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!