Thursday 26 June 2014

more blog from mum


Sunday 22nd June 

Today has been quite eventful.  We were served our breakfast, which was lovely but none of us felt like eating it this morning after eating so late last night.  It was a really lovely hotel and very comfortable.

Today we are heading for Dumfries, about 58 miles.  Caroline was not going to attempt to ride until much later in the day, as she wanted to rest her leg as much as possible. She is disappointed but the hills out of Ayr were quite steep.  Having had our bike mended, Gra said he would do the first part of the journey with all the hills.  What we didn’t realise was now the electrics were not working on our bike.

Caroline and I stopped in Ayr to get some salads for lunch in Morrison’s.  We were heading on the A713 to Dalmellington.   We stopped just outside the village and made a cup of coffee to have with our doughnuts.  The kettle was hot but by no means boiled, when the gas ran out.  Not to worry, we had warm coffee instead.  Nobody complained. 

As Gra had no electrics and our bike is quite heavy, Andy swapped bikes with him as his legs are stronger.

We then headed for Carsphairn, which was about half way.  We found a picnic area with some toilets which was perfect to eat our salads.  We were all in high spirits and had a really nice lunch.

I changed with Gra at this point, as we had now gone on the B729 and was a really nice little road.  Andy said I could swap bikes with him too but I couldn’t get my leg over the crossbar.  My legs are a lot stronger now that when we started but not that strong.  As it was such a nice little road Caroline decided she would have a go on her electric trike.  We got it out of the van, Gra drove off and we had forgotten to put the battery on.  We were going downhill so it didn’t matter too much and told Gra not to come back, we would catch him up.

By the time we reached him Caroline had decided her leg didn’t feel right and she and Andy would try the tandem, it might be easier.  We sorted all the van again to get the tandem out.  As Andy was on the tandem, Graham decided he would use Andy’s bike, as it was lighter and faster than his.

Off we go again.  Two minutes down the road, after Gra had left us again, Caroline and Andy had a puncture.  Dani decided she would ride down the hill and catch Gra, as none of us had phone signal.  When I caught up with them, I decided I would ride down to Dani so she wouldn’t be waiting on her own. 

Gra came back and it was decided that Caroline’s leg really wasn’t strong enough for the roads we were on.  I have to say again, the countryside is stunning.  The views were so different but just as beautiful as yesterday and the day before, and the day before that. It was very hilly though and tough for us all.  Andy and Dani were the only ones that didn’t appear to be struggling.  I think they might have been inside but never once let on.

After reaching Dani I decided I couldn’t do any more as there seemed to be a restriction on the wheels.  After the decision was made, Dani, Andy, Graham and Gra had about three or four miles down without any ups.  Great as it was really hot.

Caroline and I were stopping about every 3 or 4 miles for the four of them to reach us until we reached Dumfries. 

It’s a lovely town but we are all too tired to appreciate it.  Caroline and I went to get a take away and bought it back to the hotel.  Andy and Graham went into town to watch the football.  We went to bed.  Another day tomorrow.

Monday 23rd June

Today is our 41st Wedding Anniversary.  We didn’t think we would be doing this on our 41st anniversary all those years ago, I will rephrase that, we didn’t think we would be doing this ever.

Today we will be leaving Scotland, we are heading to Penrith in Cumbria.  What a way to see our beautiful country.  But first we have to get the electrics fixed on my bike.  

I have to say the Joggle Clan is a motley crew but we are working so well together.  We have Dani up front leading the way with her great route we are all following.  She is always calm and seems to be chilled out.  Whether she feels that inside, we can’t tell.  But she’s really doing so well with no complaints.  We have Andy who is so strong and watches out for everyone, especially Caroline.  If ever any of us are struggling Andy is there for them.   Graham has been a great boost to Andy and has taken a lot of the strain, especially with the tandem.  It’s not easy on that.  It’s great on flat and downhill but a nightmare on any uphill’s.  I don’t know how they are doing it.  (That includes Caroline).  I’m sure Graham hurts sometimes but is not letting on.  I would say that Graham is definitely bringing up the rear (the rear being me and Gra).  He does a grand job when we are lagging behind.  As for Caroline, she is the one that keeps us all happy and focused on what we are doing, whether on the bike or in the van.  She has been gutted about her leg but knows as well as we do, if she gets back on the bike too soon, she will be in the van till the end.  That’s not what any of us want.  This would not be happening if it were not for her.  We are all so proud to be part of her and Dani’s challenge. 

