Land's End to John O'Groats

THE JOURNEY SOUTH (21/07/07)

Everything was going well today - the weather looked fine, they set off on tiem and with everything needed. They made their train from Barrhead to Glasgow Central and boarded the Central to Penzance train. Then disaster struck. Aboard the train, Thomas and Andrena hear of horrendous flooding across vast areas of central and southern England. All trains heading south will terminate at Birmingham and until the lines are clear of water, it is an anxious wait. It's looking bad at the moment but sitting in first class, they still remain upbeat they will make it to Penzance before midnight. Fingers crossed people!

I have spoken to Thomas recently to get an update on their position. They successfully reached Birmingham but cannot go any further from there tonight. As people have no doubt heard on the news, the flooding has left most of the midlands and even the south west in chaos. They have checked into the Britannia Hotel, Birmingham for the night and will re-assess the situation tomorrow. The hotel have been very supportive to their cause by giving a massive discount on their room - from £165 for the night to £45 - an incredibly generous £120 saving. Their bikes are also safely stored for the night aswell. Their options for tomorrow, weather depending obviously are as follows:

They depart Birmingham and head for Penzance and begin their journey one day behind. This obviously depends greatly on their B&B bookings being flexible and able to accommodate this change.

They head for Bodmin and coninue their journey as planned, leaving the first day from Land's End to Bodmin. Technically, they wouldn't cycle the full length of Britain but they would be damn near it and clearly, this was circumstances completely outwith their control.

We await their decision and will post it tomorrow.

Weather

Cornwall (AM)

Conditions: Intermittent rain will clear around midday

Temp: 14C - 17C

Cloud: 80%

Wind: Moderate S

Bodmin (PM)

Conditions: Lunchtime showers will make way for clearer spells as the afternoon goes on

Temp: 17C - 18C

Cloud: 60%

Wind: Calm S

DAY TWO (23/07/07)

Thomas and Andrena departed the luxury of Bodmin about 10.30 and the next ten hours encountered the worst hlls they have ever experienced - walking or cycling! And that is a hell of a lot! The weather was fine until 16.00, when putting it simply, the heavens opened.

They arrived at the B&B in Crediton cold and wet, again around 20.30.

As I type, Thomas is telling me that they will soon be traveling into the worst flood-hit areas and they are watching the news and weather anxiously for precious updates. Last I heard, it was utter chaos!

Spirits are still notably high, despite the numerous obstacles. Chin up people - another twelve days to go!

DAY THREE (24/07/07)

Today, Thomas and Andrena awoke after a fantastic sleep at their luxury resort and travelled the 'shorter' fifty mile trek for day to Highbridge.

The weather was brilliant. The initial six miles after Crediton were extremely difficult as the hills appeared to just start where they had left off yesterday and the day before, however once they departed Devon and entered Somerset, the road changed. They were flatter and far easier going. The next fifteen miles took the same time as the first six.

The first stop of the day was Taunton, where they refreshed with coffee and sandwiches in nearby Cafe Nero. As they sat, a war veteran's brass band had a march past, which apparently was picturesque!

They then continued on their 'pleasant' journey, arriving at their B&B for the night at 17.30 - exactly as planned.

Thomas also took the opportunity to phone ahead to their B&B in flood-hit Gloucestershire to ensure all was well for arriving tomorrow, and it is. The owners of the accomodation sounded like they knew nothing about it!

Weather

Highbridge/Burnham-On-Sea (AM)

Conditions: Light rain will begin to clear around midday

Temp: 14C - 16C

Cloud: 100%

Wind: Moderate S

Gloucester (PM)

Conditions: Light rain in the early part will be followed by dry, sunny spells

Temp: 16C - 20C

Cloud: 90%

Wind: Moderate SW

DAY FOUR (25/07/07)

Last night was a lovely stay at Ilex House in Highbridge and the lady of the house kindly donated £20 to our cause so long as we put a picture of their house on our website. We will duly oblige.

