The graft is complete- Champers at the Palace..Great Ending

Friday 26th September
Today Mileage miles 39.5 ∑Total to date 1002.5 miles Complete


Today we awoke in the knowledge that this was the final fling, the last haul!! The Melvich hotel was a lovely final evening’s rest. We had planned to stay in Tongue Youth Hostel but we decided to stay a wee bit closer to our route. What a good decision this turned out to be.

There are a lot of thoughts and emotions tied up to what is effectively the last day and we were gladdened to start the day with a quick spurt to Castletown, a wee photo stop in front of Dunreay and on for a quick coffee.

We had the climax at John O’Groats where we were greeted by Birchwood Highland and Highland Breast Care members, a lone piper played a welcoming tune as we cycled to the applause of our reception committee, also including friends who travelled from near and far to greet us.

The blog ends tonight with a few reflections from the folk who have done the full trip and those who joined us on the way:
Jimmy:
There are two aspects that I feel have hit me very strongly. The importance of such events to groups such as Highland Breast Care and Birchwood was clearly made apparent to me at the welcome parties, “how much a little bit means to so many.” The other aspect is the generous giving of people, both the sponsors and those who donated in kind such as accommodation and unplanned giving such as donations en route and gifts of food and refreshments to help the team on their way.
Tom:
It has been wonderful to meet many people who are motivated to cycle for a great cause. The highlight of the week was to meet new people and see new countryside.
Peter:
The highlight for me – beginning, middle and end, was meeting the team, being with them and having a great laugh. The team are fantastic. It has been a privilege to share 150 miles with them.
John:
An epic journey on 2 wheels through the UK and Ireland. A journey that took us to new places and met many interesting people with a team that was comfortable with each other.
Stephen:
Its been great, tinged with some regret that its over for us three hangers on, just when we’re getting the hang of what’s expected. Tina, John, Jimmy, Corinne, Joan – thanks for the company and fun over the last few days.
Corinne:
Writing this, I am sitting looking at the coast at the North of Scotland. It seems incredible that we have travelled from the far South of the UK to this point entirely under our own steam! This leads me to believe that anyone can do anything, if they put their mind to it and just stick in there. Travelling through the UK, we have come across a diverse cross section of people, the vast majority of whom gave us help out of the sheer kindness of their heart without getting anything in return. This should restore everyone’s faith in humanity in what is sometimes a cynical world. Special thanks to Jimmy who looked after our catering needs, most important on a trip like this. Also to the big man upstairs as remarkably, we all survived the trip virtually unscathed – no major accidents or injuries.
This trip took place because of a personal mission of Tina Bruce. She has resolutely stuck to her plans and her organisation of the adventure has been without fault. I know the charities that she is raising funds for are proud of what she has achieved. More power to your elbow (or your legs maybe.....!)
Joan:
When I was asked to join this adventure I was excited but nervous that I would not be able to do it all but had the thought that we had a back up van. Little did I know that the adrenaline would kick in and keep me going. It is amazing what good company and a shower or a bath each night can do for you. You wake up every morning raring to go. The kindness and generosity we have been shown on this trip restores your faith in human nature. We none of us have any secrets anymore! We have eaten, slept (not all together apart from the Youth Hostel), pedalled, laughed and yawned together for nearly 3 weeks. My highlight was conquering Whitebridge hill on the South side of Loch Ness, which was a major achievement then flying down Essich Hill. The thought of seeing Denis might have had something to do with the wings that were on my pedals that day. This has been a fabulous way of marking my retirement but I have to confess that I am disappointed not to be a size 8 by now! The fact that Jimmy called us the locusts might have something to do with that. I am going to have to find another way of passing my time now but this will be a hard act to follow.
My thanks to the rest of the team for making this such a memorable trip. Special thanks to all the people who gave us free accommodation – you all looked after us superbly especially Sue and Alvin Trevenna who even gave up their beds for people they did not know.
Tina:
A journey of endurance, of bonding and of discovery! A group of five unlikelies coming together for a specific purpose – to travel from Lands End to John O’Groats over a period of three weeks, using pedal power.
And on a special closing note from Tina:-
We’ve met many kind and generous people, too many to mention in a brief note, but friendship, hospitality and donations have been poured upon us. We have been privileged to provide people with the opportunity to show this generosity and kindness!
A special thank you to the team, Corinne for her compassion and vision; Joan for her eternal optimism; Jimmy for his unerring support and John for his unwavering strength.
We are eternally grateful to our sponsors, HAEL, Highland Bicycle Co and all those providing accommodation and hospitality on our way.
Thank you to everyone who supported us, cajoled us and helped us on our way. Our sponsors, the charities we’re supporting, our friends who faithfully followed us on our journey and those of you who followed us but couldn’t get registered we are eternally grateful. That knowledge kept us going and you are as much a part of this journey as we are.

Over the Forsinard to Melvich...Last Day tomorrow..Horray!!

