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

Day 9

Windermere - Carlisle

Again some amazing lake district scenes and in Ian's opinion the best parts of the 'Lakes' to be found around Ullswater and north of here around Troutbeck (not many people go North of Ullswater). We had to climb up the Hardknot pass to Ullswater where Pa had a puncture and Hans chain came off (which she put back on herself with Pa's help- well done!) the downhill was so fast although Ian got frustrated behind a driver who insisted on staying at 30mph arrgh! Hannah has now probably worn through a second set of brakes (she ahem likes being careful coming down - terribly unladylike to race and take corners quickly!). Ian, Hans boyfriend is great being an all round navigator, motivator and companion, encouraging Hannah lots. Weather was lovely all the way but the headwind was gradually increasing as we came oout of the lakes and headed towards Carlisle.  We stayed in an impressive Georgian villa farmhouse with enormous rooms and high ceilings and a very homely farmhouse manager lady  who gave us a lift to the local pub for dinner.  We could see the remains of Hadrians Wall from our room although all that is left is  few humps and mounds and a line of Gorse shrub and Ian painted the panoramic.  The full english breakfast was the best yet (2 very tasty rashers of bacon) and it was nice to see Liverpool on the tv in the second half win convincingly for once.

Day 10

Ok so a quick update.  Losing track a little of days particularly as we have not eaten yet (8.13pm) and blood sugar levels extremely low! Well today (Carlisle - New Lanark) has been the most challenging leg so far. 86 miles in total. A steady headwind hindered us continuously and actually increased in intensity, slowing us down so much that we had to peddle to go down hill and averaged 7/8mph. This combined with the fact that the road was boring visually, straight for miles at a go (increasing the wind speed through a funneling effect) and right next to the M6 meant that the first half of the day (a mere 60miles) was extremely hard work both physically and mentally. After Abington the road became interesting and scenic to the maximum with some of the most stunning rolling hills, moors and mountain landscape yet. We finally arrived at 6.15pm to an old restored cotton mill scottish youth hostel which we are quite impressed with so far. It is great to be in Scotland and Ian has met lots of pleasant locals who helped him find his phone which was violently tossed from his bike somewhere down the "road" AKA as extreme mountain biking track that the satnav took us down! All the Scots are very friendly although sometimes we have to ask them to repeat the sentences slower...aye! and God bless Scotland!  Striling tomorrow on thankfully a shorter leg.

Friday 17th - Carlisle to New Lanark

Paul, Hannah and Ian have not been able to update the BLOG as easily as hoped - so here is a "'phone" update from Paul on Friday 17th at 6.45 am:

"We are alive and well near Carlisle and have an 85 mile stint ahead of us! Please pray for energy (and a new pair of legs - ed) and that we will not face too strong a headwind. Do please continue to pray for us.

Do please remember Paul, Hannah and Ian as they tackle this long stretch today - Paul did sound tired over the phone! (See map of route below.)

Day 4 to Day 6 Ashcott to Chester

Day 4 Ashcott to Monmouth.
Good night's sleep at Bro' Alan & Kay's - well fed and watered (eternally grateful A & K) and a leisurely start to Wells when we encountered the Mendip Hills!! Flat is definitely the new beautiful for us. Ian started off just before the 'plodders' using the most direct route so that he can get to Tintern Abbey to paint/draw. After the Mendips we make good progress, as it's reasonably flat, via Clifton Suspension Bridge (lovely views) and then the Severn Bridge (very windy) with great views down the river. Decide to get to Tintern for lunch and are encouraged by the sign which shows Monmouth only 17 miles from the bridge. Yippee a short day in prospect? Starts to drizzle as we arrive at Tintern but it's a lovely spot. The rain puts paid to Ian's artistic endeavours and he joins us for the rest of the journey to Monmouth. Rain is now steady but, hey, not that far to go! Arrive Monmouth, wet and ready for a nice bath/shower. Now where's the Monmouth Travellodge? Oh, it's just 8 miles down the A40 dual carriageway...in the wet.....with the lorries...and the spray.... and the wind - who's idea was this?:????? and exactly where is the T/Lodge? 8 miles later - it must be the 'lost Monmouth lodge of Travel' because there aren't any signs and the SatNav has thrown a wobbly. Let's phone the T/L - Receptionist is new and we reel off a couple of towns that are signposted and she has't a clue where we are or how to get there - we think whe was beamed there from another planet. We were also meeting H's boyfriend Iain there and he's trying to give us directions - it all gets v. confusing. We do make it eventually, a bedraggled trio and it's only 7pm - the night is young!. Quick shower and off to the pub for a big meal and prepare for the next day.

