Well, here I am again, signing in to wish everyone a very happy holiday season and to update you on my sponsorship.

I finally collected all my sponsors and am pleased and proud to let you all know we raised £5,126.00
A very big THANK YOU to you all for supporting, helping, encouraging, and most of all sponsoring me on my journey along the length of The British Isles!!

It’s been a big year for me, but I couldn’t have done it without you…..
Anita fron The Alzhiemer’s Society thanks you too.

I hope to keep in touch through this blog sometimes,  stay in touch,

Beth xx

Another week gone since we were in rainy Inverness – beautiful, but rainy Inverness. 
Fully back in pub-mode, although that really only took a day or so, I keep getting asked where my next adventure will be.  The newspaper article about our ride stated I would be doing the Pacific coast of America, although I’m not sure I’ll get leave for that….It would be fantastic though, don’t you think?  

Today I drove down to Devils Dyke – thinking half way there I really should have cycled!!  But I had a bag full of camera equipment to try out, so I drove.  It’s been a beautiful sunny day and I was hoping that the paragliders would be up.  Unfortunately I think it was too windy for them.  Not for the birds though, they hovered on the wind for a bit of fun I think. 

I had lots of trys with my new lense, think I need a lot more practice though.  Maybe I should download some instructions!!  It was a super day out, well half a day anyhow, and I had a yummy lunch in the pub at the top of the hill.   After a while of wandering and shooting pictures, and generally looking shifty…..my hands got really cold and it thought it best to jump in my nice warm car. 

I came back into Horsham and checked out some more tiles, then back to get ready for our weekly night out.   

Really need a new task, other than painting a house, to get my teeth into.  Any suggestions?   Will try to take some more exciting photos for you next time.  Take care,

Beth x

Hi there and welcome to Autumn proper.  It’s been a wet and windy week, every day except Thursday that is.  Which was just as well because I got my bike back from it’s service on thursday- HURRAH – and went out for a ‘recovery’ ride in the afternoon.  It was a bit late for a recovery ride really, but it was great to get back in the saddle and ride round the countryside again.  Next time the sun comes out, I’ll do it again!  Hope that’s soon.

On Friday 1st October Ray Welton kindly said I could come to his 2010 launch of the Old Ale and collect for The Alzheimers Society.  I was happy to take him up on his offer and even happier to be able to taste the new Old Ale and experience a fantastic evening out.

 

Ray Welton's Old Ale tasting session.

He had a great turn out, with many people wanting to taste the beer and The Broadwood Morris side with guests to entertain us all.  The beer was indeed delicious, I think Simon has already ordered 2 barrels!  If you want to find out more check, out the link to the right.  Katia had laid out a fine array of cheeses with great chunks of french bread which was most welcome after a couple of beers.  I set up the big map, and my Alzheimers cycle top, trophy, balloons and the laptop with a slide show of our journey so people could get a taste of our adventure.  As I squeezed through the throng, collecting, I heard many tales of cyclists, would-be lejogers and family storys of loved ones with dementia.  It was interesting and moving, and I enjoyed every minute.  Everyone was very generous over the evening and I collected £211.05.  Thankyou one and all, but special thanks to Ray and Katia for inviting me to be there.  

I’m still collecting my sponsors for the le2jog’s ride, thank you all once again.  The link is still open to my just giving page too…..just in case…..

I very much look forward to next time I get out on the bike, but meanwhile I have three sessions on the calendar for painting round the corner.  I did a few hours yesterday, and can now move down the stairwell, painting as I go to reach the first floor.  Then I may have to sand plaster again  –  YUCK.  Keep in touch, I’ll let you know how I go!!!

Beth xx

Still trying to get into a ‘normal’ routine here in Maplehurst…..or perhaps I already have.  Am missing my bike, it’s still getting it’s service, and winter draws on.   Hopefully I’ll pick up my bike tomorrow – they said it would be done by today – and I can get out again. 
As to what adventure to tackle next.  That will be on the back boiler for some time to come yet.  There seem to be dozens of exciting places to go though.  
The Scillys are great for diving too according to Andy who got back this week from his excellent adventure there.  Maybe I should get on a dive trip as an interlude……  Now I know I’m rambling, but it’s fun to dream don’t you think?
Andy and his dive buddys saw lots of seals, and it occured to me that I hadn’t told you of the seals we saw cycling and then on the drive back along the firth.  They were swimming playfully on the way up, and basking lazily on the banks on the drive back.  Very exciting either way.

