Day 12, April 23: Plan 68.3

Last night we were dropped off at The Lord Nelson. The owner, Peter Olsen, took pity on us right away when he saw us dragging in with our heavy packs. He quickly sorted us out with a drink and asked where we were headed and staying. Trail Angel Pete had mentioned The Lord Nelson did B&B so I asked if they had rooms… None made up but if we could wait they would make them up for us. Prayer answered #1.

We watched the football and saw Wrexham win the title. Prayer answered #2 (for them at least). For those that don’t know, the TV show Ted Lasso is about a football team in England that is struggling but full of piss and vinegar. The Wrexham team is the real version. Owned in part by actor Ryan Reynolds. My brother John told me the real deal about it all. Google it!

Dinner (prayers answered #3) was then served and we were told our rooms were ready. The shower was hot (#4), the rooms were cozy (#5) but it was too early to go to bed even if we were exhausted. It had taken us 5 hours to go 10 trail miles, a goal we did not want to repeat, so we had to come up with another plan. Sleep, plan, repeat, right?

We woke up today to sunny and cool. Peter made us a huge breakfast with lots of coffee but I think we were overwhelmed with the decisions we had to make and couldn’t eat it all. Peter talked to us about the building which he reckons must have been the town square at one point as the town well is in the middle of his bar. No kidding! Decision was made to go back to Bath, stay at the Youth Hostel to let my foot heal and let the weather pass over.

Peter took us to the park and ride so we could get a bus back to Bath and regaled us with local history. Sometimes when we hike, we forget that there is thousands of years of history around us. Prayer answered #6- thanks to Peter, we didn’t have to pitch a tent in the rain, nor spend a miserable night in a tent in the rain.

In Bath, the sun was shining as we waited for our room at the hostel. Lovely day with some spots of rain, not at all what we expected. But decision made to book rooms for the rest of the way, even though it is really expensive, and ditch the heavy gear in our packs. It will be easier on my toes and our backs.

Not defeated, just adaptable.