Day two - Monday 2nd September - Lichfield to Tutbury

Thus began the first proper day of the journey - damp, drizzly and misty. 

I left Lichfield wearing full waterproof kit, although by the time I reached the solid old church at Stowe, less than two miles in, it was dry enough to remove some of it.

My planned route through an industrial area was later blocked by road works, so I gambled on a footpath. I never like to rely on paths as the only option, but this one worked, going through tall maize

(Children of the Corn anyone?) to reach the towpath alongside the Trent and Mersey Canal by a delightful old bridge. 

A little way on, as I left the towpath to head for Alrewas, the waterproofs went back on and it rained solidly for about half an hour, ending just as I reached the village.

Alrewas is an undistinguished place, with a few old houses, and a close association with that canal, which I rejoined at the end of the main street.

Again I followed the towpath, concerned that this route was the only way to avoid a very long diversion, but it was fine, leading me to the fine 12th century church at Wychnor. 

Apparently the church is at some risk, with declining numbers and limited visitors, which is a shame. Wychnor is in fact an "ex-village" - the earthworks opposite the church mark the site of a much larger old village, now reduced to just a hamlet.

North of Wychnor I followed a long gravel track known as Green Lanes (no connection with its much busier North London namesake) to reach Barton under Needwood, another straggling unremarkable village, although there are some fine examples of Georgian red brick.

I left Barton on a path which forms part of the "Cross Britain Way", a Macmillan path running from Boston, Lincolnshire to Barmouth in Wales. Good luck following the relatively rare way marks.

But at least the sun finally came out.

After that, and cutting out a planned loop to make up for the earlier diversion, it was roads all the way. Long, straight and quite busy for about 3½ miles to an interchange at Needwood, then more relaxed towards Tutbury, my destination for tonight.

Tutbury is a smart little town, lots more red brick, overlooked by the large ruins of its castle. 

Sadly the castle, one of the places where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned, is closed except for rare special events, so the only view of it is from squinting across the car park.

Day one achieved, my legs have confirmed they can still handle the job, so tomorrow they'll carry me roughly the same distance, about 18 miles, to reach the southern gateway to the Peak District.