In the meantime i could try and find time to play with my new camera lense….i’m sure I could spare an hour or two for that.  I think it’s going to take some getting used to. 

So, what I need is some serious list making, not only for things I’d like to do, places I’d like to go, and the like, but for things that need to get done before any of the fun stuff can start!   Oh golly, it was far easier cycling 60+ miles a day!!!

I’m still getting monies in for my ride, so please come in and honor your pledges, if you haven’t already, and don’t forget you can still add your name to the list.  Thank you, as ever for all your support.

Beth xx

It’s been a week since we got back from our epic adventure.  I had my first cycling dream last night – we were in Reading on the way home cycling home from John O’Groats!  I must be keen. 
Actually I’m missing my bike.  It went in for a service the day after we got home and is going to be ready on Wednesday next week.  Too long away, and too long before a ‘recovery’ ride.  It’ll be more like a ‘learn to ride my bike again’ ride!  The big map is still up in the pub and each day when I look at it I still marvell at the distance we covered.  At the time it became routine, getting up at 7, sorting kit, breakfast at 8, set off no later than 9.  Cover the miles. 
I miss it.

People keep asking me what will be next, but at the moment I’ll have to concentrate on work, the house round the corner, and rather more excitingly, Kerrie and Adam’s wedding next year.  There are many places I’d happily take my bike around the world.  One day perhaps.  For now, I have many happy memories of a tour of Great Britain. 
Montbretia lining the roads in Cornwall, crazy, neverending hills over Exmoor with fluffy sheep and bolshy ponies.
Rainy, but beautiful Devon.
Stunning views of Clifton Suspension Bridge and then the new and old Severn Bridges.
Staying at the lovely Riverside Inn, followed by the not so lovely Raven Hotel!
Reaching Preston after only a week……wow!
Climbing the long and beautiful Shap Fell.
Penrith, pasta, togas and cocktails.
Moffat and the endearing Moffat Ram.
Rainy Glasgow and stealing 3 extra miles and losing a hill 😉
Crianlarich the rainbow day and ending up at ‘home’ with Jen and her drying room.
Strong faces on the Commando Memorial, mean B&b who turn their wi-fi off at night.
A 15% hill ending in pipes and kilts at Beauly.
Golspie, got there early, drank the bar dry…..well nearly.
Wick – very nearly there now. 
Early start, sunny day with stunning views…the Orkneys, and oh!  Here we are in John O’Groats.
Welcoming committee with great coach John, Simon, Chris, Roxanne, Alex and Jo.  🙂
Recovery in Inverness before getting in the camper van for the journey home.

So a week’s gone by and the world has gone back to normal, nearly anyhow.  The map’s still up so I can marval at the distance we covered everyday and remember my favourite riding buddies, Jackie, Alex and David.  We have to do something else in the future.  I love that Pacific coast idea Jackie.  Great link you sent over…..Well done on Album making too- great selection of pictures.

Thank you too for your generous sponsorship, I’m still collecting but it looks like it may be nearly £4,000.  For anyone who may like to sponsor me post event, the Just Giving link is still open (to the right of this post)  and the sheet is still out in The White.  The Alzheimers Society will be very grateful for all contributions.  Keep in touch, and I’ll keep posting. 

Beth xx

Yesterday – Monday 20th – we woke at the usual time, for the usual breakast slot in order to leave at 8:30. 
But this time there was no lycra, no weather watching to see how many layers to put on and no kit check.    Bit sad really.
John, Jackie and I were due to set off in the trusty camper van to bring bikes, dirty laundry, kit and ourselves back to Sussex.   Alex,David and Simon were going to be flying down at lunchtime so as we could all meet at The White Horse in the evening.  We were happy to see the rain, as we didn’t have to ride in it, and we did feel a pang for the two riders with panniers cycling up the steep sliproad from Abington Services.  I remember that hill well!!     What’s missing from the picture?  4 bikes chained to the sign.  About a week or so earlier we had been at Abington Services, also in the rain, to fuel up before heading off for our second leg of the day.  Memories – ahhhh! 
John did a sterling job at the wheel of the camper, getting us home in 11 hours door to door, with only two short stops.  Jackie and I helped where we could being well behaved (sleeping a lot mostly) reading quietly and never asking – ‘Are we nearly there yet?’  It was a strange journey early on as we recognised bits of our cycle, even when we were one road removed on the motorway.  The big highrise flats as you come into the Glasgow area were very obvious, and I couldn’t even tell where our road had been across the countryside.

