Last day and we were all raring to go at 6.30am. Many thanks again to Kim for the use of his wheels. Tony chose to replace his damaged front one for the final leg. We arrived at the lay-by where I had picked them up the night before around 7am and they were soon off. Adding 20 miles to yesterday made this last leg around 100 miles and meant they would be able to finish earlier – a great move. Another dry day with the wind behind them – looking good!
The roads were quiet and the scenery beautiful – the Scottish Highlands at their absolute finest. I popped in to Alness to pick up lunch and overtook them on the way to Brora, our pre agreed breakfast stop. The local postman pointed me in the direction of a florist/coffee shop down a side road a few yards from the main road that we would never have found otherwise. Between us we downed many toasties and much tea and coffee in a great little place full of the scent of flowers - thank you so much too for the donation. A quick loo stop and the guys were off again – they had picked Wick for a later than usual lunch so the last leg could be a short 20 mile blast.
We agreed over the toasties that staying closer to ‘jog’ would give them more time to relax after they had completed their epic journey, so I went to check out the local Marine Hotel. After a bit of negotiating I agreed a rate for dinner and accommodation and checked out the facilities. Martin and Geoff told me not to let their wives think they were having too good a time so the hotel did not have a swimming pool, sauna or Jacuzzi and did not have any trunks left behind by guests that they would be able to borrow if necessary. I also got the number for a sport masseur that was available if necessary later that day.
I met up with my mum Jean and her husband John, who live 20 miles east of Inverness, half way by the very steep Berriedale Braes and we waited for the guys to come past. Mum had made a banner which she waved at them as I took some pictures.
We headed to Wick and found a good spot that John knew of near a hotel that he had stayed in. Although the sun was shining brightly the weather definitely had a nip in the air as we waited. The usual picnic was enhanced by home made Scotch eggs and a fruit cake that mum had brought along and the cold drinks in the cool box were a great bonus.
Off for the last blast!
They reached John O’ Groats at 4pm to great whoops and hollers’ and their fan club of three. We did the obligatory photo session before retiring to the pub to get their ‘end to enders’ paperwork signed and enjoy a well deserved refreshment in the (fairly grotty) bar. It was a bit of an anti climax to a great adventure in this desolate place. We signed the book and noticed that the Chichester 3 had not yet arrived. There were some interesting tales there including a woman who had taken a year to do the journey on bike and a guy who had walked it in 30 days.
No sign of the Chichester 3 on our drive back – it would be great to find out what happened to them so if anyone out there has any information please let us know.
Back at the hotel by 5.30pm there was no time for a massage but Martin, Geoff and Bob enjoyed a quick dip to stretch those tired muscles. The al a carte dinner in the very grand restaurant at 8pm was excellent – Cullen Skink, the most popular starter followed by locally reared beef steaks. Yum. We relaxed in the lounge with our coffees before retiring at around 9.30am.
One more early start tomorrow. The guys are going to drop me at Inverness airport so I can get home in time to spend a few hours with my 11 year old son George and put a bag together for his week long school trip starting on Monday. Thank you so much to our wonderful neighbours Mary and Jim Fullalove who have been taking care of George and Rae, our 9 year old daughter, while we have been away. Thank you too Ambrose and Leah for sharing your bedrooms and making them feel so welcome. We couldn’t have done this trip without your support and will be forever in your debt
It’s been a wonderful adventure for all five of us. The weather has been amazing – not one single drop of rain and much brilliant sunshine. Memories of the Kirkstone Pass, the Durdar Road, Ullswater and Annies tea house at Greystoke in the lake district will be with us forever together with the excellent quality of the Scottish roads and the breathtaking scenery of the Highlands.
Signing off now, watch this space for local press announcements including our visit to the International Arts Festival in Pawlet. I hope to get some coverage back home when we hand the money raised over to the charities that have benefited. If you haven’t already please pass on your promised donations to one of the guys so we can do a final tally up. Tony estimates that it could be as much as £3,000 – wow! and thank you.
