Safely Home Now thinking of the Trip

Well we are now safely home after festivities in Cornwall once we had completed the trip.

When we had first set off we had listened to some good advice which was to take each day at a time and not to think of the entire length of the journey.  Now that we have completed the route I think that this was spot on.  After the first few miles while pedalling towards Bettyhill against the wind and into rain it would have been depressing to think that we had well over another 1,000 miles to go.

I can honestly say that although we had some thoughts about the final end of the trip, it wasn't until we were cycling towards Hereford that I really FELT that we were on our way to Cornwall.  The day before we had had problems with the bike but they were now recitified the sun was shining and we were travelling along a fast road.  It was great.

I never had a doubt that we would complete the route.  I know that when we had told people that we were planning on doing it, I could tell from some reactions that they weren't as convinced as us but I could fully understand that.

It has been evident during the trip that you should as the saying goes, "never judge a book by its cover" and that is so true.  Being of a large physique some may have believed that I wouldn't be able to complete, but I am pleased to say that they were so wrong.

It has been a fantastic trip.  We have seen some fantastic scenery and visited some places that we hadn't been to before.  We have seen wild deer and an eagle in Scotland, we have seen birds of prey throughout the whole of the UK and met some amazing people.

We will always be appreciative to friends who have helped us during the trip be it transporting and assisting us or by driving up to John O Groats to camp in a windy field the night before just to wave us off.  Amazing.

We loved the messages of support from people who wanted to help out and let us know that they were behind us and were willing us on.

Before we set off we had messages printed on our cycle shirts showing where we were going and that it was for charity.  Jackie also had the idea of attaching a flag to the tandem showing the same.  This was a great idea.  We were amazed how after seeing us people would approach and give us money towards the charity.

The very first time this happened in Scotland was when an ex-marine approached me and appeared to say in a sarcastic voice while pointing at the Pig "You're going to Lands End on THAT?"  I was about to defend the pig with some robust when he handed over a £20 note to go towards the fund.  This was the first donation and took me by surprise.  It soon became common place.

We have had all sorts of people young and old contributing to the charity including a very young boy at Minehead, and an old woman at Loch Lomand who handed over 60p after her friend had contributed and I am still not entirely convinced that she knew what was happening and suspect she might have thought that I was warden and that she had paid to put her deckchair up.  Never mind Help for Heroes benefitted.

There was also a motorcyclist who had seen people giving money and came and handed over a few pound coins.  It wasn't until he had handed over the money that he asked what the charity was!  After I told him he replied "Well I know ******** all about soldiers but I wouldn't want to ride a bike up these hill".  Can't fault him.

As far as the charity has gone, we currently have raised well over £1350 so far but will hopefully be able to collect from others who have sponsored us.  While travelling the country we were given just over £600 from total strangers.  Brilliant.

We had planned this trip as our holiday and at times while we were pedalling up yet another hill while in pain from saddle sores we would shout out "This is not a holiday!"  Yes at times it was hard but we never thought that it would be easy.  For the majority of the time though, we loved it.

We had some big landmarks such as cycling alongside Loch Ness and also up through Glen Coe. There was crossing over the border into England and tackling the famous Shap Hill after Penrith (not the worst by a long way).  We were dissappointed on entering Wales that there was no sign to say we had done, so once we arrived at Chepstow we then went on a tour to find a sign for a picture.  Crossing the Severn Bridge seemed a big moment (even though we had a puncture a few miles after).  Then there was the moment that we hit Devon and more emotional was when crossed into Cornwall.

We will never forget cycling into Lands End to find family waiting for us and seeing how proud they were that we had done it.

We have spoken to cyclists who were completing it in less time than we took and some who wished that they had taken the same time as us as they had no time to appreciate the trip.  Each person who undertakes an End to End (because yes we are End to Enders and are proud to say so) does so for their own reasons. There is no right or wrong way to do it there is just a start and an end point.  The rest is up to you. 

