A Final Word...

Neil came up with this bonkers idea just off the top of his head one day driving Lena to the airport. he said "I fancy cycling from Lands End to John o Groats" somehow or other, out of my mouth came "I'll come with you". How did that happen? The following week we bought new bikes and some cycling type paraphernalia, borrowed some gear and had a few practise runs in-all about 70 miles. The longest run was along the canal in Exeter to Exmouth about 25 miles. I didn't really want to tell anyone in case we didn't do it and had to come home early, I thought that would be too embarrassing. But nothing can be secret on the balcony and everyone got to know so we just had to do it.

We owe a huge debt of thanks to many people, and you all know who you are, our family and friends who kept us going believing in us and sending messages of support, that meant so much and really spurred us along. To Lena who showed me how to blog and published all my blogs with pictures and of course sent daily messages of encouragement. To Barb who made me a special pair of pants to help with the saddlesores, thanks Barb, I don't think they will catch on with Sir Bradley and his friends. To all the lovely people we met along the way, people we don't know and will never meet again who urged us on and helped in their various ways. And of course to our great Gareth who went out of his way to come and meet us and the end of the country and drive us back to sanity, and home, which our wonderful friends and family had looked after for us along with a very porky looking Charlie Girl!. Thank you all.

......and to Neil who came up with this harebrained scheme, he was inspiring, brilliant, patient and good fun, without him I wouldn't have thought of it and certainly would never have completed this journey. Thank You for Everything my Babe.


Interesting facts:

Total miles 904

Total punctures 5

Tubs of butt cream used 3

Best Hotel Loch Lomond Arms Hotel at Luss

Worst Hotel The Kings Arms at Lockerbie

Best B&B. The Anchorage in John o Groats

Worst B&B Ardmory in Fort William

Best cycling From Fort Augustus to Fort William along the Great Glen

Worst cycling Lybster to Brora against the wind on the second day.

Best Meal the pizza at Sutor Creek in Cromaty

Worst Meal at the Kings Arms Lockerbie

Best Beer Lancaster Blond in The Dukes Head Armathwaite  Cumbria

Worst Beer McEwans  70/- at The KIngs Arms Lockerbie.

Two Old Farts at The End of the Road