Thursday 25nd September
Today Mileage miles 71 ∑Total to date 963 miles

Nice early start, on the road by 8.30am. Audrey and Sandy were perfect hosts – they’ve got the bed and breakfast routine par excellence and they don’t even do B & B! Corinne was most impressed by their new shower, but was a bit frightened to enter the chamber for fear that her body may be disparticled and transported elsewhere!! She thought Dornoch might have been chosen as the first venue for time
travel! Jimmy had trouble getting into his bed as it kept moving on the castors, at one stage he was in the hall way. Thank you to them for their hospitality and lovely breakfast.
First stop was Brora where we were treated to home made carrot cake and coffee at Morag Sutherland’s who has a beautiful sun porch overlooking the bay at Brora harbour. We didn’t want to leave here, especially with the thought of another 50 miles or so to go. We decided to go with a bit of local knowledge from Johnny, a friend of Morag’s who is a retired ghillie on the Helmsdale River. He advised us to go the route via Glen Loth which cuts off the corner of Helmsdale and takes you up to meet the Forsinard Road. He said we might have to walk the first mile (due to its steepness) however, Johnny, you didn’t tell us about the second, third and fourth miles that we might have to walk because of their incline!! However, this extra exertion was offset by the beauty of the hills with the heather just dying off.
Joan was in her element as she plummeted down the hill and on to the Forsinard Road (her choice over the Berriedale Braes) which we all agreed is a great, mostly flat road of almost 40 miles – single track with virtually no traffic, just a few hunting, shooting fishing types. We were again “buzzed” by military jets who seem to be following us with regularity. Corinne and Tina wondered whether the team might be a defence risk (sheep as secret agents perhaps?!). Corinne and Tina fancy their chances with the fly boys who they think have been stalking them all the way up Scotland!!!
Arrived in Melvich up the obligatory hill of course to the accommodation. Whilst we were all puffing and panting up it, Joanie remarked “imagine what it will be like tomorrow when we are cycling down it”. Typical Joan – Corinne is going to recruit her as her positive lifestyle coach when we finish this trip!! We are stopping for the last night before the push to J.O’.G. in the splendidly newly ongoing half-renovated Melvich Hotel where the rooms and the views of Orkney are fabulous. The “boys” (Tom, Peter and Stephen) enjoyed their longer trip today, Stephen having a little difficulty with his saddle (sore) and slight disappointment that Guinness is not available at the hotel, but soon made up by drinking the beer cellar dryl! Peter was delighted to discover that he was in a room with the two boys with two double beds but then found that they had split one of them and he has to sleep on his own!! Team bonding Birchwood style...beware all you Birchwood staff for future team building events?!!
LAST day tomorrow.....hoop, hoop horray!!!

Press and Teapots...onward to Dornoch

Wednesday 24nd September
Today Mileage miles 43 ∑Total to date 892 miles

I think even if we were Madonna and Guy Ritchie, we wouldn’t have got more publicity than we did today! Supporters were out in force for the next leg of our journey which gave us all a massive boost for the last push. Tina attended an interview at Radio Highland which is to be broadcast on Radio nan Gael about personal journeys undertaken by people who had had cancer. She then returned to the Palace where pictures and a story were taken for the Highland News.

We are a much bigger group today – we have 2 other vagabonds with us – Stephen and Peter from Birchwood in Inverness. Peter has a particularly natty little bike – a folding number put together by Bromptons with tiny wheels which certainly don’t seem to stop him flying along (could it be his well toned calves noticed by a female member of our company).

First leg was along to Cromarty where we got the little ferry across to Nigg, the captain of the ferry gave us a free passage, so many thanks to you sir! Jimmy was waiting for us in Nigg – he had made a special effort with the food as we now have “guests” – extra packets of Boaster biscuits to give everyone extra energy. However, you’ve heard the story about the guy who couldn’t boil an egg, well Jimmy is the guy who couldn’t boil the kettle for tea – he left the teapot on the portable stove and forgot about it and the bottom of the pot burned through completely!

Straight to Audrey and Sandy’s, friends of Joan and Dennis in Dornoch where we had homemade sausage rolls and cake. Sandy thought a stripper had been booked for his birthday when John turned up in a micro towel, just about covering the basics! He was disappointed about the gender of the stripper though!!

The ladies of the group are starting to feel outnumbered and are worried that we may have another one or two “gadget men” on board to join Mr Bruce and Mr Ferguson. The ladies might end up confiscating all mobile phones, GPSs, Blackberries, Blueberries, Strawberries....!!

Warm Welcome's in Inverness

Tuesday 22nd September
Today Mileage miles 35 ∑Total to date 849 miles

We left the hospitality of Margaret and Gordon at Thistle Dubh B & B after exchanging pleasantries with a fellow resident, a chap on holiday from North Carolina who was on something called a Haggis Bus Tour. They had journeyed up from Edinburgh and were “doing” Skye today.

The team were soon into the throes of Whitebridge Hill, on the Dores side of Loch Ness, a rather dapper little hill, 9 out of 10 on the Richter scale of hills for severity and length. Joan, the old warhorse, battled on, kept her head down and made all the hills, only stopped to text Dennis to say she hadn’t stopped!!?. Corinne decided, after being overtaken by 2 joggers, to hang with it and got off and pushed the bike! Tina made a comment to two surly workmen about the steepness of the hill and they replied that it wasn’t steep enough! (Tom offered to exchange his bike for their spade!) Joan flew like Spiderwoman on Speed down the hill at Essich when she saw the Kessock Bridge. It was the thought of going home to wash Dennis’ socks that kept the wifie going!
I think we were all a bit overcome with the warm welcomes that we got when we arrived in Inverness. Tina led the way to the Birchwood Recovery Centre in Hilton, where a banner and balloons were waiting our arrival, together with a mixture of folk from Birchwood and Highland Breast Care. A lot of people had gone to a lot of trouble to make soups, sandwiches, quiches, pies, meringues (which John found delicious but hard to eat without a mess!) A very big thank you to everyone who contributed to the event and for all the lovely things that people said to us.
We then cycled into the town where we said a quick hello to the boys at Highland Bicycle Co who have been very generous to us. Simon appeared, not knowing his mum and dad were going to be there, and his reaction was that of a typical teenager – just as if his mum and dad had popped out for afternoon tea rather than cycled from Lands End!
Tina, mega media star, popped into Radio Highland to do another interview which is to be heard on Radio Scotland on Wednesday. She and John finally arrived at the Palace where a reception committee were waiting for them – their friends from previous cycling trips including Evelyn who was celebrating her 70th birthday. They had set up a champagne and chocolate cake reception in the car park of the hotel, so that was another lovely welcome. Everyone felt like royalty.
A very special thank you must be given to Mark, the manager and the staff of the Palace, who provided the hotel’s accommodation, food, drink and facilities absolutely free of charge. Not forgetting the lovely, relaxing massage provided by Rebecca and Wendy. Dennis has been updating the map in the Leisure club to show everyone the route.
Various members of the team’s family and friends came to visit on Tuesday night which was very much appreciated – it was nice to see some faces from home after our long journey. We will be joined on the last leg of the tour by Peter and Stephen from Birchwood, onward and upward....!!

