THANKYOU FOR ALL YOUR THOUGHTS, PRAYERS, AND SUPPORT. WE COULD NOT HAVE MADE IT WITHOUT YOU AND OF COURSE HIM WHO GIVES US THE ABILITY AND STRANGTH TO DO ANYTHING. See Ephesians 3 v.20
Saturday 26th September
Caught 8am train from Wick and eventually arrive home at  1am on Sunday.

Friday 25th September - Day - Last one
Paul wakes during the night to hear the wind whistling around the house and it sounds constant. Fervent prayer and planning for the possibility of not being able to reach our goal because the wind might make it too dangerous - it sounded that bad. We've got this far so God wouldn't stop us now would He?
We've weakened and booked a taxi and trailer to take us from JOG to Wick at 6pm so once we reach there we won't have to do the extra 17 miles to get to our B & B. We leave at 7.15 just to make sure we have plenty of time. When we get outside, the weather doesn't seem dangerously windy and it's dry so we set off. Though the wind is strong at times, it is northerly, it is mainly cutting across us and the road meanders along the coast so there is not constant battling with the wind. Ian pushes on ahead to get a spoke replasced at the nearest bike shop in 50 miles (Thurso) We pass the 1000 mile barrier at Bettyhill, lunch at Thurso where we catch up with Ian and the locals look at us as if we have come from another planet. Then the final 20 miles to JOG  (64  miles) and the triumphant entry with the crowds cheering, flags being waved, the media swarming - well we saw some other Lejoggers and they gave us a wave and a hearty 'Well done' to which we reciprocated in enthusiatic fashion.
We celebrated with a 'nice cup of tea, Grommet'  and a bun before Ian went off to do his final drawing for the trip. Han and Paul loitered around the few, open, dry and warm souvenir shops engaging in  conversation with anybody who seem remotely interested in what we had achieved, and thus hasten our departure from the place we had strived so hard to reach.
Taxi comes just in the nick of time before we are thrown out of the last open souvenir shop (that would be a first) and we ride in luxury to Wick - good decision!!
Total 1045 miles


Thursday 24th September - Day.....'Whatever!!!!!'

Had a good night at this amazing castle Youth Hostel. I wouldn't call it a  good start to the day though becaus the trio (having totally lost all common sense) decided to make their way back to Ardgay from our castle retreat to get around the loch rather than negotiate some steps from a cycle path which would have taken them straight across an old railway bridge to the other side - not a good choice as it added 9 miles to our journey - but hey what's another 9. The moral of the story is ask someone who might know as it is pretty frustrating cycling away from the castle and then cycling back towards it again - lovely though it might be! Rain most of the way, sometimes heavy with a nice headwind (north easterly) to make sure we didn't cover the journey too quickly. Averaging about 8mph. Very barren terrain but when the rain subsides we do get some lovely views. After Lairg there is very little habitation. We were told about an Inn but our map isn't detailed enough to enable us to establish where it is so at about 1130 gave up the ghost and picnicked in a sheltered spot in somewoods. Thankfully the rain had abated temporarily but t would have been nice to sit in the warm somewhere. Back on our bikes and around the next corner - yes you guessed it, there appeared the Crask Inn!! (I think the 'law of turf' applies!!!!)
Continue our merry way in windy showers and it's starting to get distinctly colder. Eventually after 5hours 40 we arrive at Tongue and as we drop down into the village we encounter our first touch of hail/rain/sleet which makes the face feel numb. Paul (obviously delirious at this point) finds this particularly amusing and has a fit of laughing and still can't explain why but he was not alone as another group of Lejoggers (who were following us about 2 hours behind) experience exactly the same mad moment.
A nice homely YH at Tongue although a bit exposed and you can hear the wind howling around the house. Paul made a big mistake of seeing the weather forecast which predicts blustery showers with north easterly wind - guess what direction we will be heading?