Thomas and Andrena set off from Highbridge and were very apprehensive about what was to be expected in Gloucester. However with mixed weather throughout the day, they made good progress to Bristol. They then attempted to pick up the A38 at Bristol but took a wrong turning and had to detour to a place called Aust, which added approximately 9 miles onto their already long journey. It was plain sailing after that - that is until they reached the outskirts of Gloucester, where sailing on literal terms would have been far more appropriate!

When they reached Gloucester, they had to rely on 5 young boys on BMX bikes to guide them through they diversion that was in place, in scenes reminicing from Steven Spielberg's ET movie. They then cycled through one of the most flooded streets in the area and was advised that they were cycling through raw sewege! The depth of the sewege was apparently half the depth of the bike!

Shortly afterwards, they arrived at Linton Farm to be advised that on Friday, it was a raging torrent, however they are now safe and well (and surprisingly NOT stiff) and are treating thremselves to some good old fish and chips!

Weather

Gloucester (AM)

Conditions: Light rain all morning

Temp: 14C - 15C

Cloud: 100%

Wind: Moderate S

Telford (PM)

Conditions: Heavy rain will ease as the afternoon wears on

Temp: 14C - 15C

Cloud: 100%

Wind: Moderate S

DAY SIX (27/07/07)

It was 'ET' two days ago and 'The Day After Tomorrow', yesterday (if that makes any sense). Today apparently, it was Last of the Summer Wine. This is because they cycled the 67 miles from Telford to Warrington and the weather was ideal. They also cycled through some picturesque towns and small villages. They stopped off at Audlem for a lunch break and upon asking for directions to a cafe for lunch, they were directed to one, which catered almost exclusively for cyclists. In a scene reminiscent from Last of the Summer Wine, two cyclists with a combined age of approaching 150 years, were having a heated exchange over the drug taking on the Tour de France.

Our two cyclists, after an enjoyable cycle, reached their destination of Warrington about 18.15, tired and in need of dinner.

Upon arriving at their B&B for the night, they were advised that they had no note of Thomas's booking, but fortunately, they were able to accommodate them. I'm sure there would have been a few more heated exchanges if there weren't able!

DAY SEVEN (28/07/07)

Today was Warrington to Carnforth.

Another pleasant day on the weather front, although a little chilly and breezy. Thomas and Andrena cycled through continued conjestion through Preston, Wigan and Lancaster, where they had to fight their way through traffic and negotiate through numerous roundabouts. Every cyclist's nightmare!

On their travels, they met another elderly cyclist who cycled with them for a few miles and told us he cycled 35 miles a day, 3 days a week, which was not bad, considering he was in his seventies.

The two cyclists arrived at their B&B a little later than initially planned because it was an extra 3 or 4 miles off the planned route. The B&B is apparently very nice and a lovely dinner was awaiting both of them upon arrival, which was supplied free of charge.

Weather

Carnforth (AM)

Conditions: Glorious sunshine throughout the morning

Temp: 13C - 15C

Cloud: 15%

Wind: Moderate N

Rockcliffe/Gretna (PM)

Conditions: Showers and sunny periods

Temp: 13C - 15C

Cloud: 20%

Wind: Moderate W

DAY EIGHT (29/07/07)

After an impressive evening's hospitality, Thomas and Andrena were given £15 in donations from guests at the B&B before heading out on what would prove to be the longest day on the road to date.

They immediately began to climb as they entered the Lake District. The first stop off point was in Kendal, where they had coffee with Andrena's former boss Mike Barker and his family. Small world afterall. They donated £20 to our cause and it was back on the road again.

The hills got steeper and steeper as the day wore on and our cyclists climbed to a village called Fhap, which is 1400ft above sea level. The scenery was the nicest on the tour so far and the weather was so sunny that Andrena has sun-burn blisters on her ears. They cycled on through Penrith and laterally Carlisle. They then stopped for dinner about 20.40 at a hotel 4 miles from their B&B for the night, where customers donated £10 to our total after spotting the bikes outside with the DiabetesUK poster.