Well back to today.  We had breakfast at the hotel at 7.30am.  Dani, Andy and Graham left us about 9.30.  We took the bike to a couple of bike shops.  The second thought it was the hub on the front wheel.  They said he couldn’t do anything for us today as they had so much work on.  With that we went and got lunch for everybody.  We then phoned the bike shop in Wimborne, who I have to say have been very helpful.  He said he would get the rep to ring us. 

In the meantime Gra decided he would cycle with the others without electrics.  So we caught up with them at the first hotel we came to in Gretna Green.  It was called Gables Hotel.   While locking the bikes, the manager came over to us and asked about the cycle ride.  He was talking to us for a long time and was really impressed.  He said he wanted to take our photo in front of the hotel and he would put it on their facebook page.  He said we might get people to sponsor us from that.  He also gave us £20.00 for the charity.  They really made quite a fuss of us.

Caroline and I left them at The Gables, so we could look for a layby to boil the kettle and have our lunch.  We stopped for about an hour, just the other side of Gretna Green.  Dani, Andy, Graham and Gra said the cycling was a lot easier than it had been over the last couple of days.

We left them after lunch and we were heading for Carlisle.  They were going to be on cycle tracks so would not meet up with them until the other side of the town.  We stopped in a little village the other side of Carlisle called High Heskel, when Gra rang.  The bearings on the bike had gone again, so there was nothing else to do but go back and pick him up, put the bike in the van and ring the rep again.  He said he would get a new wheel sent to which ever shop was nearer, on Wednesday and we would take the bike and have the new wheel fitted there.

What a pain.  Looking on the bright side, it could have been the van that was giving us trouble, that would be a much bigger problem.

By this time the three cycling had nearly reached Penrith so we went straight to the apartment we were staying in tonight.  It was lovely with kitchen, living room, 3 bedrooms, bathroom and toilet.  So tomorrow, no cooked breakfast.  Hooray.  I know we could say no to cooked breakfast but we don’t.

We thought about cooking tonight but we haven’t got a cooker.  (Shame).  So we went to the bar downstairs. It was a really lovely meal.

After that we went upstairs and played Gas Board Fives card game.  We all had a really good laugh and really chilled out. 

24th June 2014

Penrith is a lovely little town.  We didn’t really have time to appreciate it again.  By the time we had all had breakfast and packed again, we left about 9.30am.

Today we are heading for Windermere.  Caroline and me are in the van with Gra driving.  The scenery had changed again.  It was tiny little roads with dry stone wall.  So pretty.  Dani, Andy and Graham said the cycling was quite hard. 

We stopped at a village called Glenridding  and had a coffee.  Then we were stopping every few miles for the cyclist to catch up and make sure they were OK.  We were following Ullswater along the A592.  We got some really lovely photos.  We also went past Brothers Water, then, without any notice at all the road went up, and up, and up then up again. In the van it was spectacular, but we all felt so sorry for Dani and the boys.  It was an unbelievable climb.  We waited near the top.  We knew they would be walking a lot of the way.  Andy came first on Graham’s bike, then Graham and then Dani.  Dani had found it really difficult on the bits she had to walk as she had cycling shoes that clip onto the pedals on her bike.  It makes them really difficult to walk in.

We had to give them time to recover before we could move on.  When we got to the top, the view was equally as spectacular.  It was a nice ride down for them but  had lots of twists and turns, so they couldn’t get any real speed going.

The hotel we are staying at tonight is on the banks of Windermere about 3 miles the other side of the town. A beautiful old hotel called Beech Hill Hotel.  The girls were so excited as it has a swimming pool.  Andy and Graham are not staying with us tonight, as they were going to walk up Scarfell tomorrow morning.  They have decided not to do that now but had already booked the hotel.  They were going to bike there but Gra took them in the van and will pick them up tomorrow morning.

Caroline and Dani have already made full use of the swimming pool.  We purposely made this an easy day so we could all relax.

We have just organised with Caroline and Dani to have a bar meal tonight.  The restaurant is a little pricy for us.  After they want to play cards again.  That sounds good to me. 