Day 14 Loch Ness - Carbisdale Castle

So. 2 stints to go. Today was wet. 62 miles.  We left in the pouring rain and it sort of cleared later on around midday, just in time for some amazing views from the top of the moors around Sutherland -truly spectacular with purple heather and orange grasses as far as the eye could see with gentle mountains all around.  Only thing was we had to climb the worst hill encountered so far to get up there (the main roads follow around the lochs and inlets, this road went over the top!). The road was a 16% ascension for just under a mile! Definitely worth it.  Plenty of scotch mist but we were fortunate to have the breaks in the weather just at the right time. The view of Carbisdale Castle where we are staying coming off the moor and with the vale of Sutherland before us was spectacular.  The castle itself is a very grand affair - a fine old 18th C stone manor house of the Earl of Sutherland, filled with marble statues (Han says "Everywhere I look there is a bum or a breast") and old masters (not many original although a few Coleridge) - it really is a grand affair here on an enormous scale - well worth a visit and very economical to feel like a Lord and Lady of the estate! The food was er interesting with all three of us going for the beef madras and then laughing as we expereinced more sweat than all the worst hill cycling put together. We then watched another family have the same meal  and it all descended into great fits of laughter and Ian sweated from the forehead, the scalp and the upper lip to Hans great enjoyment.

Tomorrow - TONGUE...

Tuesday 21st September - for those of you who are confused (or don't really care) what Day number we are on
Day 16 - Glencoe to Loch Ness
Hannah and Paul were a bit apprehensive about this day as they had experienced shorter distances over the last couple of days. It turned out to be another good day both in terms of weather and terrain. Paul was listening to a CD of movie theme tunes, Big Country, Lord of the Rings etc as they cycled through wonderful scenery but the aptness of the picture disappeared with Laurence of Arabia but it can be justified as we didn't have rain.
Ian was feeling the effects of his walk up Ben Nevis today and looked a little like John Wayne without the horse. He got fed up with the plodders in the end and sped ahead. We covered the 60 miles in about 7.45 hours including breaks. Ian arrived an hour earlier and settled down beside Loch Ness to do a water colour. En route near Spean Bridge we came across a Marine Memorial with a statue of 3 marines with a backdrop of Ben Nevis - all very pretty apt for Hannah's sponsorship (Help for Heroes). More pics!
The YH is right besdie the Loch and our room has a great view across it. Most of the YH's in Scotland are a very good standard, are well equipped and set in some wonderful locations.
Things are looking a bit tougher tomorrow with a 67 miler and the terrain becoming more challenging and there's only 3 days to go. Where has the time gone?
Thoughts are now  turning to JOG but still a good way to go.

Day   Monday 20th September
Crainlarich to Glencoe
Hannah and Paul made the right choice in breaking the Stirling to Glencoe journey as the weather improved considerably after a short while and we got lots of sunshine and for the first time in Scotland we began to see and enjoy the scenery. We only had 37 miles to do which we covered in about 4.5 hours because we kept stopping to take pics. When we arrived at Glencoe we were able to drop off our panniers but could not get in to the Youth Hostel until after 3.30 so we had lunch in a local cafe and then guess what....we went for a bike ride to the end of Loch Leven and took lots more pics. Paul did a little bit of bird watching after. A truly spectacular day with reasonably easy terrain, decent weather and no wind.
As Ian had arrived in Glencoe the day before he had a day off and of course he relaxed by.............. no, not going for a bike ride - a walk..........up Ben Nevis! He couldn't see very much above 600 ft but he just had to do it.
We arrived back at the YH to find that there had been an invasion of German students on some sort of field trip. They had taken over the place apart from us and another lady. We didn't expect to get much sleep that night but it wasn't too bad after all. Ian returned from Ben Nevis suitably shattered after 3hours 40mins.

Day 12- Stirling to Crianlarich

A good nights kip at Stirling (amongst all the university students who couldnt find accomodation).We had the usual stodge breakie again (hannah's graduated to numberelli spaghetti on toast) and set off at around 8am after pa did his usual faff on the bikes and put on our wet weather gear for the first time because it looked as though it was going to be rainy all day and...........it was! The rain managed to seep into all nook and crannies (including through two layers of hans  super duper dry north face jackets!) Pa  looked like a deep sea diver but stayed relatively dry.