They finally arrived at their B&B a little later than planned - 22.10 to be exact and in sheer darkness, exhausted and in considerable pain after cycling close to the 80 mile mark, most of which was uphill however, this was quashed by the sense of achievement they got from their day's efforts.

It's home sweet home tomorrow, but just for the one night.

Weather

Rockcliffe/Gretna (AM)

Conditions: Sunshine, slightly cloudy

Temp: 12C - 15C

Cloud: 50%

Wind: Calm W

Lanarkshire/Rigside (PM)

Conditions: Sunny and cloudy

Temp: 14C - 15C

Cloud: 80%

Wind: Moderate W

DAY NINE (30/07/07)

The cyclists started their day with breakfast, which included haggis - obvious signs that the border was approaching. They also received word that the owner of the B&B would offer a 10% discount on the cost of the room after hearing about their efforts.

They began the day cycling along the 'mental' (quoted) A74 and turned off for Gretna (they did not get married, needless to say). Within half an hour of leaving the B&B, they had crossed the border, signposted 'Scotland'. Never were they so glad to see their homeland.

The blustery northerly wind made it seem like it was blowing them uphill, when they were in fact cycling downhill for large amounts of the day. The wind was unbearable. The first 40 miles involved a steady climb to over 2000ft to Beattock Summit. The strong winds at that height prevented them doing speeds exceeding 10pmh.

They then entered Abington at 19.00, where Tom was awaiting to convey them back home. Never has Thomas been so happy to see his son!! His other, far more attractive son had all the traditional homecomings in Thomas' hometown of Barrhead.

Weather

Lanark (AM)

Conditions: Sunshine, slightly cloudy

Temp: 14C - 17C

Cloud: 40%

Wind: Moderate SW

Blackford (PM)

Conditions: Sunny and cloudy

Temp: 16C - 17C

Cloud: 80%

Wind: Strong SW

DAY TEN (31/07/07)

After Tom dropped them off where they had left the previous evening, Abington, they set off on their journey which would eventually lead them to Andrena's home-village of Blackford.

The weather was good and spirits were high after their overnight stay in Barrhead. The normality worked wonders!

They had their first stop for the day in Lanark at The Courtyard Tearoom, where two customers upon seeing the bikes with the DiabetesUK logos, each gave a £5 donation to our cause. They left Lanark for their next stop in Cumbernauld. While on a break, a customer there also gave a fiver to our cause.

Thomas and Andrena then set off and passed Castlecary and after several unfortunate wrong turnings, a woman drew alongside them in her car and handed another fiver out her passenger window while on the move.

A whopping 75 miles later, they arrived in Blackford to be greeted in Andrena's house with bunting and balloons all round her door! They then had 15 minutes to get to Duchally, where Andrena's boss Graham kindly offered an evening meal for them both at the hotel.

DAY ELEVEN (01/08/07)

Film of the day was Brigadoon.

They set off on their 75 mile-for-the-day journey through picturesque Perthshire, from Blackford to Dalwhinnie. It was proved to be a largely uneventful day where they stayed, for most of the journey on the A9, as predicted in The Cycle Trek page.

Thomas found the day particularly hard but Andrena coped admirably with the ups and downs and helped to pull Thomas through.

The day took a lot longer than initially planned and for the last 5-or-so miles, they were travelling in very poor lighting through mountainous terrain. For a while they thought they were not going to get to their B&B for the night and night really began to set in, until, like Brigaddon, the village appeared round the next corner after Drumochter Pass, like magic, much to the delight of the cyclists!

A warm welcome awaited them, including a home-cooked evening meal at ten o'clock at night!

