The Wirral Country Park was the first designated country park in Britain when it opened in 1973. The Wirral Way runs in the park and follows the route of the former Birkenhead Railway from Hooton to West Kirby, a distance of 12 miles. The railway closed in 1962. The walk crosses the Wirral Peninsular before running north alongside the estuary of the River Dee.

This was John’s final long walk in preparation for Old Codgers, that starts on 24^th March. It was also his last substantial outing before he officially becomes an old age pensioner next week. So, how did he get on? He said he felt strong for most of the walk but his knees are the worry. After he finished he went for a coffee in a café in West Kirby and became something of a spectacle when standing up to leave! A bit ironic really, as his brother, Paul, is now recovering from a hip replacement operation but his knees are OK!