Gra went to bed early, before tea, as he has man flue.  Actually he really was quite poorly.  I didn’t get much sleep, apart from being too hot, Graham was tossing and turning all night.  Hope he feels better tomorrow and none of us get his germs.

Wednesday 25th June

Gra did feel a lot better this morning.  We had breakfast about 7.30am.   Gra then went to pick up Andy and Graham.  Me, Dani and Caroline packed the bags and got the bikes ready and waited for them to return. 

We left the hotel about 10 O clock.  Today we are heading for Preston.  We have also heard from the rep about our bike.  He had a new wheel sent to a shop in Preston yesterday, which will arrive today and we need to take the bike and he will mend it for us (We hope).

Out of Windermere the roads were quite hilly again, which was a hard start but then a lot of the roads were very small, and cycle ways, so it was really a nice ride again.  We all wish we had been cycling on roads like this.  It was quite difficult following them in the van as our map doesn’t show cycle routes.

Anyway we stopped in a lovely little village called Beetham to have coffee at the Wheatsheaf Hotel.  As it was now 12 noon we decided to stay for lunch.  We only wanted sandwiches.  You should have seen them.  Caroline, Gra and I had fish finger sandwiches.  They were enormous.  Dani had a pork sandwich, Andy had scrambled egg and smoked salmon, Graham had a Cumbrian Platter.  They all had salad and chips.  We are eating very well on this trip, that’s OK if you are cycling but not if we are sitting in the Van.

After that we had to leave Dani, Andy and Graham and go into Preston and get the bike fixed.  We arrived there about 2.15pm.  He said it would be ready by 4pm so we went and had coffee in Preston to wait.  By 4pm Graham was back on the bike, cycling to the hotel to make sure it was OK for tomorrow.

Caroline and I went in the van, unpacked and waited for the others.  The bike is OK at the moment but we don’t have faith in it now.

When they arrived, they said it had been another really nice day.  I think it was 58 miles in total.  They got a little lost in Lancaster town centre but not for long.  Because they were on such small roads, they were able to talk and have a laugh together.  When they are on busy roads it’s not so much fun.

Caroline, Andy, Dani and Graham went out after they had had showers and got cleaned up.  Gra and I were still stuffed from lunch time and decided to skip tea tonight.  I’ll let you know tomorrow what they did. (Probably glad to have a night off from the oldies). 

Monday 23 June 2014

sponsorship




This very nice Hotel, The Gables has just sponsored us £20, and have taken this very nice photo, to put on their website, to try and get more sponsorship for us. Thanks for your support.!!!

Sunday 22 June 2014


Wednesday 18th June

Today we were up early.  We had breakfast and again the lady couldn’t do enough for us.  We loaded the van and we set off about 8 O clock.  It was a lovely ride through Inverness.  Dani’s Sat Nav took us all through the lanes, across the river and on to the main road to Fort William.  The road was a bit busy to start with but the sun was shining and we had a bit of a breeze and it was the most beautiful ride by the loch. We were all really enjoying it.  Graham was driving this morning and Caroline was on her trike. We were making good progress. We needed to as we had 64 miles to do today.

We had no fallings off or out, it was lovely, not too many hills and we knew if we went up we had a nice ride down.  That is not always true in Scotland.  We stopped for coffee at a visitor centre.

At about 11.30 we bought some lunch in a post office.  We were not ready for lunch at this point. I took over the van and Graham to bike.  I then went to find somewhere in the shade that we could all stop and eat our lunch.  It was about 12.30pm by then. 

Graham, Andy’s brother phoned at that time, to say he had reached Fort William.  He was supposed to be getting there at tea time to join us for 10 days.

Before I go on, it’s going to get a bit complicated with 2 Grahams.  I shall called my Graham Gra and Andy’s Graham, Graham.

As everyone was OK I thought it might help if I collected Graham from Fort William and bring him back to the others to help Andy.  By this time Caroline and Andy were on the tandem and its really tough on the hills.  If Graham had known, he might not have been so keen to get to us.  It was a help and saved about an hour in time.  I took over from Gra on the bike at this stage as well.

As we don’t mention Dani very much, it’s not that were are leaving her out but she is there for all of us and gives encouragement to us all when needed.  She also keeps Caroline laughing.