We had planned a route from North to South and to include the most Northerly and the most Southerly points over a period of time that was achievable and which would provide some classic scenery and allow us to visit places that meant something to us along with those we had not been to previously.  It worked for us but might not be the choice of others.

Would we do things differently?  Perhaps only slightly - we might have chosen slightly easier places to stay at where we didn't have a huge climb to leave the next day (I am thinking of Lynton, Tintagel etc), but then again we enjoyed visiting those places and as the pain has now passed...  No we wouldn't change it.

It was certainly a different holiday to lying on a beach and soaking up the sun (although that would have been much cheaper but never mind) but we have done that before and will again.  This was an experience that we will never forget and as we look at the maps, one that we are proud of.

We couldn't have done the trip without each other and are content that we have done some good for others through the charity while also having an amazing time together.   

Sat 13 Aug Lizzard to Lands End

We couldn't believe that this day had arrived.  It was really strange cycling past St Michaels Mount and then Penzance.

While in Penzance we bumped into a couple of cyclist who were about to start their LEJOG but one of them needed to buy a new waterproof jacket first.  It seemed strange to think that they had their route in front of them while ours was nearly over.

The last 10 miles to Lands End was strange during which we talked about the journey we had completed and the people that we had met.  We both agreed that it had been an amazing trip.

It was surreal arriving in Lands End, we were met at the famous signpost by our brilliant children and their partners along with Jackies Mum who had tried to come down to meet us in surprise but the fact that she is so honest had failed miserably to keep it as a surprise and we had both full expected her to be there.

It was a great arrival and we loved it.

The total mileage was 1080 miles and pictures will be added on over the next day or so with final thoughts but just to let you all know that we made it, we are now home and are both very happy.

Fri 12 Aug Perranporth to The Lizard

After a good nights sleep we set off to Lizard Point.  We had decided right at the start of the trip that we would visit the most Northerly point of the UK (Dunnet Head) and therefore wanted to get to the most Southerly point so we were destined to visit the Lizard.

I think that the trip as starting to take effect because the first 10 or 15 miles or so seemed to be hard work even though it was only a short day.  We were staying at a B and B in Mullian which turned out to be an absolute gem of a place.  The owners were very helpful and welcoming and have a great place.

Initially we had thought that it would be a good idea to get there early drop the panniers off and for once be able to cycle with less weight on the bike.

Having arrived  and been given tea and biscuits we changed our plans and instead of cycling took parr in a fantastic 5 mile walk along the coastal path.  We wouldn't have missed that for anything.  The views were tremendous and a great change to being on the bike.

Later that night we walked back into the village where there was a good pub with great food. 

We couldn't believe that our trip was nearly over and that the next day we would meet our family again

Thu 11 Aug Tintagel to Perranporth

We enjoyed our first night in Cornwall but what a change when we woke this morning.  Tintagel was covered in what seemed like a sea fret.  Fortunately after we had eaten a marvellous breakfast from our hosts (who also provided a conttribution to the fund) we set off to find that the weather lifted very quickly.

As would appear to be the norm, we started the day with another long climb away from the coast onto the main road.  It was only for about 3 and a half miles but that was long enough straight after a filling breakfast.  Once we got onto the main road we again began to make good progress only for a hill every so often to slow us right down.

After 15 miles we came across a farm shop with a tea room so we stopped for tea.  The very nice girl their saw that in our luminous orange shirts we were doing the long ride for charity and could tell that we were battling hard against anorexia so provided us with cakes free of charge,  Mmmmm lovely.

It wasn't long befpre we dropped into Newquay and were immediatley stuck in loads of traffic going into it.  Cars were everywhere, we are used to them flying past us pipping and waving, not stuck in a long line in front of us.

Its been a long time since the last time we went to Newquay and it wasn't really what we remembered.  It was obviously very busy being the height of the summer and the black pig is a bit a beast to push around through crowds but we managed to find a viewpoint overlooking the harbour and saw 2 seals come in following the boats.  All very pleasant but soon we left Newquay behind and went on towards Perranporth.

