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The Start
Days 1 & 2
Days 3-11
Day 12...
Sunday, 8 June 2008
Saturday, 7 June 2008
Friday, 6 June 2008
LEJOG Day 19 (Martin)
We awoke to find ourselves in the embrace of a thick fog in Dunbeath, some 36 miles away from John O'Groats. Before setting off, in a brief and moving ceremony we made a little presentation to Geraldine to thank her for her Herculean efforts on all of our behalves over the last 19 days. At 8.30 we climbed aboard our steeds for the last time, Stewart somewhat handicapped by having to pedal the child's mountain bike which he was lent by the friend of our landlady Mary (as a substitute for his incapacitated mount of the last 18 days - see yesterday). A brief coffee stop in Wick, and then at 1215 the moment of euphoria arrived...
4 abreast we crossed the finishing line, to be greeted by a reception party including Elise and Judy (wives of Martin and Richard), the Smiths friends Freydis Campbell and her brother Hallam Murray (who lent a little perspective to our achievement - some years ago he cycled solo from San Francisco to Tierra del Fiego!) and copious quantities of champagne. 931 miles and 19 days after leaving Land's End, we had done it!!
This has been a wonderful experience for all 5 of us. Between us all we have raised well over £50k, the great bulk for Home Farm Trust. We have experienced our country in a way that few have the privilege of doing; we have met the most extraordinary array of wonderfully welcoming people; and we have consolidated bonds of friendship going back over 45 years, enhanced by the inimitable and priceless presence of the great Geraldine. Are we glad we've done it? Without question. Would we do it again? No way! Would we recommend others to do it? If your heart is in it, go for it!
Thank you all for your interest and support: it has been hugely appreciated by all of us.
Martin Peter Richard Stewart and Geraldine. 4 guys on bikes - over and out.
We awoke to find ourselves in the embrace of a thick fog in Dunbeath, some 36 miles away from John O'Groats. Before setting off, in a brief and moving ceremony we made a little presentation to Geraldine to thank her for her Herculean efforts on all of our behalves over the last 19 days. At 8.30 we climbed aboard our steeds for the last time, Stewart somewhat handicapped by having to pedal the child's mountain bike which he was lent by the friend of our landlady Mary (as a substitute for his incapacitated mount of the last 18 days - see yesterday). A brief coffee stop in Wick, and then at 1215 the moment of euphoria arrived...
4 abreast we crossed the finishing line, to be greeted by a reception party including Elise and Judy (wives of Martin and Richard), the Smiths friends Freydis Campbell and her brother Hallam Murray (who lent a little perspective to our achievement - some years ago he cycled solo from San Francisco to Tierra del Fiego!) and copious quantities of champagne. 931 miles and 19 days after leaving Land's End, we had done it!!
This has been a wonderful experience for all 5 of us. Between us all we have raised well over £50k, the great bulk for Home Farm Trust. We have experienced our country in a way that few have the privilege of doing; we have met the most extraordinary array of wonderfully welcoming people; and we have consolidated bonds of friendship going back over 45 years, enhanced by the inimitable and priceless presence of the great Geraldine. Are we glad we've done it? Without question. Would we do it again? No way! Would we recommend others to do it? If your heart is in it, go for it!
Thank you all for your interest and support: it has been hugely appreciated by all of us.
Martin Peter Richard Stewart and Geraldine. 4 guys on bikes - over and out.
LEJOG day 18 (Peter)
The team has discovered, albeit late in the trip, what it takes to get Martin “to the church on time”. Put him in a miserable hotel that he can’t wait to get out of! He will tell the story of the Sutherland Arms better himself (when his computer is working some more), but cobwebs in the bedroom, a shady sausage at breakfast and a ghastly old bat proprietor are included in this harrowing tale. Suffice it to say that he was on the first tee at Golspie sharp at 0830 for another round in grand weather. It was as near perfection as one can get.
Unfortunately there was more work to do in the afternoon, perhaps the most serious work of the LEJOG (Melanie, did you ever ride this part?). Everything went swimmingly to Helmsdale, but then the scene changed. A two mile, and at times brutal, hill out of Helmsdale culminated a few miles later in the Berridale Braes. We had been warned, but Martin was dismissive, remembering of course that Braes were “bonny”. Well not these two vertiginous slopes down and then up. We made it on foot……
Leaving Helmsdale, Stewart’s gear simply sheared, and his bike died. Luckily a convenient garage in Dunbeath where we put up for the night had a mountain bike to lend, and Stewart went back to the “crunch” point to tackle the remainder of the Helmsdale Hill and the Braes, finally arriving at Dunbeath at 2030, in time to be whisked to the Portland Arms for a “last supper”.
The haar was closing in as we left the pub……..
The team has discovered, albeit late in the trip, what it takes to get Martin “to the church on time”. Put him in a miserable hotel that he can’t wait to get out of! He will tell the story of the Sutherland Arms better himself (when his computer is working some more), but cobwebs in the bedroom, a shady sausage at breakfast and a ghastly old bat proprietor are included in this harrowing tale. Suffice it to say that he was on the first tee at Golspie sharp at 0830 for another round in grand weather. It was as near perfection as one can get.