We arrived at our hotel in Fort William about 7.30pm.  Andy and Graham are leaving us tonight to go up Ben Nevis early tomorrow.  They are staying in a bunk house at the bottom of Glen Nevis.  Then they will catch us along the road to Oban tomorrow.

After they had gone we four decided we would have a McDonalds, have a shower and go to bed.  When Graham and I got to the McDonalds they had a power cut and had closed for the night. We did get a burger and took it back to the hotel.  Then we had a shower and went to bed.  A very long but enjoyable day.

Thursday 19th June

Caroline, Dani, Gra and I had all slept in the same room last night.  I woke at about 5 O clock.  When Dani work and looked at me I said “Good Morning.”   By the look Dani gave me I knew I had said the wrong thing. She wasn’t grumpy, but was not ready to wake up. 

Gra and I went to the town to get some milk.  On our way back to the hotel we saw a place to get breakfast so Caroline and Dani came to meet us.  We were eating breakfast when Andy an Graham came back too.  They had walked up to the waterfall on Ben Nevis and thought better of it. 

We all had achy muscles today.  I had given Caroline a deep heat massage before we left the hotel.  I did offer it to anyone else who needed it but the screeches from Caroline put them off a bit.

By now it was a little late to start but we set off for Oban.  This was again a lovely ride following the loch. Caroline and Dani had been really tired after yesterday’s mammoth trip, but at least we had a breeze today.  I cycled for the first 7 or 8 miles, then Gra took over. Andy and Graham were also swapping with the tandem. 

We stopped for coffee in a nice hotel with a swimming pool and were very tempted to have a dip but decided to get on our way again.  Gra was on the bike.  It was his turn today, to fall off, although by the look on his face he hadn’t realised that.  It did make us laugh. I wasn’t quick enough with the camera otherwise that would be on facebook tonight.

They set off again.  I hadn’t realised it, driving the van but there were a lot of cycle paths along this route.  It makes it so much nicer than having to hold the traffic up on the roads.  Most people are really good and patient though.

We had lunch about an hour or so later at another café at Portnacroish.  Caroline and clan had a deer on the footpath before them at one stage.  He didn’t seem to be a bit concerned and even posed for photos.

They came across some amazing bridges today.  One at North Ballachulish and the other at Connel.  I did take some photos but I was a bit far away for them to be good.  Another lady I met while I was at Connel and got talking to took some photos for me with her big camera.  She said she will email them to us.

Just after that Graham had a puncture so I had to go back and collect him.  This was about two miles out of Oban. The others made it to the hotel about 7pm.  We got some food and cooked in the hotel tonight. 

Caroline has hurt her ankle today and is in quite a lot of pain, so we were all really pleased when she said she might not ride tomorrow.  Not that we didn’t want her to ride, but it was her decision not to.  We all thought that she might carry on regardless.  She was very disappointed but we were all relieved.

Friday 20th June

Today it seemed funny to have a passenger in the van, but very nice.  We had to get lunch for everyone and had a shopping list, so Caroline and I went into Oban.  We brought Caroline a good brace for her ankle which we put straight on.  It helped a lot. 

It gave her a different perspective to be in the van rather than on the bike.  Dani, Andy and the two Grahams were making good progress.  We were heading toward Claoriaig Bay to catch the ferry to Lochranza on the Isle of Arran.  We were doing this as we did not want to anywhere near Glasgow on bikes.

They had gone a lot further than expected.  It was a stunning ride but really hard work.  We had about 65 miles today, and a ferry to catch, which always adds pressure as the last ferry is 7pm.  Looking at the views today it was so beautiful, you miss so much in a car but the hills were very high.  When you are going up its such hard work, but the coming down in wonderful.  So exciting.  You can free wheel down the other side for sometimes two or three miles.

We had our lunch in a layby again.  Much needed today with all the hills.  I couldn’t do too much uphill riding, even with the electric bike.  We stopped in a hotel at Kilmartin about 2 O Clock, to have a drink and to charge our batteries. (Ours and the bikes).