When we arrived at Perranporth a quick phone call to the hotel confirmed what we had guessed "You need to come straight through the town and UP THE BIG HILL, we are the hotel at the top"  It's a good job that they do evening meals here.  On the bright side at least we should be alright to start the day - what am I thinking?  This is Cornwall tomorrow there will straight away be a downhill followed by a large hill immediately after.

It has got to the point now where we are dreading when there is a downhill because we just know what that will lead to.......

Another big milestone today.  We did 43.9 miles today which means we have actually done 1014.9 miles since starting!!!!  Most end to enders would have finished after that mileage but not us.  We still have a trip to the most southerly point (The Lizard) before we turn to Lands End. 

wed 10 Aug Clovellly to\Tintagel

What a cracking day. It was a good day nigfht lst night going for a meal down in Clovelly the only thing was it was a 2 mile walk either way and anybody who has been to Clovelly will know how the return journey can be.  Anyway we did make it and survived the walk.

We had a great sleep and our host Helen provided us with a fantastic breakfast.  It was amazing.  She then introduced us to her two micro pigs a couple of cooney cooneys called Terry and ginger Steve were shown to us.

We then set off and against 25 mph winds made not bad progress. we callled at Bude and then continued to Tintagel.

The b and b is brill and we had a great night just excited that we are in Cornwall and the end is now in site

Devon equals big hills

Ditto but its great to be here

Just a quick pickie of where we are tonight.  Hope you  are all well although Have a greaT night and just to let you know i (john had no phome signal for 2 nights and still don't

Tue 9 Aug Lynton to Clovelly

This has been a very good day.  We had had a great night sleep at Seacliffe and had been looked after by our hosts Sue and Andy.  We were also provided with cake for the journey.  It might be that they do that to all their guests however it may also be that they realised how punishing it was for cyclists to leave their home.  They did advise us of the best route to take but t still involved a 4 mile hill - I kid you not.

After a great breakfast it was quite torturous to get to the top but we made it.  We then carried on across the rolling Devon hill along the coast to Barnstable where we picked up the Tarka Trail.  This had been suggested by Andy.  Andy we are grateful.  It was a nice flat 9 miles along the river to Bideford.  We even stopped off for tea and a game of Castle. Brilliant.

After Bideford the rolling Devon hills took their toll again but it didn't matter as it was a short (mileage) day today with only 40 miles to ride.

We have now dropped on another cracking B and B at the top of Clovelly with a huge room with a sea view.  As I sit here now the sun is shining, the sea is a deep blue and the cows in the field opposite look as contented as I feel.

We even have a BATH!  So we have both had a long soak and are feeling good.  We are going to take the 2 mile walk down to the harbour and may then change our view when we walk back but at the moment we are very happy.  We cannot believe that tomorrow we cross the border into Cornwall!!

(Shaz - the room that we have today has a secret little cupboard which immediately reminded us of your thoughts about a boy and some scratching in the night!)

Monday 8 Aug Burnham on Sea to Lynton

Another great day but very long

We headed off stopping off at Halfords in Bridgewater to buy new inner tubes and to borrow their pump to get plenty of air in the tyres.

It was then a good run but against the wind which was a head wind all day.

It was 58 miles today and we called at Minehead where again neither of us had been before.

We then headed along the A39 and reached Porlock.  We had been warned by some other cyclists about the A39 at Porlock hill and told to take the toll road which we did.  This avoided a 1 in 4 but was still about a 4 mile climb but clearly not as difficult as the A39 road.  The toll road was stunning but still took some time.

In fact we didn't get to Lynton until 6.45pm.  A long day.  Fortunately here we have not been double booked and the accommodation is beautiful.  We have had a great meal and can sleep soundly in our beds knowing that we have made it to Devon and have done a total of 893 miles since setting off!