It has been the most wonderful two weeks of cycling, seeing the wonderful countryside of England, Wales and Scotland – there are many places I would like to go back and visit for a longer look.  For our journey though, we were spot on I think, for time out each day and for the sights we got to see.  Thanks again to John, who spent months of planning, booking and making sure it all went smoothly on the event, and without his efforts, this would surely not have happened.  Fitting then that the welcome home banner, kindly created by Ann, included all our names, peddlers and coach side by side.   

This was the first thing we saw as we drove into the car park, and as wwe tumbled out of the van, a little stiff from sitting so long, people can out clapping and cheering to welcome us home.  Alex had been over earlier to get a pat on the back, and david joined us shortly after to capture some of the excitment.  There were balloons and banners, and the big map of Great Britain all on proud display. There I placed my trophy too and cards of congratulation. 

Pins all up the country, showing our route.

We had been gee’d along our trip reading all the comments of support on our blog’s and now we could see how we had been followed on the map.  Each evening after we had sent news we had arrived at the days destination, the new pin was put in.  A big bow was on the top to show we made it! 

Thank you to all who came last night to welcome us home, to all those who have followed us along the way, and to all of you who have taken time to comment.  Even today I welcome two new commentors – Ian Mcbean and Rosemary Cowley.  We certainly had agood time unwinding and enjoying the party!

Thank you too to all those who have sponsored me for my trek.  The Alzheimers Society will be very grateful I’m sure.  As I’m still collecting I haven’t a total yet, but I will keep you updated.  Also, it’s not too late to sponsor if you would still like to.  The Just Giving link is still up and running, and of course the sheet in the pub is too. 

I’ve got to go and open up now, and I’m sure viewing figures will go down now the ride is finished, but I’ll be continuing on my blog for those who would like to get the final figures, photos I may get from others, and other events that may spring from this one.  The Pacific Coast of America might be fun, or perhaps Europe somewhere.  The possibilities are endless……any ideas from the crowd?

All the best, keeping checking in,                                                                                                       

Beth xx

 

 

What can I say, 9 months of training, some excellent planning from John, and a certain amount of dogged-ness on all our parts, and we set off on the most excellent adventure.  I’m sure I’ll never forget it and I feel fairly certain the rest of the team won’t either.  It’s been an exciting ride in more ways than one and we’ve tackled the trek together.  We set off this morning from Wick thinking we had 18 miles to go, the road signs spelt out fairly early we only had 16!  still we enjoyed the morning, the sun was shining and the views were fantastic as ever.  I had a big muppetry moment when I realized I’d left my SD stick in the computer in the van – doh! It did mean it was only Alex left for the photo stops.  David’s phone had gond down in the rain in Glasgow, Jackies had put her’s in John’s safe hands, and I’d been muppet of the day.  We soaked up the last hour and a half in a mixture of excitment and sadness that it would soon be over.  Particularly as we got to the edge of Jophn O’Groats itself.  We were getting very excited then….        

We've arrived!

We stoppe on the outskirts of town, and then set off for the finish line…we had spent the morning coasting along the most Northern edge of the British Isles, not quite wanting to let it end so soon.  We took the final hill with brakes on fully so as to finish together as the team we were over the past two weeks.  We saw John through the car park jesturing madly to go around the road and finish over the right line.  Actually what he was doing was keeping us from seeing the special guests who had arrived for the moment.  We got to John, happy to have finished and he was there with his phone as he had been every day to capture us as we arrived at our destination.   Then from behind us came Chris, Roxanne, Alex and Jo, Jackie and John’s son’s and girlfriends.  Jackie dropped her bike and gave them all big hugs.  We then cycled over to a finish/start line that had been painted on the tarmac and had pictures taken there.  Just then I saw Simon walking across the way.  What a surprise, and waht a welcome. 🙂  The others had spotted him in his hire car coming up the hill as we were on the home stretch, but I was unaware that he was coming up for the finish.  It was great to have someone to welcome you…and take pictures.  Everything happened so quickly after that, there were people everywhere, including a chap called Paul who finished at the same time as us, but had walked the distance, taking 66 days.  It made me feel quite small really.  Maybe I should walk it next time!!!  Or maybe not.  Today we rode about 16 miles, in 1 hour 23 mins.  One of our quieter days!
  Here we are at the finish line enjoying the moment. 

Paul (walker), Alex, David, me, Jackie and John.

We had our official sheets stamped so we can send them off and get our official certificate.  John had champagne and trophies for us all which was quite a surprise and really exciting.    Simon helped take photos and get hot drinks for all who wanted them. There was so much going on at once, it was hard to take it all in. I expect it will take a few days to sink in. 