Caroline and I watched them go all the way down the valley before we left.  They were still making such good progress, We reached the ferry just before 6 O clock.  We waited an hour for the ferry to come, which was more time than the last ferry we took.  We were on the ferry  about half an hour, and the hotel was 2 mins from the ferry.  We were all really relieved and went straight to the bar for tea.  We all decided, Caroline not on her bike today was the best thing as the hills would have been too difficult for her and we would definitely have missed the ferry.

Then to bed, for Gra and I anyway.  I think the boys went back to the bar.

Saturday 21st June

We woke up this morning to rain.  We have been so lucky with the weather so far we can’t complain.  The bay as stunning. We packed the van early as we wanted to leave straight after breakfast.  By now the rain had stopped.  Breakfast again was lovely, although we are all feeling we have had enough cooked breakfasts.

The ride on Arran this morning was straight up hill for miles, then straight down again for another few miles.  Caroline decided it was too much for her to get up the hill so came in the car with me.  As soon as we left the hotel Gra was having trouble with our bike.  He did try and mend it but realised it was the bearing in the front wheel. It would have been  impossible to catch Dani, Andy and Graham, (maybe not Graham) there was nothing left to do but put the bike in the back and ride in the van with us. 

It was a mammoth incline.  We parked at the top and waited for them.  Andy also wanted to put the camera on his bike to record the decent.  They said it was amazing.  I think I was safer in the van.  Very scary.  Caroline did have the option of going down on her trike but she felt the same as me. 

When we reached the bottom Caroline decided to get on her trike to see how the ankle felt as we were now on the flat until the ferry at Brodick Bay.  Again different scenery but beautiful.

We almost drove straight on the ferry and it was good to sit and have something to eat while crossing back to main land at Ardrossan.  We stopped in the Asda car park to make some adjustments.  Dani had done a brilliant job of planning the journey and putting the whole thing on her Garmin, to give us directions, but today when we got on the ferry it thought we had finished for the day and wiped the rest of the journey to Ayr.  It was soon reinstalled and we were ready to go again.

The four of them rode off to Ayr.  Gra and I found a bike shop in Troon.  They were so helpful but didn’t think they would have to bearing that we needed, but he would try.  He couldn’t mend it under the guarantee but we didn’t mind, we will have to claim the money back later.  We left it with him and went off for an hour.   He was a very nice man, a very nice man indeed and he fixed it and it only cost £26.00.

We got in touch with the others, who had also gone through Troon.  They seemed OK so we went straight to the hotel in Ayr.  They arrived about half an hour after us. 

It seems now that Caroline had not had a very nice day.  She still didn’t want to give up on the day.  Apparently her electrics kept cutting out.  I don’t think she will be doing too much tonight.

As it was still quite early, we decided to go into town and have dinner.  I drove Caroline and the others walked.  We went into Weatherspoons, went to order our meals and they wanted to see Dani’s ID.  She was very cross, any way it was in the van so Dani and I went to get it.  Having walked all the way back to the van and was nearly back to Weatherspoons again, they now decided Caroline needed ID as well.  They wouldn’t even serve us food with no drinks.  With that we left and got take away Pizza, burger and Kebabs.  It wasn’t what we planned at all and Dani felt it was her fault.  None of us felt like that.  Now to bed.

Wednesday 18 June 2014

Blog so far from Mum

Thursday 12th June 2014

I took my van over to Caroline’s house with Allison to get all of Caroline, Dani’s, Andy and Graham B luggage and bikes in the van.  What would we have done without  our expert packer Allison.  We would have definitely left my bike behind.  We had to take Dani’s and Andy’s front wheels off and hang the bikes from the rails either side.  Caroline tandem trike went in next, then graham B’s, then my bike.  Everything else was fitted in around that.  I went home then and packed our bags.

Friday 13th July 2014

Graham arrived home from work at just after 12am.  We were already packed so Graham had a quick change clothes and we set off.  We stopped at Ferndown McDonalds and had something to eat.  We left there at 2am.  We drove then, stopping to change driver and for coffee, until we got to Carrbridge.  We booked into a B and B, had fish and chips on the village green under an umbrella in the rain, then went to bed.  