Hope you have enjoyed the daily updates – I have enjoyed doing them, Joanne xx
The roads were quiet and the scenery beautiful – the Scottish Highlands at their absolute finest. I popped in to Alness to pick up lunch and overtook them on the way to Brora, our pre agreed breakfast stop. The local postman pointed me in the direction of a florist/coffee shop down a side road a few yards from the main road that we would never have found otherwise. Between us we downed many toasties and much tea and coffee in a great little place full of the scent of flowers - thank you so much too for the donation. A quick loo stop and the guys were off again – they had picked Wick for a later than usual lunch so the last leg could be a short 20 mile blast.
We agreed over the toasties that staying closer to ‘jog’ would give them more time to relax after they had completed their epic journey, so I went to check out the local Marine Hotel. After a bit of negotiating I agreed a rate for dinner and accommodation and checked out the facilities. Martin and Geoff told me not to let their wives think they were having too good a time so the hotel did not have a swimming pool, sauna or Jacuzzi and did not have any trunks left behind by guests that they would be able to borrow if necessary. I also got the number for a sport masseur that was available if necessary later that day.
I met up with my mum Jean and her husband John, who live 20 miles east of Inverness, half way by the very steep Berriedale Braes and we waited for the guys to come past. Mum had made a banner which she waved at them as I took some pictures.
We headed to Wick and found a good spot that John knew of near a hotel that he had stayed in. Although the sun was shining brightly the weather definitely had a nip in the air as we waited. The usual picnic was enhanced by home made Scotch eggs and a fruit cake that mum had brought along and the cold drinks in the cool box were a great bonus.
Off for the last blast!
They reached John O’ Groats at 4pm to great whoops and hollers’ and their fan club of three. We did the obligatory photo session before retiring to the pub to get their ‘end to enders’ paperwork signed and enjoy a well deserved refreshment in the (fairly grotty) bar. It was a bit of an anti climax to a great adventure in this desolate place. We signed the book and noticed that the Chichester 3 had not yet arrived. There were some interesting tales there including a woman who had taken a year to do the journey on bike and a guy who had walked it in 30 days.
No sign of the Chichester 3 on our drive back – it would be great to find out what happened to them so if anyone out there has any information please let us know.
Back at the hotel by 5.30pm there was no time for a massage but Martin, Geoff and Bob enjoyed a quick dip to stretch those tired muscles. The al a carte dinner in the very grand restaurant at 8pm was excellent – Cullen Skink, the most popular starter followed by locally reared beef steaks. Yum. We relaxed in the lounge with our coffees before retiring at around 9.30am.
One more early start tomorrow. The guys are going to drop me at Inverness airport so I can get home in time to spend a few hours with my 11 year old son George and put a bag together for his week long school trip starting on Monday. Thank you so much to our wonderful neighbours Mary and Jim Fullalove who have been taking care of George and Rae, our 9 year old daughter, while we have been away. Thank you too Ambrose and Leah for sharing your bedrooms and making them feel so welcome. We couldn’t have done this trip without your support and will be forever in your debt
It’s been a wonderful adventure for all five of us. The weather has been amazing – not one single drop of rain and much brilliant sunshine. Memories of the Kirkstone Pass, the Durdar Road, Ullswater and Annies tea house at Greystoke in the lake district will be with us forever together with the excellent quality of the Scottish roads and the breathtaking scenery of the Highlands.
Signing off now, watch this space for local press announcements including our visit to the International Arts Festival in Pawlet. I hope to get some coverage back home when we hand the money raised over to the charities that have benefited. If you haven’t already please pass on your promised donations to one of the guys so we can do a final tally up. Tony estimates that it could be as much as £3,000 – wow! and thank you.
Hope you have enjoyed the daily updates – I have enjoyed doing them, Joanne xx
3 comments:
Jo, thanks for a wonderful time..you were a star - geoff
Congratulations one and all. A great achievement.
So what's the next one you are going to tackle? :-)
fantastic effort all 5 of you !!!
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