Ben Nevis pokes her head out of the mist

Monday 22nd September
Today Mileage miles 47 ∑Total to date 814 miles J

What a beautiful start to our day, Ben Nevis rising out of the mist!
A day of being social today, of speaking to human beings rather than fellow cyclists! So, the talk was not of routes, GPSs, blogs, chains, inner tubes, ham and cheese sandwiches, but of far more interesting things about other people. Why the change in emphasis I here you ask? We cycled from the spectacular Ballachulish bridge into Fort William, where we were met, with Scottish flags flying by Mr and Mrs Maclean, friends of John’s.
They wished us well and we had a few happy snaps taken. We then met contacts of John’s from Giles Insurance in Fort William who came down to the high street to have a chat and speed us on our way. We then made our way to the rather splendid Lochaber College, situated on the waterfront where a hearty reception awaited us from staff at Birchwood Highland and ladies from Highland Breast Care who had come through from Inverness, we had a lovely meal in the college restaurant (another freebie!) with Joan managing to resist her favourite sticky toffee pudding!
We acquired another happy traveller in Fort William, Tom Knowles, who works at Birchwood in Fort William. He seems like a nice chap, but it won’t be long before we will turn him into a boring cycle freak, obsessed with how many revolutions of the wheel it takes to complete the journey and what we will be eating at our next food stop!! Say goodbye to normality Tom.....!!
Did a bit of off road cycling today – on part of the Gt Glen Cycle Track – mixed opinions about this – Joan found it very bumpy and jarring (it’s her old bones, you know!), just when she thought it was going to be a nice, easy day, she had to admit that she was wrong!!! Corinne switched to the spare mountain bike with super duper new tyres and really enjoyed the change in terrain away from the traffic.
Arrived in Fort Augustus where we were met in the car park by Ann from Drumnadrochit, she’s away to visit her son and family tomorrow in Oman, so we wish her all the best.
She made what we thought was a joke – she said “I’ve just seen a sign for Slow Cyclists, is that you?” However, just before we arrived at Margaret’s B & B, Thistle Dubh in Ft Augustus, we noticed a sign on the lamppost saying “Slow Cyclists” and it had our picture on it! Nice one Margaret and you’re right about the speed! Margaret had a nice cup of tea and good Scottish Tunnocks Teacakes (Karen McWhinney take note if you’re reading this!) and Deans Shortbread for munchies when we arrived. Thank you very much Margaret for the contribution of your generous hospitality.
People have been very kind with their donations – the piper just coming back from being on the hill in Skye gave us some money from his days earnings and people we have never met have handed in money to various locations we have stopped in.

There's nae place lik Hame

Sunday 21st September
Today Mileage miles 76 ∑Total to date 767 miles J

Oh yes, we have it on record – John Bruce declares today “I do feel a little weary!” He is human after all!! He started off half an hour in front of the rest of us today and heroically cycled back up Hells Glen to the main route. What a guy! The weather when we started from Ardno was glorious – slightly misty in the early morning glens but higher up a sunny day casting up autumnal colours on the hills above Loch Fyne, on the way into Inverary. We decided not to stop for some famous Loch Fyne oysters especially as we had just had porridge!! Arrived in the picturesque but very touristy town of Inverary where we Tina and John met friends, Jenny and Colin. They had driven up from Lochgilphead to meet with us. Jenny and Tina trained together many moons ago. Jenny has a sweetie shop and very kindly made us up 4 bags of sucky sweeties – humbugs, sour plums, clover rock and fruit balls! Any sugar injections gratefully received! We were very disappointed that after covering nearly every area of the UK, the first time we had to pay for the loo was here – 20p!!
We were a bit wary of the promised long climb from Inverary to look down over Loch Awe and Ben Cruachan, however this was manageable, a climb but a long slow one and a nice run down that wasn’t too steep for Corinne’s squeaky brakes. Noteable was the Highland cows standing in a field against a mountainous backdrop with the sun shining on them making their coats look like shiny ginger. It was then on to Connel, with its distinctive metal bridge where we stopped for lunch. Jimmy has declared he is fed up of cheese and ham rolls – our stock lunchtime thing. Also had empire biscuits as special treat today! Its actually quite difficult to throw as much food down your throat as you need to keep you going. The saying “you are what you eat” has never been so apparent.
The thought of still having to do 28 miles was daunting especially as the rain started pouring. So heads down and kick in for Balluchulish and along another loch, this time Loch Linnhe. John and Tina were talking to a seal in the bay which turned out to be a buoy!
Staying in the Moorings Hotel, many thanks to Stuart Leach for allowing us to stay free of charge – highly recommended very comfortable hotel. We also had a good laugh at the waitress who, when told what we were doing, asked us if we were seeing a therapist??!!