Unfortunately there was more work to do in the afternoon, perhaps the most serious work of the LEJOG (Melanie, did you ever ride this part?). Everything went swimmingly to Helmsdale, but then the scene changed. A two mile, and at times brutal, hill out of Helmsdale culminated a few miles later in the Berridale Braes. We had been warned, but Martin was dismissive, remembering of course that Braes were “bonny”. Well not these two vertiginous slopes down and then up. We made it on foot……
Leaving Helmsdale, Stewart’s gear simply sheared, and his bike died. Luckily a convenient garage in Dunbeath where we put up for the night had a mountain bike to lend, and Stewart went back to the “crunch” point to tackle the remainder of the Helmsdale Hill and the Braes, finally arriving at Dunbeath at 2030, in time to be whisked to the Portland Arms for a “last supper”.
The haar was closing in as we left the pub……..
Thursday, 5 June 2008
LEJOG day 17 (Peter)
“Flaming June”, Highlands style (a wee bit cooler than the SE); the roadside bursting with bright yellow gorse; kaleidoscopic views of hills, firths and sea, as in picture books. We were gobsmacked, even our Scottish team member.
We crossed three major firths today; Moray, Cromarty and Dornoch, the first of these across the breezy bridge from Inverness; lovely, but probably not a crossing to relish in a high wind. Then through the rolling coutryside of the Black Isle (escaping the A9), to Cromarty, memorable from the shipping forecasts and as a major harbour during two world wars.
Across the Firth of Cromarty on a wee ferry (two cars max, plus assorted passengers) to the landing point which is called simply “Nigg Ferry”. After an alfresco lunch in Tain, we reached Golspie in time for a 6pm tee off at this demanding, but entertaining seaside links course; the golf not quite matching the surroundings.
A 9pm dash to the Sutherland inn for supper before the kitchen closed. And so to bed!
“Flaming June”, Highlands style (a wee bit cooler than the SE); the roadside bursting with bright yellow gorse; kaleidoscopic views of hills, firths and sea, as in picture books. We were gobsmacked, even our Scottish team member.
We crossed three major firths today; Moray, Cromarty and Dornoch, the first of these across the breezy bridge from Inverness; lovely, but probably not a crossing to relish in a high wind. Then through the rolling coutryside of the Black Isle (escaping the A9), to Cromarty, memorable from the shipping forecasts and as a major harbour during two world wars.
Across the Firth of Cromarty on a wee ferry (two cars max, plus assorted passengers) to the landing point which is called simply “Nigg Ferry”. After an alfresco lunch in Tain, we reached Golspie in time for a 6pm tee off at this demanding, but entertaining seaside links course; the golf not quite matching the surroundings.
A 9pm dash to the Sutherland inn for supper before the kitchen closed. And so to bed!
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
Tuesday, 3 June 2008
LEJOG day 16 (Peter)
“Thunderstorms and heavy rain” said the Met Office last night. We woke in trepidation to see just a few grey clouds and a very little drizzle, which quickly faded and gave way later to a balmy day.
Martin and Peter shared their B/B with a German couple. His claim to fame, this morning at least, was that he’s the bass drummer in a bagpipe band near Heidelberg! Hence an annual visit to Scotland. This band is apparently far from unique to Germany. Such goings on might almost induce belief in the EU.
Had one of our easiest cycling days. Quiet, flat or downhill roads and a little wind behind. We stopped for coffee at the Carr Bridge hotel, and to remember David Band. David was a frequent skier in the Cairn Gorms way back when, and used to do damage in the bar of the hotel in the evenings. Martin remembers a particular New Year’s Eve when things got very out of hand.
Our tourmeister, Stewart, had fixed on Moy, about 12 mls from Inverness, as a good stopping place for a late lunch. Unfortunately the village contained but 3 cottages and a post box......
We dined out on a warm sunlit evening on the banks of the Ness river, during which Peter's cellphone called with an automated msg from the Environment Agency of a potential flood risk in Oxford. What is going on with our weather?
Onto the Black Isle tomorrow and thence, via a short ferry ride from Cromarty, back to the A9, the main drag North.
“Thunderstorms and heavy rain” said the Met Office last night. We woke in trepidation to see just a few grey clouds and a very little drizzle, which quickly faded and gave way later to a balmy day.
Martin and Peter shared their B/B with a German couple. His claim to fame, this morning at least, was that he’s the bass drummer in a bagpipe band near Heidelberg! Hence an annual visit to Scotland. This band is apparently far from unique to Germany. Such goings on might almost induce belief in the EU.
Had one of our easiest cycling days. Quiet, flat or downhill roads and a little wind behind. We stopped for coffee at the Carr Bridge hotel, and to remember David Band. David was a frequent skier in the Cairn Gorms way back when, and used to do damage in the bar of the hotel in the evenings. Martin remembers a particular New Year’s Eve when things got very out of hand.
Our tourmeister, Stewart, had fixed on Moy, about 12 mls from Inverness, as a good stopping place for a late lunch. Unfortunately the village contained but 3 cottages and a post box......
