Day 9 - Faxfleet to Hull

After the usual breakfast, loading up the van and warding off the rain day 9 saw us at the start point at 9.30 where we were met by the following people:
Mark Cleaver
Richard Barnard
Tanya Earnshaw with her dog Pebbles
Lindsey and Mike Pilsworth 
Mick Turton and Gary Dayes who came to see us off
Phil and Joe from BBC Hull who came to film us for the evening news

On route we were joined by:
Angela Needham

We had two options for the route today. A TPT cyclist option which was mostly on roads or a walkers alternative which was mostly along the Humber shore. It was an easy decision for the walkers route to get the vote.

The first half hour was spent on making sure that the BBC crew had appropriate material recorded. This involved interviews with Roy, Tanya and Mike; strapping a camera to the FourX for the rest of the journey; agreeing the next rendezvous spot; and finally filming us setting off for the day.



Very quickly we came across our first obstacle where there was some building work ongoing for the eel crossing. This was to ensure this declining species can cross the dams and other obstacles that are put in their way by the human development. Amazingly enough when the workers saw our little troupe approaching they re-prioritised what they were doing and within minutes made the path passable.

 

The route along the Humber shore meant a lot of birding for some of us. Good numbers of Avosets and a large colony of Barnacle Geese were seen on Whitten Sands.

We also came across some different obstacles these however swiftly moved out of our way without the need of special attention.

The good news was a Radar gate which, using our Radar key, opened quick and wide.

There was however one part of the route where Roy and the wheelchair had to be packed into the van as the rest of us went into the muddy shores of the Humber. Before we parted the usual mid-day battery change was performed in a record time of 2.5 minutes (this amazing timing was partly due to help from Mike).

 

Shortly after Roy rejoined us at North Ferriby we could see the Humber Bridge in the distance as a marker for our journey. Half an hour from the bridge we were joined by Angela who was a volunteer for monthly BTO surveys in this area.

We had a relaxing and well deserved break right under the Humber Bridge to recharge the batteries and check on our blisters, before making the last three miles of the day.

The path was slightly overgrown with vegetation but without any access issues the FourX did as well as the legs.

 

The mileage today was the shortest so far and we finished the walk by 6pm. This was the earliest finish of the whole challenge. The day seemed shorter and easier than any before and we all enjoyed it a lot.

 

After saying goodbye to Lindsey, Richard, Mark and Mike, the core team decided on treating ourselves at the Chinese restaurant overlooking the Humber. We ate our dinner glancing over the river and felt really relaxed and pleased with the day and the challenge to date. Part of us however was sad that tomorrow is the last day of this amazing adventure.

 

Unfortunately the dogs were not allowed in the restaurant and their dinner had to be served on the car seat.