I’m feeling elated and deflated all at the same time, I want it to go on longer!   Simon drove David and I to Inverness and we took  Paul (the walker ) to Wick so that he could get a train to somewhere to get picked up.  It was strange being in a car and seeing the roads from the opposite angle and much faster! 

We have now had a fun night out, a curry which was yum and caught up with loved ones.  Tomorrow we are travelling back to Sussex by plane and by van.  We are hoping to back in the White Horse between 8:00 and 9:00 pm.  We very much hope to see lots of you then. 

I’ve got to thank Jackie for suggesting this adventure, being a top ride buddy and for dongle usage along the way, John for making it happen and being a brilliant coach, David for being behind us all the way and Alex for unlimited hugs and support and being a top photo taker, and for Simon for letting me have the time off for training and the ride itself and for coming to greet us at the finish. 
Thanks to to all of you for following us, supporting us, sponsoring us and generally being good friends through it all.   will be continuing the blog for a while….to update on post ride happenings, and hopefully for posting some more pictures of our travels.  Also I’m looking forward to going over my favourite time so the trip.  Come along to the pub or check out my blog too to see more.   

Funnily enough I’m a bit sleepy, so I’m going to sign off now, please keep in touch and let me know what you think.

Night night now,

Beth xx

Hello, and welcome back, I thought it might be safer if I wrote my blog before dinner tonight!!  So here I am.  Sorry if I offended anyone with my ramblings…..you’ll be pleased to know I woke up reash as a daisy!  Even I was a bit surprised.  Tonight we have to go out for dinner and we arrived in about an hour later, so we may not have the same opportunity to get de-mob happy.  Rest assured we’ll make up for it tomorrow after we cross the finish line at John O’Groats.  What an adventure we’ve had – are still having – although Coach says we’re done now, we’re not…quite.  Only 18 miles to go though, so chances are…………………GREAT!

Today we set off from Golspie with a spring in our saddles, knowing that this was the last long ride to do.  The Hotel we stayed at had a helpful sign that stated we had come 777 miles and had 73 to go.    
[Ooh good, internet connection problems….that’s me up ’til 12:00 again 😉 ]
Anyhows, we rode well this morning and with little signs of civilization, we had no distractions.  The scenery as ever was stunning and very soon we saw the North Sea.  Shortly after our first sightings the North Sea oils rigs came into sight and I had to think of Kerrie’s friend and whether or not she’d be on hers today.  I waved just in case….

Sighting the North Sea.

We meandered up the coast for several miles before we hit the final hills of substance of our trip.  They were pink on the scale (steep in places)  and we set into poley poley mode pretty quickly.  The first was long and dragging, but the second was a 13% er that wound up the side of the coast giving us some more beautiful views on the way.  I’ve enjoyed all that Scotland has offered on the scenic front, it’s been so varied too.  Today I enjoyed seeing more of the little farms they have up here with the full complement of cows, sheep, chickens sometimes goats.  We even passed a Llama farm today.  The dry stone walls curl over and around the hilly terrain right down to the sea in places.  The sheep in particular shelter from the wind, tucked up against the stones.  More pictures I’d have liked to have taken.  Up the steep hill the valley turned into woodland with Autumn colours showing through, and a river weaving down the valley.  It was worth a stop for a photo, even if I had to do a hill start after.   Half way up the first hill today we encountered the Caithness sign.  We’ve been trying to capture all the County boundries along the way…though I think I’ve missed a few.  It was always satisfying to know we’d crossed another border safe and sound.  We were looking for a place for a coffe stop after 25 miles or so, and there really wasn’t anything but the odd crofters house/ farmstead.   We have a narrow escape when we turned off the main road to go into a village where we thought there would be a cafe….but turned around when we saw the entry/exit road was 11%.  There was no way we were going to add, voluntarily, a hill like that onto our route.  We found an odd little Spar shop just off the main drag and bought some pies to eat.  Jackie contacted John and he said he was waiting for us with his bike at a hotel 4 miles-ish down the road.  Dutifully we set off, passing two tea shops on the way, to meet him.  When we finally got there he was ready for the off.   We politely (I think) explained (in no uncertain terms) that we would like to stop for a coffee break. 
We had a nice break with a hot drink and food.  Although the weather has been really good for us, it was pretty sunny today,  the wind really zaps you of energy, and it was pretty strong again this afternoon.  So a short break before the final push into Wick was well received.  John then took the lead to blast us into town.  Very good fun on the down slopes, slightly harder work on the up slopes.  Ok, much harder work on the up slopes.  We arrived in Wick in good time to be relaxed over showering and then lounging in the bar before going out to eat at a lovely bistro on the shortest road in the world.  Or so they claim.  A few whiskeys for those who drink the stuff in a bar after, and people were set for bed.  That left me in the hotel lounge area with three giggling waitresses polishing the cutlery for tomorrows meals.  Between them and the loud radio, I hope this all makes sense?!  At least I had wi-fi again. 