Saturday 14th June 2014

I was up at 6am.  Had shower and got dressed when Caroline rang to ask where we were. They were in Aviemore which was the next village, so came to us, used our loo and we all went and had breakfast.  Us in the B and B them in a café down the road. We met a lovely American couple who were on a cycling holiday too and were so impressed with what we were doing.
After breakfast we all headed off to Inverness.  They took the car back to the airport, then we all met for coffee.  Brought some things in Inverness. We headed off then for John O’Groats.  Again we stopped at various places along the way but the scenery was beautiful. 
Met up with Caroline and others and had tea in a café at John O’Groats.  All very excited and can’t wait to get on with it now. Booked into B and B, got the van unpacked and bikes sorted, then went to bed.

Sunday 15th June.

Had had breakfast by 8am this morning.  We rode from the B and B to point first thing to get our photos done.  Met a girl from an organisation from John O’Groats and Lands’ End.  She took some photos and said she would put them on her website and she will also let the same company at Lands’ End know we are coming.  
As we started Caroline stopped quickly and Danni rode into the back of her bike and nearly fell off.  Quite a start.
We left there at 9 O clock.  I was cycling with them to start with.  Graham was driving.  He stopped in laybys along the way.  I did 7.84 miles then Graham took over and I drove.  In Wick I stopped at Tesco’s and got money and brought lunch.  They all carried on and then I caught up outside Wick and we had lunch with a cup of tea.  After lunch Graham and I changed again so I was on the bike.  
I can’t remember when this happened but Caroline stopped quickly again and we didn’t hear her say she was stopping.  Andy nearly went into the back of Caroline, I nearly went into the back of Andy and Danni fell off.  It just reminded us all to be careful.  From then on we decided to break up a bit and not sit on each other’s tails.  Also it wasn’t fair for Caroline for us to all sit behind her.  From then on we went in twos (except dad who wanted to be the winner).
I had gone on in the van and found the B and B at Dunbeath.  I was checking in when the B and B owner said I have just seen a cyclist go by is that one of yours.  I said no, no.  They would know to stop.  When the others arrived we realised it was Graham.  He went down one of the biggest hills of the cycle ride and realised at the bottom and had to struggle back up.  We did laugh.  
We are going to the pub tonight just a walk away.
Even that turned out to be eventful.  First they said they couldn’t fit us in as it was father’s day. They said if we would like to wait in the bar they might be able to fit us in later.  We had nowhere else to go to eat so decided to stay.  After about half an hour playing cards (gas board fives of course) they took our order and decided to seat us at a table and brought dinner quite quickly.  Then just after that the people started to come in that had booked, they had a power cut and had to turn some people away.  We were really lucky and  it was lovely.  For the 1st days cycling we all thought it was going really well and were all very pleased with ourselves. We then went to bed.

Monday 16th June

We were up bright and early this morning at 7 O Clock for breakfast, as this was going to be a long day.  We had to go to Cromarty, which was over a very small ferry.  The last ferry went at 6.15pm.  The journey today was about 61 miles.
The first couple of hills were enormous.  Caroline started on her single trike and was doing really well.  Graham also started on our bike.  I went to get lunch and drinks and cereal bars in Helmsdale.  Dani fell off her bike again and her chain came off on one of the big hills. She was ok and didn’t hurt herself. Caroline was thrilled as she reached me before the others.  I made a cup of tea in a lay by and had our cereal bars.  I took over from Graham at this point on our bike.
By now Caroline’s battery was going down fast with all the hills.  We stopped in Brora and had a cup of tea in a café just so she could charge her battery a bit.  Graham changed to bike again and off they went.  We were under pressure now with the ferry.  We still had quite a few miles to go, I think 33 miles, and it was about 2 O clock.
It was getting less hilly now but the scenery was beautiful.  By now Caroline’s battery was nearly out Knowing they still had quite a long way to go, Caroline and Andy decided on the tandem as they would be able to go faster. 
Just before Tain our battery ran out on our bike so we got our bike in the back of the van and caught up with the others on B9176, which was the little road that goes to the ferry.  By now we had half an hour to go for the last ferry and still 7 miles to go.  We went to the ferry in the van.  The ferry was in when we arrived at 5.45pm.  It set off and we were willing them to get there.  We could see Cromarty so close but so far if we had missed  the ferry.  We watched the ferry go across the water.  As it was half way back Caroline, Andy and Dani appeared with lots of shouting and arms in the air.  I don’t think any of us believed they did that, with so little time to spare.  It would not have been a complete disaster as we would have just gone round but another 35 miles would have been so demoralising.  The ferry ride was great, only took 10 mins.
We are staying to night at the Cromarty Arms.  It is very old fashioned but comfortable, clean beds and bathroom and good food. What more could we want.  And good food.
We all went to bed early.

