We had initially planned to do a three day cycle tour, continuing eastwards from Chester (having previously cycled there from The Cottage), but the weather had other ideas. As a compromise and to make the most of a short dry spell, we headed north, from Neston to Hoylake at the top of the Wirral, along an old railway track.

The tide was as far out as it could be, so the views were mainly of mud flats rather than the shimmering seas, but it was a nice view looking back at the north coast of Wales.

The recent rains, had left large puddles across the muddy cycleway, so we were soon speckled in mud despite our mudguards catching most of the debris. After a break sitting watching a kestrel hover in front of us on the cliff edge, we made it up to West Kirby Marina, where some folk wing/wind surfing and other were hiking out Hilbrand Island on the low tide. It wasn’t a day for model boating in the pool!

The ride up to Hoylake was a highlight as we followed an empty promenade. To our left was an empty sea. It was actually quite dramatic and a good photographer could have probably made some Luna photo scenes from the view.

We found a little coffee shop with bike parking for a lunch break and warm up, then decided to brave the traffic and follow some B roads back to the start, rather than return along the busy/muddy railway.

It was a good choice. The roads were busy, but the drivers generally tried not to kill us, but best of all was checking out some of the big houses in the area and stopping to admire this mega crocus patch!

It was a warm enough afternoon to be riding with short sleeves – not exactly February temperatures and were back at the van 39km after leaving it – just in time to make it back to the hotel for a sauna!

Once we’d refreshed and changed, we went into Chester for an excellent meal/cocktails in a very cool café, as part of our 20 year anniversary celebrations!