Weather

Dalwhinnie (AM)

Conditions: Heavy overcast will become showery

Temp: 10C - 12C

Cloud: 100%

Wind: Calm W

Tore (PM)

Conditions: Sunny and cloudy

Temp: 15C - 16C

Cloud: 50%

Wind: Calm W

DAY TWELVE (02/08/07)

After an almost unbearable previous days cycling, followed by a comfortable nights sleep, Thomas and Andrena set off from Dalwhinnie to Tore on the Black Isles. A journey of some 68 miles.

A far more enjoyable journey than yesterday which was largely downhill where speeds of 35mph were achieved. Their first stop was in Aviemore where they had a quick lunch. There, they met two other cyclists, one of whom was a diabetic dietician, in a London hospital. She kindly donated £5 to our cause. Two other diners in the tearoom each donated £4 while the owner, who was diabetic himself, donated £2.

With the money in the pocket, they continued their trek for the day which continued downhill, through Inverness and onto the high and scary Kessock Bridge, where Andrena refused point blank to cycle, opting to walk across while pushing her bike. Thomas attempted to cycle across but a quick inspection over the bridge to the drop below, soon changed his mind! Immediately before the bridge, they saw their first sign for JOHN O'GROATS!! "John O'Groats - 120 miles".

They stopped for their evening meal at the Kessock Hotel and arrived at their B&B for the night around 19.00.

Weather

Tore (AM)

Conditions: Early cloud and rain will make way for sunny spells

Temp: 12C - 16C

Cloud: 90%

Wind: Strong S

Helmsdale (PM)

Problem with www.metcheck.com . Weather unknown

DAY THIRTEEN (03/08/07)

Today began at Tore and would involve a 64-mile journey to Helmsdale.

It would seem that MetCheck's weather prediction was accurate - rain and overcast cleared around midday to make way for some sunshine. They left The Black Isle by crossing the Cromarty Bridge and then the Dornoch Bridge.

Good progress was made, especially considering they are now in the latter stages of the trek. They arrived at their B&B in Helmsdale, a lot earlier than initially planned, at 18.30.

"We are eagerly looking forward to tomorrow's leg and John O'Groats which is now a mere 54 miles away!"

Weather

Helmsdale (AM)

Conditions: Light rain will fade. Overcast

Temp: 13C - 15C

Cloud: 100%

Wind: Strong SW

John O'Groats (PM)

Conditions: Early afternoon sunshine will cloud over. Staying dry

Temp: 13C - 14C

Cloud: 80%

Wind: Very Strong S

FOURTEENTH AND FINAL DAY (04/08/07)

After doing a mile in the wrong direction before they realised, they started back on the original trek because some random ned had turned the sign around meanign that they were on an endless road, going round in circles and every time getting back to the same place.

They then headed off for what they thought was the start of the mighty Berrydale Braes. They climbed and climbed and then came across a sign that said "Berrydale Braes". Suspicious that it had been placed at the end of the braes, they soon realised that this was the start and the previous seven miles was only a warm-up. The hills was the worst of its kind and 38mph was reached. A patch on the 52mph that was recorded by a fellow cyclist. Was goes down must go up and the resulting upward climb was just too tough and for the first time on the whole trek (apart from the bridge on the previous day), they got off the bikes and gladly pushed.

The picture on the cycle trek page was accurate - a single straight road leading to John O'Groats and in great weather and picturesque scenery (from oil rigs in the North Sea to lighthouses, castles and a lot of cyclists), making it one of the most enjoyable days of the whole trip.

They reached John O'Groats with the help of the flawless performances of the bikes - no punctures, brake problems and chains coming off.

Thanks to Paul and Lyn Wilson for the hero's welcome - including champagne and balloons as well as kindly taking them out for a meal and drinks as well as being their chauffeurs, taking them back to Blackford. On route, they received a £10 donation at a coffee-stop and £15 at the John O'Groats carpark. They also got official potographs taken at the John O'Groats signpost and received one free, courtesy of the photographer who it turned out, was a diabetic.