Tuesday 17th June

Today we only have about 30 miles to Inverness.  We were able to have a lay in this morning and they have a treat planed. We are going for a trip around the harbour in a boat  to see the dolphins.  It’s now  8.30 and Graham and I are waiting for breakfast at 9 O clock.
We have had breakfast, which was good.  We have even been on the boat trip.  That was great.  The North Sea was so calm.  We saw a whole school of dolphins and a lot of sea birds.  We had a drink at a local hotel, then set off.
We had hardly left the town when I fell off my bike.  Luckily onto a soft patch of grass.  That made everyone else’s day and it was about my turn.  We only had 23 miles today.  Caroline and Andy were on the tandem.  There were some quite big hills so it was very hard for them.  
At one stage we were waving to a lady her garden when a fertilizer tractor went by in a field.  We all felt as if we were being pelted with little stones.
Graham and I swapped half way which meant I would be driving into Inverness.  I’m not good with towns and my Sat Nav was going mad as there were road works. It was not a good time for me and I had a little panic attack but after I had been to the loo and had a Costa I felt fine.  Graham did have to come and collect me otherwise I would never found them.  We decided Graham would be in the van in towns.  Having said that, I might be worse on a bike.  Our B and B tonight in Inverness is lovely and the lady is really nice and helpful.  We have had our tea in her garden.  Tonight was Chinese and it was a lovely evening. 

Monday 16 June 2014

10th June 2014

Well this is it, this will be the last blog I am going to write before we start our cycle. We have 3 days before we leave, and 5 days before we start. I am so excited about doing this cycle, but I’m also really scared about doing it to.

I had lunch with my two friends today, and as we said goodbye, they both said see you at the finish line, and I got really emotional. All this talk and planning, has all come down to this. What started as a joke, has now become a reality and I am so excited. This challenge is the biggest thing I have ever done in my life.

A couple of months ago, I really freaked out about this challenge. I am a 4f disabled woman, who only has one leg. Who has decided to cycle the length of her country, which is over 1000 miles. What if I can’t do this? I’ve been in the papers and on the radio, and I kept thinking about all the people I would let down if I can’t do this.

It took me a few days to start thinking about things in a different way. I can’t think about the total miles I am going to do. I am just going to take each mile as it comes, each day as it comes, and with everything else I have done with my life, I am going to give it every I’ve got. I’m not a quitter. I am really looking forward to experiencing everything this challenge has to offer.

I know there is going to be some hard times, but that is why I am doing this with my best friend. We have known each other for many many years, and I really don’t think anyone knows me as well as Dani does. We know when we need support from each other, but we also know when to leave each other alone. There is a reason I asked her to come up Ben Nevis with me, not only did she support me, she also gave all of us who was there at the time, some very very funny memories. Which almost makes me forget all the pain I went through getting to the top.

In some ways it’s because I struggled so much up Ben Nevis, and got to the top, that is why I am so excited to start this cycle. I know I can do this, I know I have so much support out there, and I also know I won’t let anyone down as long as I do my best. Because that is all I can do.

Ben Nevis was a big turning point in my life. I have always said you can do anything you set your mind to, you just need to believe in yourself. But it is one thing saying it and another thing doing it. I think Ben Nevis made me realize it’s true, you really can do anything. And I am so excited to see what I can do this time.

I know I can do this, because I believe in myself, I have so many people out there who also believe in me. No matter what I can’t fail.

I just want to say thank you to everyone who is supporting us in one way or another. Whether it’s cycling with us, driving the support vehicle, meeting us at the end, or just believing in us. It really does mean a lot to us.

Anyone who would like to come to the end and see us finish is welcome. It would be really nice to see all the people who believe in us, to be greeting us at the end. We want to be able to enjoy our last moments with everyone. If you do want to join us, you can text us and we will let you know our plain. My mum will be doing a blog for us and we will be trying to do one as much as poss, please follow our journey.

Thanks again.