The Start

We got to Lands End at 9.30 and the rider sped away leaving me to have a wander and take photos before following in his wake. It was largely a coastal route throught St Just, St Ives, Porthtown,Perranporth and inland to ST Columb Major where we are staying at a farm B and B. Pat says there were some killer hills. I found them trying and I was driving. The very narrow lanes with high hedgerows can be a bit scary when a huge tractor comes the other way. Pat cycled 65 miles and seems in reasonable shape-has just had a long, hot bath while I have found the one window sill in the farmhouse where there is reception and my "dongal" works!! We both got lost in the late afternoon and yours truly was a wee bit stressed about being incommunicado and there being no way of giving Pat directions to a most hidden, inaccessible farmhouse. I eventually drove back to St Columb Major praying that I might find the lonely cyclist and there he was standing wearily at a crossroads! It's great to have the first day behind us and to have had some lovely sunshine in which to enjoy the splendid scenery.

Please know that any silence on my part is due to no reception as I so enjoy communicating with friends and sponsors. It's easier than cycling!

Getting ThereI

I did not blog yesterday as there was no reception where we were in Cornwall. The journey down took longer than expected and I drove the last hour or so with my progress punctuated by snores and comment such as "Change gear!" and "Mind my bike"(which was secured to the back of the car considerably increasing its width.) We had a lovely time in the Sloggett's cottage near Falmouth and Liz spoilt us with a superb Jamie Oliver dinner!The biker did not have too good a night- pre-ride nerves I think!

Great Encouragements

By way of encouragement one of our daughters gave Patrick this card today! It reads "Age is mind over matter- if you don't mind it doesn't matter." I guess there will be times on the journey when mind-power is as important as leg and lung power!

The great encouragement to us is that we have received at this stage £5000.00 in sponsorship. Thank you all so much. Take a moment to look at where much of the money will go: (www.epapfeeding.co.za )

A third encouragement is that Pat had a good training session on Saturday cycling 62 miles including the hill at Newlands Corner and was a little stiff, but is fine today. He went at a faster pace than he will be doing day by day on Le-Jog. The dining room table is awash with bits and pieces such Sudocrem and mapbooks and picnic stuff.Packing starts in earnest now as we leave on Wednesday for Lands End. You probably won't hear from me again until later in the week

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers!

Off to train again!

Pat is clocking up the miles while the money is pouring in from our wonderful supporters. We can't back out now! The Close Up maps of Britain have been highlighted from top to bottom and Pat has ordered some Sustrans maps as well. The first 4 B and Bs have been booked- with some difficulty as it is a Bank holiday week end. The Broads are kindly accompanying us for 2 or 3 days from Taunton into Wales and Shropshire, so Richard is also training. We have quite a few other preparations to make: more bookings, a new coolbag and thermos, acquiring a TOM TOM (Pat does not seem to have complete trust in the PEN PEN!)various phone calls, sending out the blog details to sponsors and friends etc etc. And we have the GRCT Trust meeting next Friday with some important business to do, so life is busy at the moment. Read about the GRCT on www.grct.org.uk so you know where your money is going.

A 50 Mile Ride!

Patrick cycled 50 miles on Saturday morning - to Westcott and back- and seems to be none the worse for wear! Some stiffness in the legs but otherwise he managed well. His "back-up" slipped up in that he was locked out when he returned. Fortunately the Flaxmans were in their garden and could give him the spare key. He thinks the 60 miles in a day will be manageable.It's "the day after day 60 miles in all weathers for 17 days" that will be hard!

I am practising on the "notebook" acquired for the journey and hope my backing-up and blogging will be up to speed by the 21 May.

Map Reading

We are now into detailed planning-headache inducing stuff-and so far have mapped out the routes for the first few days. As we shall be using the less well known roads travelling through strangely named places, it is all very interesting. Pat plans to do his first 50 mile ride this week end.

Preparation Begins

Above please see some of the wee ones whom your gifts help to feed!


Pat has worked out the general route through the west side of the UK but we need to begin to plan the detail this week. He is also doing more cycling now that the squash season is coming to an end. We have also started to let people know and sponsorship is coming in. Over £600 already after only 3 days. We are thrilled at the generosity of our supporters and friends! Thank you