Country No 5, and hame to Bonnie Scotland

Saturday 20th September
Today Mileage miles 65 ∑Total to date 691 miles J

We’ve all decided that no matter what England, Wales and Ireland have to offer, there’s nothing like coming back to bonny Scotland!! And Scotland was bonny when we arrived in Troon from the ferry in Larne and cycled all along the coast to Largs. John was a man on a mission, conscious of timings as we had 2 ferries to catch in our island hopping today. We sampled the best of Largs ice cream and coffee in the ultra busy Nardinis coffee shop. Corinne struggling today with a sore hip, however Joan plowed her with non prescription drugs and these mixed with Lucozade energy tablets seemed to do the trick.
Motored on to Gourock where a very kind man on a Western Ferry let us over to Dunoon for free gratis because of raising money for charity. Calmac had offered a free crossing for bikes and Jimmy’s van but the Western Ferry crossing meant a few miles off the journey. Jimmy still went by Calmac. Crossing to Dunoon was glorious over the Clyde Estuary with lots of little yachts bobbing about.
Cycled the whole length of Loch Eck and then John and Tina, the uber-fit decided they had enough energy to cycle the spur down from Ardno to the accommodation in Lochgoilhead, aptly named “Hells Glen”, a lot of ups and downs, with John enjoying the drop of 1:5 at one point. Joan and Corinne decided to pootle on round the side of the loch, taking photos and admiring the scenery especially looking back down Loch Eck, towards hills that look familiar, we think The Cobbler being one of them. We are not sure what is running through John and Tina’s veins – Joan and Corinne think they are on some illicit drugs – we will be testing them at some point!! Anyhow, Joan and Corinne got a lift from the point at Ardno where we will start from tomorrow, so we don’t really feel as if we are cheating!

Tramping up to Larne

Friday 19th September
Today Mileage miles 76 ∑Total to date 626 miles J

Mr Bruce decided that he wanted to go the “scenic” route today – adding a few miles to the journey and extra muscles to Joanie’s legs! We cycled up into the mountains of Mourne at the start of the day – heavy on the legs but beautiful hilly countryside. First stop at Dromore amid union jack flags – we thought they were just glad to see us but later realised that it was a unionist town (lucky for us!) James brought iced buns from the local bakers which were scrummy. We also got a donation from a little old lady in Dromore. Thank you Marta!

Next step was difficult – cycling through Lisburn and on to Belfast, continuous city. We went through all the infamous suburbs of Belfast, eg the Falls Road and the Crumlin Road. The Police stations were a sight to be seen – fortified under wire cages. Flags flying everywhere, “God Save the Queen” painted on the roads – truly loyalist country. We were told afterwards that there is a cycle path from Lisburn to Carrickfergus straight thru Belfast, but hindsight is a wonderful thing..!

It was then on to the coast road to Carrickfergus (John’s coast road). We had a stop at Whiteabbey, along the coast road to Larne where we met a guy called Elvis with his friend, a bricklayer, both of whom were on bikes. Elvis was described by his friend as being the type of chap that “if you told him your brother was Prince Charles he would believe you!” The other chap had an old Raleigh bike that he had done up with gold spray and black paint and had coloured beads on his wheels – he had a bike full of bling! Elvis had a number plate which said “Las Vegas” – we weren’t sure whether he was coming from or going to it! Bling bike man told us a couple of dirty jokes that we had heard before. John and Tina managed to get Tina’s bike shoe fixed for free in Carrickfergus, seem to be getting lots of freebies in Ireland.

We journeyed on to Larne via the coast road, arriving at the B & B about 6.30pm. We were met on the road by Francis, a fellow Israel cyclist who showed us where the accommodation was. Francis has recently had a hip replacement operation and advised us that she was slow on the hills. She then proceeded to do a wheelie (really!) and shot off. Francis had booked a meal at a local restaurant, the Kiln Inn, a steak night and she’s a vegetarian. The feast of steaks was supplemented by no fewer than 5 lots of tatties – chips, garlic pots, new pots, potato cubes and something called “champ” (which Corinne thought was the name of a dog food but is actually mash and spring onions).
Congratulations to Stephen and Anne Dunphy who became grandparents again, Joan cant remember what day the happy arrival was as her brain has turned to mush!!

Hiking up thru Ireland South to North

Thursday 16th September
Today Mileage miles 76 ∑Total to date 550 miles J

Nobody was particularly keen to start up again after our day off in Dublin yesterday, but nevertheless, the sunshine early in the morning gave our spirits a bit of a lift. We didn’t really seem to gel with the people in Dublin, however as soon as we journeyed into the country we found true Irish hospitality. We stopped off at the Sportsman’s Bar, run by a Mr Paul Keen who, very sportingly, gave us a meal “on the house” – very tasty chicken soup, a pint and a coffee to boot!! What a gent (and all whilst he was trying to run the bar for a local funeral). We got chatting to some little boys who were at the funeral – one of them was trolling about on my bike and the other one couldn’t believe that we had cycled from Dublin to Newry in a day! He also seemed to be fascinated by Corinne being from London – he kept asking her if she’d been to see Walford (where East Enders is supposed to be set). She couldn’t convince him that it was just a TV programme!! He told us that he could never do what we were doing and we told him that he might be able to when he was grown up, but he said that he’d “never be allowed!”
Weather was fabulous, sunny all day and very good cycle tracks, particularly down the A2 from Newry. Ireland is obviously a bit more geared up for cyclists. Roadworks going into Newry gave our health and safety man (John B) a bit of stress as there wasn’t much room to gel in with the cars, but we managed. The girls declined his offer of a detour that was going to add an extra 13 miles to the journey even if it was a bit safer. Actually, that is one of the balances of a trip like this – you could do the journey completely on minor roads but travel double the amount of miles, hence the need to travel on A roads at times.
We cycled cross “the border” from Ireland to N Ireland and all the km signs turned to mile signs so we knew were back in the UK. It was quite a sobering experience travelling through place names that are so familiar from being in the news, for all the wrong reasons. We cycled through the busy town of Newry at rush hour and out by the side of Carlingford Lock and out to Warrenpoint which is the place where the most casualties were in any bombing during the troubles in Northern Ireland. However, it is a lovely place – beautiful waterfront walkways and cafes and we had a great meal at a newly renovated restaurant along the front. Its a place that we would like to come back to and explore – there looks to be good walking in the “Mournes” – hills which surround this area.

