Day 1 - Sounthport to Broad Green

First day of the challenge. We gathered in Southport right at the beginning of the Trans Pennine Trail. We were pleasantly surprised by the weather, the company was great and BBC Look North West showed up to film the start of the walk.

Today's numbers were:
Dave and Paddy Taylor (who met Roy 10 years ago in Madagascar and still remembered his amazing enthusiasm)
Daniel and Chris Tynan
Andrew Cross (from Disabled Ramblers and came on a Tramper scooter)
Eileen Tomlinson (from Disabled Ramblers and came on a Tramper scooter)
Rob and Alex Pigott (riding 2 recumbent trikes)
Iain Burton and Katie Chapman with their indefatigable dog Abi
Simon Howard from Neston
Chris Christou (riding another FourX - he knows absolutely everything about those machines and actually supplied Roy's one)
Jack Taylor (on foot - voted the Day's Tour Guide)
Ian Grindy (an old friend from Bowland)
Roy and Anna Taylor (and their not so indefatigable dog Yala)

For the first 4 hours (around 10 miles) the weather was really nice - no rain and bearable temperature. There were no obstacles on the way so all was going nice and smooth. About 2pm the weather started threatening and eventually rain came down on us fast and furious. Still good access and good moods kept us going chatty and perky. We met with the vehicles often enough to get food supplies, chocolate and change the batteries (some of us even changed their soaking clothes). Thanks drivers (Roy Senior and Tim) for navigating the maps and your patience.

Then the obstacles started. Although FourX managed them with difficulty (sometimes requiring dismantling and taking hand rests off the wheelchair) there is no way that other outdoor wheelchairs or mobility scooters could get through. FourX is not only 4 wheel drive but also 4 wheel steer which gave us advantage in getting through the obstacles. Until the end of the day we went through around 10 of these constructions with additional difficulty that they were all different sizes. To be honest if not Chris's knowledge of the FourX and helping us to understand how to manoeuvre through barriers we would most probably have to turn around. Fortunately Disabled Ramblers had had to part with us earlier in the day and were spared the disappointment of the obstacles.

About 6pm it finally stopped raining and the sun came out just after 7pm. By that time the walkers (Katie and Anna were the only ones still "standing") were absolutely exhausted but Chris and Roy decided to show off with how fast their wheelchairs can go.

Overall the day was a success. Plus a  pleasant surprise was waiting for us in the B&B. Church End Farm House in Hale Village (where we stayed our first night) charged us at cost only and the rest of the bill donated to Roy's Coast to Coast Challenge. Thank you a lot Church End Farm House.