one week left.and going strong

sat camping above ludlow castle. a bit bhind schedule but noy worried.55miles today and looking a map we should catch up tomorrow.two days now without rain wow.kellie doing really well.my knee is playing up a little but julie managed to get me some tramadol to birkenhead so im sorted.should be down at chepstow tomorrow woth a bit o luck.

very tired tyre

leaving carlisle after breakfast it was a steady slog up to penrith, intermitant showers. stopping at a garden centre for tea and scone.penrith we found a nice rather pc cafe/bar.


from here we had a very long climb up to shap summit.the leyland clock replaced by a memorial stone, to the drivers and crew of transport days gone bye.on the decent kellie neaded the call of nature,while she was gone looking round the trike i noticed the rear tyre was down to cords id worn it out,steady decent into kendal and search for a food stop climbing a curb the rear tyre gave up and went flat.lucky i was carrying a spare. repairing the tube, swapped the tyre and then kellie announced another plate on her shoe had broke,in to the nearest pub for food and to repair her shoe.


the leyland clock from shap was refurbished and stood proud in the gardens of the cinema complex in kendal .resited there during 1973 and refurbished 1996.


after sorting our problems ,we set of but kellie soon threw in the towel . wanting to rest for the night(time of month excuses accepted)

day 8 arran

camping at side of the ferry port.we were up early for the first ferry 8.50.i rode on to the ferry turned round to see the door been lifted lucky the ship hand saw kellie daudling and lowered it again,sometime she want a kick up the arse.the ferry bloke said she was lucky they leave no end of cyclists that dont realise they dont waist time.
lovely tea room by the golf club the pavillion.from there it was up the valley what a bas**** of a climb when head winds and driving rain,but on top two cyclists came past and donated £5 each to the bucket(.its amaizing how we are getting donnations on route the bucket and recumbent seam to attract.scotland has donated £196 at carlisle kellie wanted to count it she does nt think the english will be as genorous)anyway a wet slog to brodrick ment we just caught the next ferry,we had tea on board but at the other end it was raining even harder,we found a self service b&b,only problem with that was there was only corn flakes etc for brekky.

welcome to windy england

after a real good day yesterday having done 80 mile we b&b at the farmers arms at clarence field,just outside annan,this morning after breakfast we returned to the room and watch some tv hopeing the wind may die down.but that didnt happen.so waterproofs on we set of in very windy conditions,not very good for kellie she was been blown left right and centre.not so bad for me on the recumbent i just got my arse wet with every puddle we went through.

a tea stop in annan and thenon to gretna and lunch.at this point what remained of my laminated flags were removed and eventualy just as we are about to leave scotland we got a st andrews flag so that was put on the flag pole,a phone call to matt he is making new set of flags and posting them to liverpool for us to collect.

from gretna we used the service road which runs parallel to the M6 we saw a lorry crawling up the hard shoulder with its roof half of flapping in the wind.this is were kellie was blown of the bike twice she wasnt happy,it was decided for safety reasons carisle was going to be far enough in the gales.arraving at the B&B the owners were on tree watch as branches and trees are coming down all around,there sirens racing all over.glad we have pulled up for the night

oban cycle path,day 6,and we are in front just

coming down the great glen yesterday way very unpleasant,very strong winds and driving rain.we arrived at fort William,found a cycle shop ,Kellie had snapped the plate inside her shoe for the second time,new plates acquired,bang opposite a pub was offering dinner for the price of time.we ordered at 5pm so we paid £5 bar gin.as we set of after feeding the heavens opened again.b&b just out side fort William.the lady in charge took our wet clothes and dried them for us.
this morning after a fine Scottish breakfast(it included haggis)the sun was out the wind not so strong but still there.we headed down the A82,Kellie was not impressed and was glad for a tea stop just after connan ferry,the owner of the tea shop informed us of the cycle path not quite finished but very welcome and a good portion of the trip to oban was on this very nice tarmac ed path,a late lunch at the sea life centre was very nice.from here it was back on roads for much of the way to oban.another drink on the quay side and we were of up the hill out of town,bribed Kellie(her backside was giving her trouble)with the offer of b&b again if we got in front of our schedule.so we are about 6 mile south of oban at BRAE SIDE GUEST HOUSE.
the owners kindly offered a discount as we are cycling for charity,very nice guest house who really try to make you welcome and succeed.
weather today mixed ,wind in our face again.49 miles covered.was supposed to be a short day but we had to catch yesterdays shortfall.both feeling good but fed up with the weather,very happy with the people we meet and donations to the bucket are now in excess of £150.soon be Kellie's turn to carry it when it gets too heavy.