Before I leave you I got permission from Alex to air the photo of him last night winding down in Golspie.  Small place, but it has a lot to answer for!  I feel sure tomorrow night we will celebrate too after we get to Inverness for our final night away. 

Alex, trying to unwind - not sure he's quite there yet!

There will be more posts over the next few days as we finish our ride proper – celebrate – arrive back at The White Horse on Monday and celebrate some more. 

Am very excited and a little sad that it is going to be the final day tomorrow.  I look forward to hearing all your comments tomorrow – thank you as always,
night night for now,

Beth xx
ps. I just realized you can see David unwinding too, in the mirror.

 Hi all, and thank you for the comments and support as ever.  We have finished day 14, only 1 and a 1/2 to go – hurrah!  I think we got into de-mob mode a little early tonight, so excuse me if this post meanders a bit in it’s content!  It’s 10:26 pm, the others have gone to bed and I’m left in the hotel’s front lounge, where the wi-fi signal works!!  We had a great ride today, making good progress to our lunch stop 32-ish miles into the ride at a nice town the name of which escapes me.  It may be the time-lag, it may be the alcohol consumed tonight.  Which ever the details of todays exploits may be a little less than totally acurate.  As I say, the miles covered were efficiant today, so we were well on target at lunch time to beat even our half days times.  We stopped for few photo ops, and only one coffee stop.

 I think this sign speaks for it’s self.  We are now making headway up, North (as all the signs helpfully tell us) toward John O’Groats.  There was a sign early in the day, which said John O’Groats 104 (I think) miles.  Woo hoo we’re nearly there!  We even had a momentary relapse and thought we’d just go ahead and do it all today.  
Woah, there….lets not get too hasty!  All will become clear. 

The scenery today was varied, mostly light industrial, but some agricultural, and some nice photo ops.  Not that we got that many today, it seems we are on a mission – imagine that!  Something about getting to the top end of Scotland, crazy eh?
Hey ho, took a few piccys along the way to amuse you.
                                                                              

Oil rig. The scenery changed from the vast highlands and the forested Lochs, to more flat, agricultural/light industrial along the way. There were two or three oil rigs as we got into sea-scapes. No where near (I don't think) the Firth of Fourth where Dad's final project was with Shell building an oil refinery....Hey ho, it was big at the time. The Queen opened it and all!So today we had a short stop for coffee around 20 miles in and the onward to a lunch stop around 32 miles. It was a quaint town, the name of which escapes me at the mo, and after Jackie had gone down and come up the hill to check out another venue, we stopped in ~The Sunflower Cafe. Jackie, seeking out a rest stop.

Perfect for a snack and a drink.  Great Coach John met us there on his bike – och-oh, we knew what that meant…. 

No slacking on the home-bound leg!!    We set off at a lick toward Golspie, our stop for night 15, with John in the lead.  I stayed up with him and Jackie, taking advantage of the drafting in the wind.  It was strong again this afternoon and I was grateful for the wake….unfortunately I lost it at one point, and unless you’re of ironman potential (which I’m clearly not) it is near impossible to get back in touch.  I was between John and Jackie, with a good lead, and Alex and David after a pee stop…didn’t stand a chance really.  Or I broke down, if David was correct, not keeping in touch with the front group, if John was right…or clearly – as I saw it – oh, I’ve forgotten the technical term now….oh, that’s it CBA.    Anyhow, it was all hard work in the wind, but we all grouped together by the the start of Golspie and ended up at this lovely place at around 2:30 pm.  Perfect!  Thanks John for taking another 1/2 hour off our days ride, and finding this lovely place and the perfect room for me in the attic.  Is’nt that where they normally hide the difficult Princess’s??  We had a fun-filled aftenoon/evening of drink, fine dining and more drink. 