Minehead bathed in sunshine but with a viscious head wind for cyclists approaching from the East!

Sun 7 Aug Chepstow to Burnham on Sea

This seemed another big landmark day when we set off from Wales and crossed over the Severn Bridge back into England.  It was strange to think that we had gone all the way to Bristol and that by tonight we would be in Somerset.

It wasn't a perfect day though as after leaving Peter who escorted us over the bridge, we had another puncture this time in the front tyre from a nail on the cycle path.  Another quick repair job but again couldn't get as much air in without a good proper pump.  So we then had to take it steady to Burnham on Sea. 

It wasn't a bad rfun there but when we got there we then found out that the b and b had double booked us!  We had a bit of a panic thinking where we could go and how far we would have to travel.  Fortunately they were able to locate another room nearby.  Unfortunatley it wasn't marvelous and we were pleased to leave.

The Severn Bridge Crossing

Sat 6 Aug Hereford to Chepstow

This was another cracking day.  We were once again fortunate to be given a donation by the b and b owners then set off for the short journey to Chepstow.

This was only a short day but still took a while due to some hilly parts through to Monmouth.  After Monmouth we dropped onto a reallyt nice road that took us to Chepstow. It was very pretty following the river all the way. |As we were getting closer to Chepstow we were caught up by a nice bloke on a racing bike who asked where we were going and then guided us towards where we were stopping.  Another good chap.

This night we were staying with some friends and need to say thank you very much to Heather and Peter who made us feel very welcome and really looked after us, taking us out for a meal providing a tour of Chepstow and also very importantly using their washing machine to clean our clothes - brilliant.

Friday 5 Aug Shrewsbury to Hereford

This was a much much better day.

After breakfast we took the pig into Stan James cycles in Shrewsbury.  They very kindly fitted the pig in for some TLC and some corrective beahvioural training.  The rear tyre had a hole in the side so needed a replacement and they suggest a new chain to sort out the gear issues so we had one put on.

After that the pig was brilliant.  We seemed to fly for the next few miles to Ludlow where we had dinner.  Neither of us had been to Ludlow before but it was very very nice.

The B and B we had booked was just outside Hereford and again we had come up trumps.  It was beautiful.  We were in an annex in a huge garden with a large pond with ducks, moor hens and chickens running around.  We felt very at one with nature.

That night feeling very upbeat after yesterday we went to the local pub in the village only to discover that there was a singer on.  The place suddenly became packed.  While the singer was setting up he came into conversation with Jackie and after finding out what we were doing he dedicated the first half a dozen songs or so to us two. 

It was a cracking night where we were made to feel like celebrities.  The beer was flowing far too well.  Jackie ended up talking to an ex farmer called James Barr who kindly gave us a lift home after closing.  Top man. I dont think that we will ever forget that night for quite a number of reasons including meeting some amazing people.

I turned my back for one minute then found out that Jackie was chatting up the locals!

Thu 4 Aug Haydock to Shrewsbury

Sorry for the followers of the blog for the lack of activity on here.  Certain people have told me off for not updating it even though we are busy cycling through the country and can't get internet access at all the places we go to. Anyway we are finally at a place with access to the internet so let me tell you what has been happening.

We set off from Haydock feeling a little rougher than we anticipated.  This is due to 2 people from Stoke Valda and Martin who very kindly contributed to the fund and also insisted on buying us drinks even though we had intended on an early night.  We are not ones to complain though and enjoyed their company.  We just felt a bit rough setting off.

There is only one way to describe this day - rubbish.

It poured for about 3 hours.  All the way through Warrington and a long way after.  We were drowned.  We then stopped for something to eat when the rain stopped and after that discovered that the Black Pig was misbehaving.  The pig was cefinately being a pig and all the gears were slipping continuously.  We thought that the rain might have something to do with it but when we found a bike shop they thought that it needed adjusting and that they had fixed it.  We set off again only to find out that it hadn't been fixed and was still jumping.

