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01 Aug - 31 Aug 2008
01 Sep - 30 Sep 2008
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back in Suffolk - I spoke briefly to dad while he was on the train, so I don't yet know if any of you managed to meet dad at the station. In the meantime we've also been busy on PR, so look out for Yorkshire Post and Church Times, and I understand that things have already appeared in the EDP...and there's been some radio coverage too. We're also looking at other national press... If anyone sees press coverage it would be lovely to see a copy!
Thanks,
Maggi
I spoke with dad last night and he said he was 'weary' - not surprising! It was a beautiful day, great scenery and blue sea - a change from some of the weather he's endured! Paul was able to carry dad's panniers so he had less weight and was able to enjoy the trip. When he arrived there was a real sense of occassion with a banner, fizzy and a medal!
He then went on to Wick, and was saved the extra 15 miles cycling as the bike went into Paul's hire car - a welcome bonus for dad. He's setting off for Inverness by train mid morning, and then back to Beccles tomorrow, due to arrive on the 23.26 (if all of the connections work...). Then we'll all need to help him to relax for a while!
Maggi
Fantastic! Dad arrived at about 12.00 in John O'Groats - with Paul there holding a banner, popping open some fizzy and taking lots of photo. Great news on an amazing achievement! I'll speak to heim later, so we'll get more of an update then.
Maggi
Seems a long time since I was typing 'day two...'!. I spoke with dad very briefly earlier, and now can't get any reception. He's had a nother good day - with a stop at a friendly church along the way and a gentle 28 miles (now over the 1000 mark!). Paul has arrived safely, which is wonderful - dad really appreciates the company and support. The only negative thing dad had to say about today was that the b&b was 4 miles outside Melvick...so he's got an extra 4 miles tomorrow...
So, final day coming up - about 40 miles to John O'Groats and a celebration, then another 17 miles to get to Wick, where he'll stay the night before going to Inverness on Tuesday and then back to Beccles on Wednesday.... All the best for tomorrow dad!
Maggi
Sorry saturday's entry is so late - internet connection problems...
Dad had a really good day yesterday, he described it as 'the nicest day of the whole trip, really relaxing and enjoyable'. The hills were gentle, the weather was lovely and the scenery was breathtaking with views of mountains with their tops in the clouds. He arrived at the friendly YHA in Tongue to see he's done 999 miles! - he even had time and energy for a walk.
I love the idea of bagpipes at John O'Groats, probably too late to organise anything live, so I'll see if Paul can get a CD to add to the mood - it's great that he'll be there to help dad to celebrate.
Maggi
Dad arrived in Laig this afternoon, after a tougher day than expected because of the hills...and a moment of horror when a sign showed 17 miles more than dad was expecting (but fortunately that was by the main roads, big relief!) The bike is still behaving, but needing lots of oil to stop the creaking, (I did ask if dad's joints were creaking too!). There's been some beautiful scenery along the way and he's looking forward to a gentler day tomorrow, he doesn't plan to leave until after 8am! Hopefully he'll have a chance to enjoy the scenery...
Apart from that we spoke of wine making, killing slugs, eating surplus marrows and the philosophy of happiness - so a well rounded conversation!
Maggi
I had a very brief conversation with dad last night at the Inverness YHA, as the reception was so poor. I was able to hear that he'd had a fairly easy day - although there was a head wind for the last bit. The scenery continues to be beautiful, and there are now only 4 more days of cycling to do! My brother, Paul, is planning to see dad on the final day (travelling through the night by bus to get there), and is hoping to be able to be at Johb O'Groats to mark the momentous occassion, it will be great if dad can share that moment with someone.
I'm hoping to get the PR machine truly operational today - so if anyone has contacts in teh press, please get in touch!
Maggi
Fantastic! dad called this afternoon (from a phone box as the reception is so poor). He's made it through the Cairngorms. His route took him over 4 steep passes, plus a smaller pass. It wasn't easy, and he had to push his bike up the steepest bits, but it was dry, and not as bad as he thought it might be! Again, it was fun going down (just as well he had his brake pads changed earlier in the week!), and he arrived in Grantown-on-Spey in reasonable time. If you look on the map it's amazing to see how far he's travelled, the end really is in sight, and the worst of the hills is over too!
Maggi
