Day 13 - Kibworth Beauchamp to Leicester

I'm sleeping really well each night, I'm physically tired and mentally relaxed which I think is because I'm able to be completely in this walking journey and although it's not always easy, I'm not having to think outside of it. Sometimes I fall asleep while I'm writing these daily updates which is why I'm a few days behind. 

I woke up with my alarm, quickly checked my arm and was incredibly relieved to realise I had dreamt the tattoo! It was a full sleeve, multi coloured front door 'welcome' mat with added flourishes and looked terrible! My interpretation is that the welcome I've received on this journey has been absolutely amazing and I want to remember and acknowledge it, and my subconscious decided that the best way was in the form of a tattoo. By the end of my day walking I'd decided that I will actually get a tattoo to represent the hospitality I've experienced, but it will be small, simple, in black and on my foot!

It was a very cold day, but the sun was there! After breakfast Damien drove to Kibworth Beauchamp and walked with me for the first couple of miles as I headed towards Leicester. Because I was staying 2 nights in the same place I only needed to bring my small rucksack, so it was a light day. I looked like someone out for a short walk, not in the middle of a hike across half the country! The route was just under 14 miles which I now consider to be a short and very doable distance in the limited daylight hours.

We followed the footpaths and the map which seemed to lead us down a road where there was a house behind a gate. We walked through the gate which said 'visitors by appointment only' and tried to find the way. Damien went to investigate a corner which was near some geese who started making a very loud and not happy sounding noise. The door of the house opened and a woman rushed out saying 'get away from the geese they WILL attack you!' I was already out the way and Damien managed to move to safety in time! The woman was very friendly and helpful explaining the footpath sign at the top of the field was broken/missing and it wasn't obvious it was a path but we could cut through the bottom of the field and would then reach the stile and footpath taking us to the canal.

On reaching the canal we parted ways and Damien said he would meet me as I came into Leicester to walk that day's final miles with me. It was great to have his company either side of time walking alone. After I left the towpath I was on fields which were made easier to cross because the mud had frozen and unlike earlier all the footpaths were clear to follow. I then approached the outskirts of the city and found a bench to eat my sandwiches and drink the coffee in my flask. I've realised it's good to take the opportunity to stop, have a brief rest, put the bags down and have something to drink or eat when I see a good bench!

For the second night in a row my phone hadn't charged very much/enough, so while I was walking I'd had it plugged in to the powerpack, but because there's an issue with the charging port I have to hold the lead in a certain way. I needed to navigate as I was trying to meet Damien and follow the route which was winding around the streets. I did manage to get and keep the battery between 10-20% but it was annoying. It did remind me of Ro though as he often seemed to be needing to charge his phone, or his phone had run out of battery!

Damien and I met up in Victoria park and once we were in the city centre I put my phone away. In one way it's a shame I have to often be holding and looking at my phone but the flip side is that I'm grateful for the technology helping me find my way North!