-wise. One minute it was raining, next full sun, then cold, then mild…good old English summer.  Rode into Chester under overcast but dry conditions, until we reached the outskirts of the city centre, when it began to rain. 

Chester Cathedral

Had a wander to the Cathedral and was about to part with money….yes that’s right folks….pay to go in…(No set fee, just donation…so you can imagine how much……or little..?) when we were stopped in our tracks. An organ recital was about to take place, so no visitors until 2pm. I see it as a sign !!!  

After a walk around we decided to pop in for a pub lunch, so into The Red Lion for a nice meal and whilst Ju had a coffee, I had a Guinness.  The weather was still rubbish when we emerged, so into the shops to look for some gear for Julia. 

That took a couple of hours….the result being….nothing…not one item… but I must admit, some of the clothes were very average.  Apparently there are always more shops…? Not for someone who has spent his whole life in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Sometimes I feel like I must be related to Angus Young…out of AC/DC, except he plays guitar and is exceptionally talented, whereas I don’t…..and am not…

It was time to take ourselves back to the house. David, who is sixty-seven, plays bicycle polo. Tonight he is playing in Manchester, an hour away. Apparently it’s played in other countries, so perhaps NZ will get something going.  We used to play a similar version with bikes and a football when we were teenagers.  He left about 6pm for the hour long journey and we made ourselves an omelette seeing as we don’t get to consume many eggs on the road.  Then we checked directions for a cycle path to Neston, checked emails and loaded photos and wrote blogs. 

David returned from bike polo around 10.30pm and we sat in the kitchen relaying tales from our lives. He has led an amazing life and he had us captivated with some of the stories he had to tell. We have had a fantastic stay here and have met a person with a great outlook on life, a true gentleman and someone we hope to be able to remain in contact with.