Pictures to follow...must have food frst

O' begorran tis the Emerald isle

Tueday 16th September
Today Mileage 38miles ∑Total to date 474 miles J

Military operations at the Llanberis (Snowdon) Youth Hostel today – James, our head of chain of command, attempted to rally the troops in pulling the trailer out of a particularly muddy spot in the car park. All the gear had to be loaded and away today by 8am as we had the ferry to catch in Holyhead which is on the top of Anglesey. Joan, Corinne and Tina were like soldier ants, scurrying around – shifting, loading, moving, hauling. Oh, and trying to avoid a stranger, greater spotted toilet creeper in the hostel!! Well done to the youth hostel for providing us with an extremely varied and tasty breakfast – freshly baked croissants and loads of fresh fruit and Welsh peach melba yoghurts which reminded Tina of when she used to eat yoghurts as a wee girl! (Corinne thought all they ate in Barvas in the 60s was marrags [spelling?!] and porridge!)

Flatter country as we journeyed over the Menai Straits into very very Welsh Wales where everything is in Welsh, to a stop at the railway station with the longest name (see previous entry and pics hopefully) – 27 letters I believe. Cycled through Anglesey through driving rain which was a shame as it is probably quite a scenic place although very flat. Made good time for the boat – great huge floating beast – we’re all used to baby Calmac ferries swanning backwards and forwards towards the Hebrides.

Sailed up through the Liffy, to be sure we’re now in Ireland (although Joan said audibly “just because I’m in Ireland, doesn’t mean I have to act Irish! At which point Tina and Corinne bent under the table....!! Joan says – there wasn’t an Irish person on the ferry, it was all foreigners....!!) As the port in Dublin is so large, it took us about 20 mins to cycle through it – Corinne nearly falling off a couple of times as her bike wheel got stuck in some kind of tramline. Cycled along the coast towards Howth, a peninsula about 7/8 miles from Dublin city centre. Dublin seems to have bred a more aggressive type of cyclist – there are cycle lanes everywhere but a new type of hierarchy seems to have built up between “commuter” cyclist and “pleasure” cyclist, we being the latter and lower on the pecking order. There are signs everywhere saying “Caution Cyclists” – we are not sure whether this refers to car drivers to watch out for cyclists; to cyclists to watch out for car drivers; for power walking pedestrians to watch out for cyclists; or cyclists to watch out for other cyclists!!
Arrived at the Marine Hotel and Corinne, Joan and John headed for the pool to stretch out their aching muscles – Tina headed for the bath to do the same (but then she is much smaller!!) This is luxury indeed, something we’re not used.
Avid readers of the blog will have to wait with bated breath for a day – we are having a day off in Dublin today (Wednesday) for ALL activities, see you soon......!

On top of Wales..in the rain

Monday 15th September
Today Mileage 47miles ∑Total to date 436 miles 


This is going to be a short little story tonight as we are all pretty tired. We are staying in the heart of Snowdonia and although the distances were comparatively short today, there were a few “ups and downs” in terms of hills – at one point we climbed more than 1000 ft. Well, 1375 ft to be precise!

We have now lost Alan and Gordon who left us at Bodfari and went back to Wigan so it’s just the four musketeers again. Quote of the day from Joan at Bodfari guest house – she asked Gladys the landlady for the recipe for the lovely pork dish she made us yesterday. Gladys gave her the recipe and Joan discovered it was chicken! Whoops, nice one Joanie!!

Highlight of the day, apart from cycling through some of the most lovely countryside that Wales can throw at you, was stopping at a cafe in Llantrwist where we had real Welsh leek and tattie soup and the wifey did me and Tina a lemon curd piece! She also allowed us to video her pronouncing the longest place name in Wales – Llanfairflechochenoughofthisgog.......gogogoch!!

Rain all day today on and off, atmospheric mist in the mountains – really reminded us of home!

We are staying in the Youth Hostel tonight, so its jolly hockeysticks and all muck in together – the five us are all in the one dorm together – very cosy – very Enid Blyton Famous Five! John rustled up a great meal of pasta for us – Mr GPS might drive us all mad, but he can sure throw a meal together. Well done, John!!

Joan says to all the Aqua Ladies – now that we are in Wales, Myfanwy is singing to me!!

Bye Bye England, Over the taffy Hills to Paddy land

Sunday 14th September
Today Mileage 58miles ∑Total to date 389 miles J


Well, we were all mighty glad to leave the B & B in Shrewsbury. James was sick all night and because we didn’t have an en suite, he had to keep going out through a creaky door to a rotten little toilet. He was ok in the morning – well he ate a full English breakfast anyway. At this point, we must explain that a full English breakfast is usually bacon, sausage, egg and baked beans, unlike its Scottish cousin which is twice the size with additions of black pudding, tomatoes, mushrooms and a tatty scone!