I have been having to take ibrufen for pain in my knees so the fact that I was forced to remain in a high gear even on the hills was not good news but we continued towards Shrewsbury hoping to get there then see if we could find another bike shop tomorrow.

Typical of this day things went even worse when 7 miles from Shrewsbury we had a rear wheel puncture.  So we stripped it down put a new tube in only to discover that the pump that we had was playing up and so we couldn't put much air in.  Fortunately the B and B owner came and took our luggage and relieved the weight from the bike so we were able to cycle on with less air in the tyre than we wanted.

Random photo of a sunset at Morecombe

Fortunately the b and b was lovely and we were able to relax, get some food and crash out.  Today was not a good day.

Wed 3 Aug Morecombe to Haydock

Not a bad days cycling at all today.  I had estimated that it was going to be around 50 or so miles.  It actually was 58.9 miles. Jackie has resigned herself to the fact that it will be at least 8 miles more than I have said it will be so she is not that dissappointed anymore.

It has been quite hot today and we had to make certain that we had plenty of liquid intake and it was all water.  The proper intake will be tonight.

There hasn't been much to update you with today.  It was just a good day.  Quite fast in places but also a little confusing in other areas - such as Leyland when Jackie went into a shop to check our route taking the map in with her. When she came out she was still none the wiser but fortunately we kept on the right road.

In fact this has been a bit of a theme with Jackie.  She went into  Police station at Dumfries ealier on for directions which I am sure were given to her perfectly.  Did she know where to go after we set off again?  Did she heck!

Later on today we stopped to check with woman as to the best way to get to our hotel.  Jackie "listened" for a few minutes then once again didn't have a clue, and actually said that she was lost straight away so hadn't bothered to pay attention.  For all those who have ever given Jackie directions - I am sorry for the waste of your time.

We once again have been approached by some lovely generous people who have donated to the fund.  We were handed £5 each by some women in a car next to us in Preston, a man outside a supermarket, and a woman who stopped along side of us on a minor road heading towards Haydock.  Thank you.

A special thank you to Dave and Paula from the Wilmslow who today made a generous donation prior to us leaving.  He is also ex-forces and was pleased to help the cause.  Thank you.

Well I can't leave without another couple of pictures from previous days so here you go.

Jackie and the Black Pig at Gretna (how about this for a small world.  We were given money by a nice couple here who only then turned up at our accommodation in Morecombe - whats the chances?

Made it to England - when we set off we both started singing Jerusalem - fortunately there was nobody around to hear it - well fortunately for them!

One of the first signposts we came across when we made it back to England.   It reminded us of the birthday that we have missed while on our adventure of one of our friends.  Sorry pal but we will make it up to you.

Tuesday 2nd Aug Penrith to Morecombe

Well this was an interesting day.  We woke up to some torrential rain and I mean torrential.  We realised straight way that unless we got some covers for the panniers then everything would be soaked so the very first thing we did was to buy some pannier covers for the pig in a cycle shop in the town centre.  It was a good idea however they only rotected them so much against the Cumbrian rain.

We then had several miles of riding along the wettest roads ever

About 10 miles out of Penrith is a hill called Shap which is quite well known among cyclists.  Obviously we had the bad weather which didn't help, however we didn't think that Shap was too bad.  We just got into a low gear and kept on rolling.

After the summit it was a great downhill that seemed to go on for a long time and then dropped into Kendal.  By this time the rain had stopped and we were able to strip off the waterproofs and have a nice lunch outside a cafe.

We have met some very interesting people during this trip and one of our regrets is that we didn't take photos of some of the ones who have made an impression.  2 of these were at the cafe.  Anyone who watches Gavin and Stacey would have appreciated that fine old woman who played the sex made Doris.  I swear that the woman next to us who we got talking to was the spitting image. 