Day 5 Monmouth to All Stretton - 80 miles
Deep joy, we only have to add 8 miles before we get back on to our route again but at least we have an alternative to the A40...and it's a beautiful day. Ian goes steaming ahead but H and I, joined by Iain with his borrowed mountain bike take the more pretty route which takes us down the Wye valley on an excellent cycle route all the way to Ross on Wye. Tea break and about to restart only to find that m/bike has a flatty - no spares for that bike! God is good as 30 yards down the road is a bike shop who repair it. Don't want to push faith too far so feel it prudent to get a couple of spare tubes for the m/bike. Off again and it turns out to be another loooooooong day arriving about 6pm. Please can we have a short day! We are all sleeping in a room the size of a large cupboard on bunks - cozy but it's very well cared for and equipped. Church Stretton and All Stretton are lovely - worth a subsequent visit. A good meal at a local hostelry with a walk back tp the hostel under a clear, starry sky - wonderful!!!!!!!!! Pretty decent night's sleep for all surprsingly.

Day 6 All Stretton to Chester - 55 miles
7.30 start - weather is good - and we encounter very few hills - some light showers on the way but overall a good day. We have adapted the route under Iain's guidance to make it a little more direct. We arrive at Chester T/L at, would you believe it, 1.30 !!!!!!!!! but we can't book in till 3pm aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!!!! Blow it let's get in early and pay a little extra for the privilege. A good meal (yes at a local hostelry) and then a walk around part of the walls for me and Ian while H crashes out. I can even make church tonight, or so  thought, except that the ones that show 6.30 service are not open. So after a couple of fruitless attempts to locate a service, I finish my wall walk and crash out at the T/L. A good night's rest and, whoopee - a day off tomorrow. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Question - Do padded Lycra shorts have to be surgically removed with or without anaesthetic. Actually tis not too bad really.

Day 2 & Day 3

Day 2 (Wednesday 8th Sept)

Treyarnon Bay - Okehampton

Weather was great to begin with but we did get soaked in a couple of showers as we headed across Cornwall towards Bodmin moor. A shorter day's  cycle - 8.5hours but problems with chains slipping off. The youth hostel was self catering so we decided to visit a local pub in Okehampton and had a slap up meal -tasty and big portions. By the way, Hannah and Paul have decided that they dont like hills! Countryside is very beautiful around here. 65 miles

Day 3 (Thursday 9th Sept)

Okehampton - Ashcott (Somerset)

Hannah and Paul have decided that flat is the new beautiful (Hannah wants to know if they are going to build Canal towpaths all the way up to John 'O Groats). Long day - 10.5 hours to cover 77 miles. Ian continues to steam off early to catch the light before sunset and complete another watercolour although there are finishing touches required for all except the lands end one. (See pics). The drat nav continues to amuse and confuse us with random agricultural roads and severely steep mountains that could easily have been avoided. We are now using a combined discernment of: map (ye olde 1994 AA version pre motorway), written directions (vague), crapnav and a wobbly sense of direction strongly related to how we feel about what it looks likes up ahead on the road... (give us a wave when you see us go through Harold Wood on our way to Wales) Met Brother Alan at Sampford Peverell and he guided us along FLAT canal towpaths. Finally uploading the pics - enjoy! should have video action tomorrow...

PICTURES - excuse the randomness - we are all tired and cant use this layout easily

Lands End YHA (FIRST DAY!)

Ian Pic 1 Lands End with 3 rain clouds (prophetic?)

Ian @ Treyarnon BayHan @ TreyarnonPaul @ TreyarnonIan @ Lands EndHan @ Lands EndPaul @ Lands End

Ian Pic 2 Treyarnon Bay with interesting clouds

Travel & Day 1- Lands End to Treyarnon Bay..and we're off!!