Quote of the day today, we have selected from Gordon, one of our “waifs and strays” who, applying water to his chest at the start of the day, declared “I’m having trouble with one of my electrodes today!” We thought we might be cycling with the bionic man, but apparently this is a heart monitor to make sure he doesn’t overdo things for too long (obviously cycling nearly 200 miles in 3 days doesn’t count!!)

So onward and upward – travelled through another set of counties – out of Shropshire, into Wrexham, Flintshire, and into Denbighshire. We stopped for a cheesey photo beside the “Welcome to Wales” sign which could do with a bit of a paint job. We felt at one point that we might have cycled to the top of Wales and then we found out we had cycled through the highest village in Wales Bylchgwyh.

James, our catering manager, cleared out one of the local Spars with meat pies and little trifles and this was our Sunday lunch. He chatted up another friendly pub landlord, Roderick MacGregor at the Rose and Crown pub who seemed happy for us to lay out our food on his tables outside so long as we stopped for a pint. So, if you’re ever in the highest hamlet in Wales, call in!

We had 2 casualties today – Tina did another rollover when stopped at a crossing and opened up her old knee wound from the first time she fell off. The other casualty was Gordon’s front tyre which spectacularly blew which led to both inner tube and tyre being patched.

We will be saying goodbye to Alan and Gordon tomorrow who are going back to Wigan. They have been very gentlemanly in making sure “the flock” have stayed together and maintained a pace that is good for everyone. Corinne has forgiven Alan for asking in typical Lancashire manner when he first met her “do you not do much cycling then lass?” Corinne was not sure whether he was looking at her physique or her bike when he made this comment!!

We have decided that we have seriously landed on our feet with tonight’s guest house, Fron Haul in Bodfari. It is 700ft up one of the steepest hills ever but is in the heart of the North Wales countryside. When we arrived, the landlady, Gladys (“Glad”) had tea, coffee and home made cakes all on beautiful china plates. Their house is a rambling old farmhouse and the rooms are fabulous – James and Corinne have a little sun lounge. She made us all a lovely 4 course meal. Maybe we wont move from here for a couple of days.

Trampng up thru the Shires in the Sun

Saturday 13th September
Today Mileage 62miles ∑Total to date 331miles J



Remarkably that’s over a third of the journey completed and moving to the end of the English part of the journey from Ledbury to Shrewsbury.

Great B & B in Ledbury which seems a thriving little market town with lots of posh ladies (so Tina, Joan and Corinne felt right at home. Not!) The B & B gave us some apples and pears from their trees to eat on the journey and the mannie used his drill on Tina’s bike to fix her light fitting. Very obliging couple so a big thank you to them. As we left Ledbury, we saw a sign for “sheep racing” – not sure how that works but we were sorry we were going to miss it!! Not much later, we saw a sign for duck racing – the poor livestock in this part of the world must be knackered!! This area’s economy seems to be based on fruit and hops – saw a few oast houses which reminded Corinne of the green fields of Kent, her “home” county. There are some pretty tidy bits of property around here – we think “Beckingham Palace” (home of Posh and Becks) is somewhere round here – maybe we’ll call in for tea!!

Breaks came again in the form of pub car parks – we’ve decided that on this trip we seem to be getting away with things that ordinarily just wouldn’t happen, for example, setting up a picnic table and food in the car park of a beautiful little English village called Church Stretton in Shropshire. The locals thought we were barmy or foreign (Tina was making phone calls in Gaelic!)

The A49 provided the quickest route (the line of least resistance ie no hills) into Shrewsbury in the afternoon. Bit of argy bargy with Shrewsbury drivers – lots of hooting and fast traffic. Tina did a disappearing act on the way into the town – she went to see a man about a dog or a woman about a plant in Dobbies Garden Centre!! Nice early finish – guest house in Shrewsbury a cross between Rising Damp and Fawlty Towers (Basil Fawlty meets Mr Rigsby!!)

Onward over the severn into Wales and back into Englandshire

Friday 12th September
Today Mileage 64miles ∑Total to date 269miles J


First off, can we all say that your comments on the blog and texts and emails are very encouraging, keeping us all going, when the going gets tough. So keep it up please!!

Bit different format today – we were joined by 2 hardy cyclists, Gordon (from Linlithgow) and Alan (from Wigan). They have cycled Lands End to John O’Groats twice before – once in 7 days!!!!!! They are friends of John and Tina’s and have accompanied them on their Israeli trips.

We left East Dundry on the south of Bristol after being fed exceptionally well by Maggie. Well done to Bristol for having a connecting set of cycle lanes – the only place encountered so far in the trip. We travelled on cycle lanes to Avonmouth which takes you under the Clifton Suspension Bridge which is quite an awesome sight. We all then cycled out over the 2nd Severn Bridge which was an experience – not a breath of wind which was great for our legs.

We briefly stepped into Wales (Chepstow – over the bridge) but soon back into England to Herefordshire. We stopped for lunch overlooking the Wye Valley Hills – Jimmy by now has got the formula right – lots of rolls, cheese, ham, crisps, choccy bars which we are all scoffing with a passion.

Arrived in Ledbury after stopping for a half at the Crown Inn where a very hospitable landlord let us unload all our food again so we enjoyed a half of lager/cider/shandy in the beer garden (in the pouring rain!) We note that you can be arrested for being drunk in charge of a bike!!