Han and Pa can testify that government cut backs have started to take effect already in Scotland beacuse the road surfaces are naff and not good for cycling- it takes about 5 mph off your speed. Having said that the road was relatively flat and thankfully no head wind and very few hills! We had been really looking forward to this part of the leg (in terms of scenery) however the base of the mountains was pretty much all we saw on the long windy road into Crianlarich-much of the peaks were clouded with the mist and rain.

Whilst on their travels Pa and Han had a very worring moment when 3 emergency vehicles wizzed pass (on the only road into Glencoe) after not seeing or hearing from Ian all morning (he had 'bravely' decided to hardcore it to Glencoe rather than stop with the plodders at Crianlarich half way). Much to our relief it was only a crash between two cars which must have just happend (although we dont suppose the drivers of the two cars were too happy!).

Arrived at Crianlarich at 1:30 and looking forward to a shower but as the reception was closed until 3:30 the only shower we could get was outside!!-deep joy. So a very bedraggled pair went to the local railway station cafe for some hot grub and warm up. Weather temp has certainly cooled as we have made our way up north and hans regretting only packing one set of long cycling trousers (school boy error!).

Mobile phone reception has been non-existent since we arrived so we havent been able to contact Ian so if you're reading this Ian we hope you're okay and we'll see you tomorrow at Glencoe!..or maybe not!! Mobile phone reception is likely to be poor over the next few days as we weave our way through the mountains so apologies if it seems like we have disappeard!!.

Bikes and bodies are all standing up well (if a little tired) and looking forward to actually seeing above tree level through the highlands!

Day 11- New Lanark to Stirling

After the usual stodge breakie (which han has now replaced with semi stodge BAKED BEANS) we set off for Stirling. Glorious morning with a tail wind..much appreciated! Ian went a different way (again) following the satnav but found some lovely wee Scottish towns but also had the lions share of Scotch mist. Amazing scenery along the whole route and we were rewarded upon arrival with the best views so far from the top of Stirling mount and the old village, castle and prison, also where the youth hostel is situated.  Currently there are blue skies all around and from where we are typing this right now we can see for miles towards the E and W highlands, simply awesome!

Due to the shorter nicer mileage (approx 40 miles) we arrived at 1pm! and then had the rest of the day to chill, explore, sleep (Pa and Han both fell asleep reading their books)  meet new people in the hostel, wander around like a zombie (Ian who probably should have dittoed the sleep - read thing) looking for an art shop that didnt exist. Ian did some sketching of the view North towards Glencoe and the prison which is actually a very romantic circular castle overlooking the W and we are now about to have a cheapo tesco meal and a bottle of red wine. All of us are very tired after yesterday and Han and Pa have decided to split the 80 miler from here to Glencoe in two, omitting the day off but having an easier finishing run up to John O Groat's. Yes the end is in sight.  Ian is still thinking about climbing Ben Nevis on the original day off....  He thinks it is silly not to... hmmm...

Day 7& 8

Chester to Longton (Preston)

Ian went via liverpool and was delighted with taking the ferry across the mersey and visiting the Tate Liverpool while it chucked it down with rain. Ian Cheated here and only done 45miles whereas hardcore Han and persevering Pa done 60miles (in the rain) and had to change front tyres and other obstacles encountered but overcome. Had an Indian takeaway very tasty and we actually watched the chaps cook it . Pa and Ian had an interesting experience when Hannah discovered a hairdrier and squealed with joy and jumped up and down giggling. We looked at each other with an astonished gaze and put it down to experience. Ian painted ducks for Lynn near where she grew up.

Preston - Windermere

The breakfast was very nice.  55 mile stretch leg. Preston was busy with school children everywhere and lolipop ladies (Dad said it was the invasion of). Han and Dad encountered some dangerous roads following the satnav's directions. Ian went off and goofed out