TRAVEL

Travelled to Lands End-was very uneventful...that is apart from a traumatic encounter with an escalator at Liverpool Street Station and Paul getting trapped in the cycle carrage at Exeter (all will be explained later)
Paul and Han managed to pick up a fellow lejog'er at Penzance (Craig a.k.a. whipper snapper/nutter aiming to complete in 8 days 120/day with just a lonely planet guide and a tent) and Ian keeps meeting people who give him £2 whilst he is painting  (they feel sorry for him).  Paul has suggested that they gift aid this money...
Ian was the only one to get wet, facing the torrential downpour before the arrival of Paul and Han, but chanced upon a pair of CHI (Dads Charity-Christian Hope International) knitters from Basildon and St Ives

DAY 1
After coping with snoring fellow hostellers in the dormitory we set off at 8.30am and made our way to lands end (see pic 1) where no one was about and we had fun and games using the self timer on the camera. Off we went along the lovely country lanes in glorious sunshine with amazing clouds passing by but not dropping rain on us! Visual highlight was St Michael's Mount with the tide out and we then set off for Camborne and Redruth finding a cafe for a cuppa and then when Ian went to do a sketch the family got split up due to a directional misunderstanding. Ian went into emergency satnav mode and arrived at 3.30 after negotiating the 6 monster and I really mean monster 13, 15, 16 and 17% hills between Newquay and Treyarnon. Unfortunately Hannah and Dad got a little lost and their satnav sent them on strange paths once returning them back down one of the aforementioned mini mountains... Dads faith in new technology is failing, although he does actually have a mobile (but never switches it on)
Dad says that he always thought that if you go up a hill inevitably you have to come down... it seems that in Cornwall this is not the case because we seemed to ascend rather more than descend.  Hannah and Dad want to know whether you have to actually cycle all the way rather than push the bikes uphill, after arriving at 6.15pm? so Paul wants to know whether he gets overtime for 10.5 hours cycling today?
The views from Treyarnon bay are second to none in Cornwall and Ian has completed the second watercolour - see the photos!

Please pray for energy as the days are longer than anticipated and its only day 1!

The Guyver's LEJOG blog!: Our Itinery!

The Guyver's LEJOG blog!: Our Itinery!: "Hey LEJOG followers! So with only 3 days to go until we set off from Lands End we thought it was about time we posted our itinery for the tr..."

Our Itinery!

Hey LEJOG followers! So with only 3 days to go until we set off from Lands End we thought it was about time we posted our itinery for the trip. Here we go..




Tues 07-Sep Lands End to Treyarnon Bay Youth Hoatel (65 miles)

via Penzance, Camborne, St Allen and Newquay.



Wednes 08-Sep Treyarnon Bay to Okehampton (Bracken Tor) (65 miles)

via Padstow, Delabole, Davidstow and Launceston.



Thurs 09-Sep Okehampton to Ashcott (80 miles) staying at Alan + Kay's

via Crediton, Silverton, Wellington (NCN3), Taunton and Bridgewater.



Fri 10-Sep Ashcott to Monmouth Travelodge (75 miles)

via Wells, Chew, Magna, Tockington and Chepstow.



Sat 11-Sep Monmouth to All Stretton (50 miles)

via Ross on Wye, Mordiford, Leominster and Wigmore.



Sun 12-Sep All Stretton to Chester (60 miles)

Via Pontesbury, Forton, Bagley, Ellesmere and Holt.



Mon 13-Sep Day off in Chester.



Tue 14-Sep Chester to Preston (60'ish miles)

Via Ashton, Lymm, Billinge and Ecclestone.



Wed 15-Sep Preston to Windermere (55 miles)

Via Calder ,Vale, Lancaster, Kirby Lonsdale and Kendal.



Thurs 16-Sep Windermere to Carlisle (45 miles)

Via Patterdale, Penrith and Glassonby.



Fri 17-Sep Carlisle to New Lanark (74 miles)

Via Gretna.



Sat 18-Sep New Lanark to Stirling (42 miles)

Via Kilnkadzow, Allanton, Airdrie and Kilsyth.



Sun 19-Sep Sterling to Glenco (80 miles)

Via Callander, Lochearnhead, Crianlarich, and Rannoch Moor.



Mon 20-Sep Day off in Glencoe.



Tue 21-Sep Glencoe to Loch Ness (55 miles)

Via Onich, Fort William, Spean Bridge and Invergarry Fort Augustus.



Wednes 22-Sep Loch Ness to Carbisdale Castle (60 miles)

Via Milton, Muir of Ord, Evanton and Ardgay.



Thurs 23-Sep Carbisdale Castle to Tongue (46 miles)

Via Lairg and Altnaharra B836



Fri 24-Sep Tongue to John O'Groats (66 miles)

Via Bettyhill  and Thurso.

Photo upload test!!..still trying to figure this website out!

Hey LEJOG followers!

Just learning how to use this oh so complicated website..hmmmmm

Hannah