Countryside is flattening out a bit – we feel like we are in the heart of England – we had a turkey farm next to us yesterday and an apple orchard next to us tonight.

Remarkably (we think anyway!), that’s over a quarter of the journey completed.

John having fun in all departments

Thursday 10th September
Today Mileage 27miles ∑Total to date 205miles J

Easy day today – apart from a few cracking hills over the Mendips – beautiful part of the England-shire, tiny little villages with quaint old pubs called funny names like the Pig and Trotter and the Castle of Comfort (obviously hadn’t ever been on any of our saddles!) We found via John’s GPS that we climbed 2 hills, one over 1000ft and the other over 800ft – Tina and John managed to cycle all the way – Joan and Corinne bottled out and walked most of the way. Tina got the prize for the first puncture, the mending of which was very much a team effort – the ladies providing the common sense and the men trying to use as many gadgets as they could (without reading the instructions!) We have a great photo of Jimmy pumping the tyre with his super duper new fangled tyre pump (why use something old that works when you can buy a new one!)

Puncture repaired, we journeyed to Wells where we decided we would have to sample Ye Olde Cream Tea before moving out of the West Country – scones with jam and clotted cream, delicious! Wells is the smallest city in the UK with a beautiful cathedral which you can see from miles away. Full of pretty hanging baskets and cobbled streets – we all agreed we would like to come back and explore at a later date (Joan wants to explore Wookey Hole, a place nearby with huge caves – there’s something about the name that tickles her!)

On from there and Bristol was our final destination – to stay with Maggie and Tim again. The view from theirs is very picturesque – rolling English hills, moo cows grazing in the fields, swimming pool in the back garden!

Its taken us 4 days, but we’ve begun to get a bit more organised – we try to plan our micro route the night before and all gear to save time in the morning.

Motoring thru Devon into Somerset

Wednesday 10th September

Mileage on Monday 60miles
Mileage on Tuesday 43miles
Today Mileage 74miles ∑Total to date 177miles J

Wednesday 10th September

Tina informs me that this is our longest day – I’m sure all our quads (muscles) and backsides will be jolly glad to hear that! Left Betty Cottles Inn after a breakfast with strange sausages and had an easy run to Crediton where we sampled the delight of the public loos (very rough – the loo roll holder was padlocked!!) After we had a coffee and quick bite and John told us we weren’t pedalling fast enough, we took on the best hills that Devon could throw at us in the run into Tiverton. We sat and ate a lunch lovingly prepared by Jimmy al fresco – in the middle of a garden centre car park – very strange looks from passing traffic!

We think things happen a bit “manyana” in Devon and they seem to be a bit short of news (or they like a joke) – we saw a headline for the Ye Olde Daily Devon Echo which read “Health and Safety Man falls off ladder”! John stopped at Ye Olde Cider factory and bought a flaggan of cider. Devon is a beautiful county – all rolling fields which look like a patchwork quilt as they are broken up by green hedgerows. Lots of pretty flowers in the hedgerows.

We journeyed on to Taunton which we crossed at rush hour. This meant that we were now in Somerset – another county crossed. Travelling into Somerset some of us lost the will to live as we seemed to by cycling for forever around flat marshy areas with man made ditches. John took a picture of a family of swans – a male and female and 5 cygnets swimming elegantly up one of the dykes.

We stayed at the Youth Hostel in Street in Somerset where we met Ann and Andrew who were keen sewing people – Ann was sewing a fish patchwork and Andrew was sewing badges of the places they had been. They had been expecting a nice quiet night until they met us!

Moving from Cornwall to Devon

Tuesday 9th September

We were given a healthy breakfast by our hosts in Bodmin – loads of fresh fruit, cereal and brown toast. From no-one knowing the family last night when we arrived to when we left, we felt we had become good friends – bon voyage to Sue and Alvin on their holiday in Tenerife and may you out foxtrot all your peers at the Sequence Dancing!

Corinne was not a happy bunny at the thought of doing 13 miles on the A30 which is the central route up the county of Cornwall, especially as it was misty, rainy and the visibility was poor. However, there was no choice, so heads down and we just had to get on with it. This was over Bodmin moor where the only beasts of Bodmin were the lorries thrashing by the side of us. Full concentration was required trying to avoid cats eyes and drains in the “bike lane” but we managed – Corinne lost a light in the process and John lost a water bottle (his “best one”!) We reached Launceston where we discovered a friendly road digger man who seemed to be tracking our progress (“I saw you yesterday coming up ‘amburger ‘ill [Hamburger Hill] and you were struggling and I thought you were mad”). Well he’s right there!!

We stopped for lunch in a rather bijou little cafe because the sign beckoned us in with “fresh Cornish pasties”. Well after 20 miles of mist and rain, the pasties which were truly Cornish (real meat and potatoes) tasted absolutely delicious – John felt they were to die for and promptly fell off his bike afterwards!! (twice, but he was ok). John, will you please stop going on now about Cornish pasties...!!

In the afternoon, we ambled along beautiful B roads which took us from Launceston to Okehampton and up over 1,000 ft to the edge of Dartmoor. So we are now in Devon – we’ve already crossed one county and are one tenth of the trip down.

The people in Cornwall seem to be lovely – loads of banter and genuinely pleased to see us. They think of themselves as a separate state – not as English and certainly don’t have much of an alliance with their neighbours from Devon.

We stayed in a place called The Betty Cottles Inn which looks rather as it sounds – bit ramshackle, one bathroom between 5 rooms and a big wet patch by the shower! But lovely meal and congenial host.

