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

Axbridge to Chepstow

Now in Scotland!

It felt really great today crossing the border into Scotland. We cycled through the Lake District today from Hawkshead to Carlisle then onto Gretna Green for the night where we have eloped! Not really so save the shock! Not sure what we will do tomorrow as we would like an easy day so may just get to Dumfries (28 miles).

The videos are coming so don't fret too much - its just that the wireless connectivity has been pretty bad en-route so hoping that we will be able to add a few in one go. But watch the vids on youtube if you are not seeing them in full screen.

It's one week now till our tree planting near Fort Augustus and to be honest the trees are looking a little shabby - they are currently sitting in our hotel bathroom sink! Best place for them as its been a scorching day today.

Now really looking forward to what Scotland has to offer...

P&C

Dulverton to Axbridge

Thornbury to Dulverton

Padstow to Thornbury

Redruth to Padstow

Land's End to Redruth

The Trip from London

Now in Aust next to the Severn Bridge

So we will be going over the border into Wales tomorrow. It's been tough but really enjoyable! We have been soaked by rain clouds, knackered by sheer hills. Emotions have been as transient as the winds and the changing landscapes! Great Britain is truely Great, with startling beauty etched into the land! The most dramatic today being in between the two impressive Severn Bridges along the Estuary - perfect seeing these structures stride their way across the landscape.
Only one mishap with falling off... We went along the old railway 'Strawberry line' to Clevedon, which had a tunnel about 30 meters long, which was quite unexpected... Pete was videoing.... His glasses steamed up and then just plopped off his bike!
Uploading videos has been harder than expected as has blogging due to lack of signal and wifi in places that we have been! But we will hopefully be adding a couple tonight to give you a slice of the adventure (just not the aching limbs!)!
Well we are actually getting somewhere! Really looking forward to seeing our nearest and dearest tomorrow at Peterchurch at the' campsite' in poston mills or the Boughton arms in Peterchurch itself from around 7 at the pub or 4 at the campsite:) . Take it easy Clemmie and Pete xx