Monday, 15 June 2009

Job Done

Sorry for the silence, no signal at Bettyhill and no time at John O Groats!!
Yes it's all over, the cyclists crossed the line around 4pm on Saturday to the sound of Alexander piping "Scotland the Brave"
It was quite a moment and great to see so many people had made the effort to make the long journey to John O Groats.
Bettyhill was a total revelation for me, I have never seen a beach like it, and to have the whole thing to myself was just what the doctor ordered.
My room was lush and to have a big double bed with lovely crisp white sheets was amazing after the RV "shelf"....thanks James!
The last day started as all the others had done, breakfast, banana and mars bar distribution, "have a nice day" etc etc I had company in the shape of Alexander and we set off for Thurso. About 5 miles out of Bettyhill David phoned to tell me Neil's bike was GASSED!!! and could I go back and pick him up.
The sight of Neil at the side of the road with a very broken bike was a very sorry one and to happen on the last day was all the worse.
The bike was repaired in Thurso, but not in time for him to join the others at the end.
Left all afternoon to experience the delights of Thurso and many bakers.....
After the big finish we all retired to play "how many people can we get in one static caravan"......19 i think it was!
We had a great meal out, then more celebration back at the caravan
Took me back to my theatre days and a good after show party!
The party continued till the wee small hours and there were a few sore heads yesterday!!
Back to work today....156 emails to deal with!
I know I didn't cycle one single mile but I still have a great sense of achievement and I'm so glad I took the time out to do it.
This was my "largish" birthday treat to myself, and what a treat it was!
I saw some breathtaking sights, really gorgeous countryside, scary motorways, HUGE bridges, BIG hills, lush campsites, two ferries and wonderful unspoilt beaches.
I've got a couple of big thanks to do.....James and Megan held the fort at home, without their support I wouldn't have been able to go and switch off from it all.
Everyone at Castlehill who have kept my stuff ticking over meaning I had a relatively stress free first day back.
All my friends who phoned and texted, I always had someone to talk to if I needed an offload!!
Last but not least.....David and Alec, right from the very beginning you made me feel very much part of the team, and I knew you felt the RV and me were an essential part of the challenge.
My role changed somewhat when the other team members arrived, and the RV was an all together busier place after that!!
These last three weeks will stay with me for a long time.
The RV went back to Dee Valley tonight, and I hope to pick up my "tiny" new car tomorrow. I will miss having my "house on my back" as it were, it taught me a bit about how much "stuff" we have and do not need.
By the way.......Sheila Duthie, thank you for the daily "tasks", I'm only sorry I didn't have the chance to complete more of them..and a huge big thanks for the morning "thought for the day"
David was at the point that when he heard my phone first thing in the morning he always said...."That's Sheila!"
Bless you Sheila xxx
Thanks for reading the blog and the comments.
See you at the next challenge.......
Love
Shaz
xxxx

Saturday, 13 June 2009

Day 17 Saturday

We're finished! 50miles to John O Groats today...hard going into a strong headwind. A short but tough day to end with. Fantastic to be greeted by so many supporters at the end - special thanks to Alexander for piping us over the line! It's been a tough but fantastic trip and we will sum things up in more detail once we've recovered!! Off now for a night on the Town in Thurso....

Days 15/16 Thurs/Fri

Days 15 & 16
Thursday

Neil’s first day with us and we’re straight off up the infamous Fort Augustus Hill. To quote Susan “I’m not liking this!” We were soon rewarded with some fantastic views as we moved down to Foyers and Loch Ness. A quick stop off at “Happy Harry’s” coffee shop with Basil Fawlty style service and we’re soon passing the Rockness site at Dores. We were joined for 20 miles by George and Colin as far as Muir of Ord. Final stop of the day at The Courtyard in Dingwall for an excellent cup of tea served by very friendly staff. We arrived at Evanton in time to meet up with Arlene who was on her way up to the party in Thurso. Another 57 miles completed.


Friday

Completed the Struie hill with no problems and we’re soon through Bonar Bridge and on to Lairg for lunch. A quick stop at the Crask Inn for refreshments and we completed the 76 mile day to Bettyhill in good time. We’re now in the Bettyhill Hotel for a goodnights sleep before the final push to John O’Groats tomorrow!

Thursday, 11 June 2009

This RV Aint For Sale!!!

Sitting in the RV having a cup of tea with the cyclists (and Arlene) who joined us on her way up to Thurso.....all of us sitting on any available seat we could get, to shelter from the rain....
A van drives into the site, with what can only be described as "a couple of undesirables" in it.
They gesture to me to come out as they wanted to talk to me.
Being stuck in the front seat surrounded by the "bar", and unable to get out of the door as there was a bike in the way, David went out to see what they wanted...
"Is this van for sale??"
To say I was mortified is putting it mildly.
What a cheek.
If only they knew what the RV has been through in the last two and a bit weeks.....
Anyway they were sent on there way with a flee in their ear and I can only hope they are not going to stalk me all the way up to John O Groats.

Neil arrived last night and was launched into the deep end, having to errect a brand new tent while being eaten alive by midgees and the odd spot of rain to deal with.
I think we coped well and soon managed to join the others in the pub for a small diet coke.
A very wet night, but glad to see the sun out this morning.
Now at Evanton, Bettyhill Hotel tomorrow night and I will get my hands on my smallest boy for the first time in three weeks, cant wait to see him.
He will be piping the cyclists over the line on Saturday.
The end is near, I will admit to a small lump in my throat as I drove up the road today when I saw a road sign for John O Groats.....
See Ya
Shaz
xxxx

Wednesday, 10 June 2009

Day 14 Wednesday

Another 71 miles bites the dust! Fantastic scenery today and fast cycling. A couple of bad but short hill climbs otherwise all ok. Now at Fort Augustus and we've been joined by Neil for the final three days. Big hill start tomorrow....

Weather Report from Benderloch

Its a gorgeous sunny day, a couple of little white fluffy clouds in the sky, but nothing to speak of.
We hear its a rainy dreech day back home.....
Heading for Fort Augustus tonight and meeting with Neil.
These final days are flying by, and my road map tells the story of the journey really well....page 1 and I'm now on page 128.
Last nights meal was most uneventful, but very nice, and we all retired to the RV to listen to the Sheila Duthie megamix......
Everyone soon had bleeding ears and retired to bed.....
Not quite as bad as the Leonard Cohen CD Gordon brought with him for me to listen too "for a change"......god give me strength

I'm joking Sheila, I have loved the CD's. "Up LEJOG" turned heads as I drove through the wee winding lanes of Somerset leaving Glastonbury......."There is nothing like a dame"...at volume....window down LARGE RV!!!
And pensive LEJOG.....is really...."you better find yourself quick"
I get the message!!
Looking forward to another sunny day, just me and my RV
See Ya
Shaz
xxx

Tuesday, 9 June 2009

Day 13 Tuesday

A great 71 mile day with the whole team. Beautiful run beside a glass calm Loch Eck in the morning and swift progress to lunch in an Italian cafe in Inveraray. Next up an 8 mile climb, tea at the Cruachan Power Station and a final push to Connel and the campsite here at Benderloch. Susan and Collette did brilliantly all day and went way beyond any distance they had done previously - like the rest of us, they just have to do it all again tomorrow! Sharon has pre-booked dinner and the campsite is fairly midge free - so none of the fun of last night....