The 4th Train

On our way back now and its tougher on the trains than it is cycling! This is the 4th train back from Scotland and its a 16 hour journey. So what happens when we get to Kings Cross? We get a cab! Sorry world, but this time we need your carbon! I suppose that is one thing that I have learnt on this journey - the car is still essential and until there is a real alternative there is no way that we can move beyond our addiction. Some of the places that we have been, getting into a car has been the only way. We have jumped into a car 4 times on this trip for short journeys - mostly to a place to eat from our B&B.

There will be more videos of our trip added soon - but thanks for your support, messages that kept us going when times got tough and reading these blogs and sponsoring us on this exceptional trip that really finished in style.

P&C

Well, we've finally made it and have finished 5 days ahead of schedule! We arrived in John O'Groats at 1.30 this afternoon. The sun was shining and Pete got down on one knee and proposed to me! I said yes and am very happy! :) it's been a tough 25 days but such an achievement! Tha end couldn't have been any better!!

The Final Leg

We left Loch Ness this morning with mist hovering over the grey expanse of water. We picked up the Caledonian Canal into Inverness and bought a new video camera after the last one got run over 3 times (but the tree planting videos weren't damaged)! We then changed the dates for our journey home as we are fitter than we could have ever thought possible and are 5 days ahead of schedule! Therefore we are returning on the 26th august instead of the 31st! So we have 3 days left! The weather was terrible today and we just don't fancy hanging around!! It's freezing! :) Luckily a few thumbs up from passing van drivers keep our spirits up and there is only one road to the end - the A9. Our bikes are now working perfectly - in fact better than when we left - there are some very talented mechanics north of the border!

Tree planting went really well on the Sunday! Our close friends Ronnie, Jules and Gemma came to Loch Ness to support us, actually Ronnie pretty much single handedly planted all the trees by himself, he is the tree planting Don! So thanks Ronnie:)

We are currently around half a stone heavier each - so we have been eating a little too well and the soups in Scotland never fail to satisfy!

With around 116 miles to go we can sniff the end - or is that my socks?

P&C

Day 9 – Peterchurch to Ludlow

Day 8 - Credenhill Tree Planting

Day 7 - Chepstow to Peterchurch

Lost without a boat

After some success with ferries in Scotland we got cocky jumping from one shore to the next. But today without checking the times of the ferries we were stranded on the the other side of Fort William. The only positive outcome at the time was that we had an awesome view of Ben Nevis. After cycling for another 5 miles feeling very stupid and miserable, as the landscape was getting more and more wild we stumbled upon a lovely bed and breakfast on a remote hillside overlooking Loch Linnhe and some stunning scenery!

The day started out badly after trying to buy a gear cable from the stropiest of cycle shop owners - Dave Graham cycles in Oban. We recommend giving him a wide birth, I think it was simply too early for him. Needless to say I didn't leave with my gear cable and I hope my current one lasts out the rest of the way. Then the rain started and we were drenched through, but when the clouds did clear over Castle Stalker, the islands around Loch Linnhe were simply breathtaking.

Most days, when it reaches 5 in the evening we find ourselves in a bus shelter scoffing monster munch and snickers bars saying ' I'm soooooo tired, why are we still cycling and in the middle of nowhere?" either we get lost, which actually doesn't happen that often or we grossly underestimate the length of the journey and still have about 2 hours of solid cycling still to do, but we always reach our destination and at the moment we are slightly ahead of schedule. :)

Tomorrow we will do the same again no doubt, Drumnadrochit on the shores of Loch Ness is where we will be staying, ready for our tree planting at Balmacaan on Sunday at 1:30 in the afternoon.

P&C