  Thanks coach!!  I’ll be well bolloxed now for tomorrows sprint for Wick!!!   I know, I just don’t no when to say ‘no’ to that last drink of the evening. It’s my own, crazy fault!   Thank goodness everyone else went to bed soon after 10:00!  I was going to put a picture of Alex with his fine malt whiskey in here, but I really ought to get permission………………..I will put in a fine picture Alex took yesterday- Oh, ok computer’s not playing fair.  I’ll not be putting in any more pictures, and it’s sorted my text in an odd fashion.  Computers eh?  Who’d have ’em? 

I’m looking forward to our last big day’s ride of over 50-ish miles, then about 18 on the last day.  We’ve had a tremendous two weeks, full of excitment, fabulous views, crazy drivers, more fantastic scenery and a lot of team support.   I’d better get some sleep now….I’ll not be able to keep up again, and be called all sorts of  things in the day’s de-brief!!  

I do hope those at home have got back online for tomorrow and will give us a big cheer for the last push….nearly there, but not quite….

take care, looking forward to hearing from you all,

Beth xx
ps. Oh good, in bed by midnight again 😉 xx

pps.  I’ll try and get some more exciting photos for you tomorrow 😉

With the forecast much the same as yesterday we bundled up for cold, rain and wind.  Thankfully, only the wind and cold were around, and they were not as bad as they could have been!  We were set for an flat-ish day with a sharp hill at the end of Loch Ness.  Actually we made good time and the 52 miles looked liked being beat around lunch, depending on stops. But before we left we said hello to the B&B’s friendly Highland cattle, more smiley than their owners in actual fact! 
 With the imminent wind in mind, we started drafting first thing, which put us in good stead for the whole day.  Jackie was well pleased with her newly sorted gears, and coped really withh with a new saddle as her old one finally went terminal.  Hat’s off to you Jackie, that’s a serious bit of kit to be changing at this point in the journey.  

We stopped after 20 miles just before Loch Ness for a coffee/hot chocolate stop, watched while the lock gates let boats down the river toward the Loch and then set off for the long cycle along Loch Ness.  It reminded me a bit of my pub crawl in Berkeley as we gathered the bikes together to lock them when we stopped.  Less boozy and amazingly less hilly-well so far anyway.

A bundle o'bikes.

  
At some point today, and I can’t quite remember when, we passed by a beautiful bridge -Invermoriston bridge – where we stopped for a drink stop and a photo op. 

Looking across from Invermoriston Bridge.

Loch Ness is a huge Loch and you can see where if you stared long enough you might see some sea creature or other….we did not see anything much, aside lots of water and a strange building on the far banks that Alex thought might be Nessie’s own private hotel!  Unlike Loch Lomond we couldn’t see a lot of Ness, there were too many trees in the way.  There were some spectacular forests, some of stately firs where you might spot a red squirrel, and some of grand oaks.  As ever we were treated to a stunning surroundings and pleasantly dry weather.  Sunny for the most part in fact. 

Loch Ness.

It was amazing how long it took us to ride the length of the Loch, and then we turned inland to our final stop before home.  Drumnadrochit is a pretty little touristy town where we stopped for a coffee/chocolate.  We were steeling ourselves for the big hill ahead which we were hoping coach John had ‘bigged up’. 
We turned out of town toward Beauly, our stop for the night.  Immidiately we started up a hill and I thought, for a moment, that John had been having us on about the severity of our last big hill.
It turned out he wasn’t having us on and he hadn’t bigged it up.  We turned right into a side road to Beauly and I saw the sign. 

Ok, so this was the down one - but there was one on the way up too!

Oh my – 15 %  We went into poley poley mode very quickly, but even then it was hard, hard work.  We had to stop just over half way to catch our breath, and Alex had a fight with his bike around this point.  But re-gathered and breath back we continued to the top.  We felt elated, or I did anyway, to have conquered it.  Then we were treated to 12 miles mostly downhill, hurrah, to our resting place for the night.  We got in about 3:20 covering 51 miles,  (740 in all) averaging 11mph.   The town is small but bustling, and we enjoyed an evening with John and Jackie’s friends and new baby.  As they were leaving we we treated to a pipe band marching down the High Street.  Later I went to watch them in the square. It was great. 

Sorry some of you in and around Maplehurst won’t get to see this until they find the rotter who stole the brass cable that feeds the phone lines round there.  I look forward to welcoming you back soon.  I can’t believe it will really take them a week to fix it.  What do they want to do- find the origional brass bits??
Thank you as always to those who have left comments….carry on the good work.

Just to prove we’re in the depths of Scotland, I’ll leave you with a picture of Gavin our bartender tonight.   I’ll check in tomorrow, wi-fi permitting, take care,

Beth xx