We then were approached by a guy who began talking to us and telling us how he had cycled 8,500 miles in 6 years but was now into hill walking which was much harder.  Once again we began to think about comedy sketches and straight away likened him to one of Paul Whitehouse's characters on the Fast Show "Cycling - hardest game in the world etc etc".  Might not mean much to others but after a few hours cycling in the rain up Shap it brightened us up for a little while.

It wasn't until we left Kendal that we realised that the weather had broken my cycle computer with all the rain.  There was nothing else for it but a trip to a cycle shop for a new one.  Again this was one of those situations were you had to be there to appreicate it, but it was a proper comedy sketch in our eyes.  It was a bit of a cross between Open All Hours with Arkwright and poor young Granville and an episode of Little Britain where there is the bloke in the shop who has to keep shouting to his wife who was round the back.  Like I said, you had to be there but they brought loads of fun to us 2.

The Black Pig with its new pannier covers.

After that we went to Morecombe which was for the first time for both of us.  We were very impressed with it.  We stayed at The Wilmslow and had a lovely sea view.  The sun shone for the late evening and we wandered along the prom for a well deserved curry.   

Sunday 31st Jul and Mon 1 Aug To England

Well folks wasn't able to update the blog because of no internet so let us briefly update you what has been happening.  On Saturday night we successfully found a cracking pub near the harbour that did really good food so we were very content after that day.

On Sunday we cycled from Irvine to Dumfries.  Initially it started off alright but then after Kilmarnock we were battling against a head wind for what seemed like ages. It was really hard work and we just didn't seem to be making progress but then somehow we had a couple of good downhills then the wind seemed to drop and all was good again.  In fact the last 20 or so miles to Dumfries it was a good run that we had.

The only downside of today was when our flag broke.  It was one downhill for it too much and snapped in half.  We are still flying it but it is only half the side of what it was.

Monday 1 Aug   

This is a huge day for us.  This is the day that we crossed the border into England.  Yes we have now officially cycled from the top of Scotland and into England.  To us 2 that has been a great achievement.  We left Dumfries and after about 24 miles we were into Gretna.  We stopped to do the touristy bit and had a coffee near to the famous blacksmiths and all that.  It wasn't long before we were once again being given money for the fund.  Today has been special for us but also good for Help For Heroes with the money at Gretna, donations outside Morrisons at Carlisle when we stopped for salad (yes I did say salad!) and from a lorry driver outside a garage we have got over £70 for the Heroes. People can be so good.

Todays cycling has been perhaps the easiest so far.  I had worked out the mileage as being about 50 miles but once again that didn't go to plan and we completed another 58.8 miles.  It was on decent roads though and we didn't find it too bad.

We did have a good bit of fun before we got to Penrith.  About 10 miles before we got there we were flying downhill when we noticed that there was a group of cyclists in a layby getting drinks from their support vehicle.  They waved to us and then further on the road they overtook us as we tackled a hill and complimented us and wished us luck.  As it turned out they are also doing John O Groats to Lands End and also for Help for Heroes.

After a little while there was another downhill and much to their surprise we not only caught them but overtook them.  The look on their faces when the portly tandem rider and his wife riding a bike laden down with luggage overtook them on their racing bikes was priceless.  We have discovered that although we struggle a bit uphills on the flat and downhill we aren't too bad at all.  For the next few miles we continued to keep up with them and overtake them only to be overtaken again going uphill but they certainly inspired us to keep the speed up and we soon made Penrith.

So tonight after a meal with some friends that turned up and gave us yet another shock, we are now in some very good accommodation knowing that the adventure continues tomorrow when we head off to Morecombe.  Well it will be nice to see the sea again so why not go there.  I worked out the mileage as going to be 56 miles which isn't bad but lets just see how it turns out as each day the estimated mileage seems to be highly inaccurate and never shorter than estimated!

No pictures today I am afraid as for some reason my camera won't connect to the computer so for those interested you will have to wait to see the pictures at the border but let me asure you we are on track and are now in England.  Goodnight.