Day 4

Sat in a wooden camping pod. Still on track Both me and Kellie feel the 50 mile a day dragging full camping equipment is fine. Both enjoying the hard work. Talked to Matt at work today thanks for running things in my absence but a dream is a dream and so few people get a chance like you have given me. Big cheer and to Julie for humoring my obsession. Will do proper blog when finished as having to use phone is hard work.

Raining again, but heading south.

Monday morning,just a brief note will do a full report when home,last night we chickened out.b&b a lovely little place www.altnaharra.net very welcoming,usually offering evening meals but in chaos when we arrived doing running maintenance due to the awful weather they had over the winter.so across to the hotel for a bar meal couple of Guinness the shower and bed.slept like a log.but woke up this morning legs as stiff as hell, breakfast's here so I'm off, next stop should be down near Dingwall. Bye for now.

Day 1

Well, speaking for Michael, he and Kellie set off into the most awful weather this morning, my heart really went out for them as perhaps I should have been there too. Brave was not in it as neither of them uttered one word of complaint for the strong wind and rain. It was a good job his Aunt cooked us a lovely scrambled egg n bacon breakfast, the Lord only knows what they had for tea.
I had my sandwiches on the move, pork-pie and half a cucumber all washed down with warm water.
Got back for 9.30 though. Now to see if I can upload a video diary from this morning for you. David.

sewing done

Arrived at Helmsdale after kellie drove most of the way, going through Edinburgh city centre.
fish supper at la mirage,very nice ,walk dinner of walking round Helmsdale back to arra's for a we dram. Sewn kellie's cycling trousers.we are now ready for tomorrow.

panic setting in

Thank you to all who have sent birthday wishes.

Time is running out and the closer the d day gets the more I'am finding I have to do

kellie's shirts will be ready for the photo shoot Wednesday but only just, fingers crossed. Then tosh comes along and is trying to organise some energy supplements and more advertising, bring it on. Why not?

Fishing trailer still needs a coat of paint.

Cycles still need packing.

To top it all I've put 5 lb back on and my shirts were tight enough as it was but you only celebrate your 50th once. May have to get sewing machine out later and add a little breathing space to at least one shirt and then off out for another meal later.

I can see Thursday night been a late finish, I could sleep all the way up to Helmesdale I suppose. I usually sleep as a passenger anyway.

icing sugar cyclist

trailer just about finished Saturday.rush round shops,butties and snacks made,loaded in van then,had a good birthday drink up at acorn inn burncross,friends and family turned up,not really a party as such,butties and snacks.and plenty drink,
gemma made a marvelous cake in the form of an icing sugar cyclist,brilliant,

this morning of fishing with hangover.managed 3rd thanks to a rather lucky 10lb carp,which took 30 minutes to land as i was fishing with very light tackle.
Nigel decided to take a dip in the pond he had lost part of his fishing pole in the water,and he still didn't retrieve it.

busy week ahead or at least busy 4 days as that's all i have left.

its coming ready or not

well down to the last week,
Saturday,finish building trailer to transport everything home from lands end.party to night
Sunday,fishing match at Aston ponds,(who planned that the day after my birthday party.
Monday,last day of my forty's,and the last day to make sure all will be OK at work,rest of week going to be in and out of office.
Tuesday,birthday big 50,half century,possible a meal in the evening,
Wednesday,star photo shoot with. www.worldofsuperheros.com
Thursday, last minute check of all equipment and pack bikes in to van,
Friday,start the long journey to the beginning.john o'groats here we come.Friday night meal booked in helmesdale.
Saturday,THE START.

beginning to panic.so much to do and running out of time.

thank you to dawn in the pub last night.she hasn't seen me since i fell of bike in tram tracks November 09.she promptly removed sponsor Form from wall and went round pub collecting.quarter hour later £75 better of.perhaps should have had her as official fundraiser.brilliant.

along with all those who have pledged money,donated money and generally helped i would like to thank
http://www.worldofsuperheros.com/
man metals recycling
tingle ashmore and associate accountants
prime engineering
Ian woodcock signwrighter
rhino sports
wrts ltd(got to mention our family business)
DAVID DEAN.Dave Dickinson(two lads running us up to john o'groats)

my wife JULIE who provided the rolls Royce of recumbents and has allowed me to go for my goal
Mathew,dad and derrick for holding the fort while I'm away

Kellie for coming with me for moral support( and to
prevent her getting a job yet)

and who ever turns up at the finish line

THANK YOU