Monday, June 16, 2003

 

Day 53. Tuesday 17 June 2003. Goodbye Morecambe.

dWe left mid-morning and instead of travelling though the centre of Lancaster to Junction 34 on the M6 we back tracked to Junction 35 at Carnforth, an easier drive and probably almost as quick.

For the most part the M6 was fairly quiet and we stopped first for a rest at Sandbach and sat in the sun and had a cold drink. On our way again and approaching Birmingham we hit the inevitable road works and we were shunted into cone marked narrow lanes. The lanes were so narrow the large heavy lorries were progressing slowly on their inside lane, we were travelling a little faster and we could almost touch the lorries as we closely moved past. It was everyone eyes on the road. This was the area of the alternative link motorway to the north of Birmingham in its final stages of construction.

Clearing this area we soon saw the signs for our deviation on to the M5 and we made sure we were in our correct lane and kept a sharp and move if it was so indicated. Suddenly with no apparent effort the traffic dropping away and we were on the M5. At this point we decided to stop for a cup of tea and a rest at Strensham.

We had not too far to go now and soon it our off point at Junction 11A. Up and over the Cotswold Hills on the A414, it was The Ermin Way, an old Roman road and straight. Not long now and it was our turn off for Cricklade. And then a good rest.

The weather had been kind to us today, not too hot or humid.

posted by OldEric 7:12 pm