Everton

With less than a mile to go to Everton I was grateful to be out of the rain and in the warm again very quickly. The receptionist was very kind and ordered me a coffee. This was done by phoning upstairs then sending the dirty mugs up the lift. Soon the fresh coffee came back down the lift. I was supposed to meet Bill Ellaby but when the receptionist called him on his mobile he was very apologetic and admitted to me that he had forgotten and he was in a meeting in the city. He said that he had a signed football for me in his office and would send his secretary over with it and get an assistant to take me to the pitch. This all happened and we had photos taken. The assistant was a very nice guy who told me to contact him if I wanted anything else. He signed my shirt and off I went to the Mersey. I nearly made the same mistake as in London and following my sat nav I ended up in the mouth of the Mersey Tunnel. Before committing myself I spotted a police car parked so I made my way in a westerly direction to have a word. The policeman confirmed that I could cycle across at certain times but that wasn't now! He directed me to the Mersey Ferry and off I went. The next ferry was 2pm so again I had the opportunity to get in the warm and dry for half an hour. The crossing was choppy and the tannoy played ‘Ferry cross the Mersey’ which we all sang along to! Then came the driest part of the day and the 15 mile dash to Chester before darkness fell.