Today our rabid reporter, Tina Bruce made her first broadcast to Radio Nan Gael, the Gaelic Radio station in Lewis. Tina gave them an update on how the trip is progressing for all you Gaelic speakers and listeners out there in Gaelic land. James reckons that “tha gu math an duigh” explains it all!!

Moving from Cornwall to Devon

Tuesday 9th September

We were given a healthy breakfast by our hosts in Bodmin – loads of fresh fruit, cereal and brown toast. From no-one knowing the family last night when we arrived to when we left, we felt we had become good friends – bon voyage to Sue and Alvin on their holiday in Tenerife and may you out foxtrot all your peers at the Sequence Dancing!

Corinne was not a happy bunny at the thought of doing 13 miles on the A30 which is the central route up the county of Cornwall, especially as it was misty, rainy and the visibility was poor. However, there was no choice, so heads down and we just had to get on with it. This was over Bodmin moor where the only beasts of Bodmin were the lorries thrashing by the side of us. Full concentration was required trying to avoid cats eyes and drains in the “bike lane” but we managed – Corinne lost a light in the process and John lost a water bottle (his “best one”!) We reached Launceston where we discovered a friendly road digger man who seemed to be tracking our progress (“I saw you yesterday coming up ‘amburger ‘ill [Hamburger Hill] and you were struggling and I thought you were mad”). Well he’s right there!!

We stopped for lunch in a rather bijou little cafe because the sign beckoned us in with “fresh Cornish pasties”. Well after 20 miles of mist and rain, the pasties which were truly Cornish (real meat and potatoes) tasted absolutely delicious – John felt they were to die for and promptly fell off his bike afterwards!! (twice, but he was ok). John, will you please stop going on now about Cornish pasties...!!

In the afternoon, we ambled along beautiful B roads which took us from Launceston to Okehampton and up over 1,000 ft to the edge of Dartmoor. So we are now in Devon – we’ve already crossed one county and are one tenth of the trip down.

The people in Cornwall seem to be lovely – loads of banter and genuinely pleased to see us. They think of themselves as a separate state – not as English and certainly don’t have much of an alliance with their neighbours from Devon.

We stayed in a place called The Betty Cottles Inn which looks rather as it sounds – bit ramshackle, one bathroom between 5 rooms and a big wet patch by the shower! But lovely meal and congenial host.

Today our rabid reporter, Tina Bruce made her first broadcast to Radio Nan Gael, the Gaelic Radio station in Lewis. Tina gave them an update on how the trip is progressing for all you Gaelic speakers and listeners out there in Gaelic land. James reckons that “tha gu math an duigh” explains it all!!

The story begins

Saturday 6th September

Corinne and Jimmy arrived n Bristol @ Maggie and Tim’s 10 minutes before Maggie left to pick John, Tina and Joan at the airport. A warm welcome was provided by our delightful hosts, an Indian takeaway washed down with a few glasses of wine. Also lots of fun with a TENS machine (don’t ask!!)

Sunday 7th September

After a long lie (for some!) we set off for the Eden Project arriving shortly before lunch. A lovely day was had by all and after realising that all the shops appeared to stop trading before 6pm we decided to check in to our hostel at Land’s End and then we went out to what turned out to be a scrumptious meal with true “West Country” hospitality. Not sure about the strange bedfellows!

Monday 8th September

After fumbling around in the dark in the bedroom of the Youth Hostel, desperately trying not to wake anyone but of course waking everyone, we checked out and motored down to the Lands End emporium for a picture by the signpost (John O’Groats 894 miles). After much faffing (affixing maps; putting on and taking off tops, waterproofs; checking bikes were in working order), we were off! (After being photographed by Russian tourists led by a leader with a sporran that he purchased from Callender in the Trossachs!)

Our first town that we encountered was Hayle which had an estuary with many bird spotters – Corinne only saw seagulls, but I’m sure there were other exotic creatures there! Cycled on to our first sighting of the lesser spotted “LIDLs” (John’s fav shop). We found ourselves without a map at a place called Loggans and asked a local where it was and they told us in best Cornish “this be Loggans”!!

We then took the hilly coastal road to Portreath and had a coffee at the Hells Mouth Cafe (bit like the Bridge of Brown cafe). We also had our first casualty – Tina did a spectacular keel on the bike whilst attempting to move off, hurting her arm and grazing knee. The trouper was soon back in the saddle and motoring on.

We stopped for a late lunch near a place called Goonhavern – Jimmy boy had bought up half of LIDLs for our delight – cheese, ham, salami, rolls, yoghurts, hot x buns, crisps etc. Unfortunately there was a strong smell of manure from adjoining fields and the super duper picnic table bought by Jimmy on a whim collapsed under the considerable weight of Corinne and Joan!!

Journey from here on in was undertaken on the A30 during the rush hour.....!! Bit hairy with Tesco lorries nearly blowing us off the road, but we survived to tell the tale. Arrived at Sue and Alvin’s (parents of Joan’s work colleague Andrew) about 6.30pm. They had a very warm welcome for us together with the rest of their family, Corby, Tristan and Corby’s partner, Chris. There was much merry banter over a lovely meal of roast chicken and salad and sweet with clotted cream

Trailer pictures

Hi! Here is the promised picture of our trailer. It is absolutely fabulous! So if you see us on the road, please give us a wave/throw money at us, whatever you wish! This was done by MacSigns, Inverness! Designed by Lauren, secretary to Jimmy! I'm sorry this is brief, but its late and I'm needing my bed. We're now four days before departure!!

Tina