We dined out on a warm sunlit evening on the banks of the Ness river, during which Peter's cellphone called with an automated msg from the Environment Agency of a potential flood risk in Oxford. What is going on with our weather?
Onto the Black Isle tomorrow and thence, via a short ferry ride from Cromarty, back to the A9, the main drag North.
Monday, 2 June 2008
LEJOG Day 15 (Monday) (Martin)
Gentle start from Dunkeld in lightish drizzle, past Pitlochry to Blair Atholl. Peter and Martin sampled Blair Castle which they much enjoyed. Peter noted that the Castle encompassed much that was good and bad about Scottish history. Martin enjoyed the priceless grandfather clock in the Great Drawing Room, made by Mr Stewart of Dunkeld in 1859. The rubric said "This clock plays well known songs every hour but is a little temperamental, as a result of which the songs are occasionally unrecognisable."
On to the famous Bruar retail and food centre which elicited from Richard the comment "This is really like 'wow!'". Money changed hands.
Noses were then lowered to front mudguards as we climbed to the top of the Drumochter Pass, then cruised down the fastest run of our entire trip into the Spey Valley and Newtonmore. "Cresta on wheels", Smith was heard to mutter. 762 miles done, approx 150 to go. The lads are beginning to believe we might actually make it.
Gentle start from Dunkeld in lightish drizzle, past Pitlochry to Blair Atholl. Peter and Martin sampled Blair Castle which they much enjoyed. Peter noted that the Castle encompassed much that was good and bad about Scottish history. Martin enjoyed the priceless grandfather clock in the Great Drawing Room, made by Mr Stewart of Dunkeld in 1859. The rubric said "This clock plays well known songs every hour but is a little temperamental, as a result of which the songs are occasionally unrecognisable."
On to the famous Bruar retail and food centre which elicited from Richard the comment "This is really like 'wow!'". Money changed hands.
Noses were then lowered to front mudguards as we climbed to the top of the Drumochter Pass, then cruised down the fastest run of our entire trip into the Spey Valley and Newtonmore. "Cresta on wheels", Smith was heard to mutter. 762 miles done, approx 150 to go. The lads are beginning to believe we might actually make it.
LEJOG Day 14 - Sunday (Martin)
We awoke to find ourselves basking in Mediterranean conditions in Bridge of Allen. This being our morning off, so we set off after breakfast to visit Stirling Castle (without Stewart who was staying with his friend Rory Williams - see below). It is a wonderful monument to the past and present glories of Scotland, beautifully presented and full of historical interest. We also visited the museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in the Castle, full of mementos of their extraordinary feats of arms over the centuries. Memorable.
Then to Dunblane, a very attractive town just 6 miles or so outside Stirling. We lingered briefly in the Cathedral where we stood before the simple and moving monument to the victims of the Dunblane massacre. We then went to visit Rory. After school with Stewart and Peter, and Oxford where he was a distinguished classical scholar, Rory went on to become a professional epidemiologist. But his main interest in life has been religion, and in particular the Orthodox Church of which he became a priest some 10 years ago. He and his wife Judy have converted a small cottage at the back of their house into the most northerly Orthodox Chapel in Britain, and it was there that we joined them for the closing moments of their Sunday morning service together with a small congregation including some locals, 3 Polish and one Eritrean Coptic visitor. There followed a light lunch in the garden, which provided 4 Guys on Bikes the unexpected opportunity to discuss the finer points on the Great Schism of the 12th Century and the intricacies of Synodic governance. A unique interlude in our adventure.
Then on through the fine Scottish countryside to our overnight stay at the fine 18th Century Atholl Arms Hotel in Dunkeld.
We awoke to find ourselves basking in Mediterranean conditions in Bridge of Allen. This being our morning off, so we set off after breakfast to visit Stirling Castle (without Stewart who was staying with his friend Rory Williams - see below). It is a wonderful monument to the past and present glories of Scotland, beautifully presented and full of historical interest. We also visited the museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in the Castle, full of mementos of their extraordinary feats of arms over the centuries. Memorable.
Then to Dunblane, a very attractive town just 6 miles or so outside Stirling. We lingered briefly in the Cathedral where we stood before the simple and moving monument to the victims of the Dunblane massacre. We then went to visit Rory. After school with Stewart and Peter, and Oxford where he was a distinguished classical scholar, Rory went on to become a professional epidemiologist. But his main interest in life has been religion, and in particular the Orthodox Church of which he became a priest some 10 years ago. He and his wife Judy have converted a small cottage at the back of their house into the most northerly Orthodox Chapel in Britain, and it was there that we joined them for the closing moments of their Sunday morning service together with a small congregation including some locals, 3 Polish and one Eritrean Coptic visitor. There followed a light lunch in the garden, which provided 4 Guys on Bikes the unexpected opportunity to discuss the finer points on the Great Schism of the 12th Century and the intricacies of Synodic governance. A unique interlude in our adventure.
Then on through the fine Scottish countryside to our overnight stay at the fine 18th Century Atholl Arms Hotel in Dunkeld.
Sunday, 1 June 2008
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