Evening Ride

We went for a training ride on Sunday with a loaded trailer (12 lb of potatoes), big lesson learned - don't go for a ride half an hour after eating a huge pasty! During the ride we found some teething troubles following the service, and so we went out again this evening after we had both returned from work. Just a short 20 mile circuit before supper!

The gears are now changing to order, not when they feel it is time, and Joules' has a new saddle that appears to be more comfortable(less rubbing), we know you're all interested in the state of her assets! Richard is more comfortable with his new riding position (which is taking some getting used to...).

Thank goodness for Mint-Ease when we get home to settle our muscles!

All Snuggly & Warm

Those fabulously generous Norwegians have pulled out all the stops to make sure that if nothing else, we are going to be warm on this trip!

Brynje, the company that made thermals for Amundsen's South Pole expedition, have donated two of their Superthermo undershirts AND two thermal lined hats! They may just look like string vests, but they keep you so warm Joules even had to take some layers off when we went for a ride on Sunday! A complete first!

Well done Brynje, highly recommended.

The Naked Tandem

No, not us! But it got your attention...

The tandem was collected from Cycle Logic in Helston this morning after it's service. Shane helped us get all set up properly - legs, arms & bottoms all measured to check we are seated comfortably so the story may begin!

We even got a little mirror fitted to Richard's handlebars so he can check behind without alarming Joules!

Richard rode it home & all is well!

Now we just need to load up with all the luggage & kitchen sink (Joules needs something to do on the back, she felt homesick when we had a day out to Liskeard last weekend! via car). Medical bag is well stocked & will go on the rack behind Joules, cameras in a bag in front of Richard, the rest in the trailer.

The daffodil will be fixed in place when the journey commences, so keep knitting girlies! There will be lots of stops along the way to deposit little flowers.

The Route (part 2)

OK, good point Alex. Here is the route:

14th May Arrive Wick, pick up tandem, cycle to John O'Groats & back
15th - Wick to Bettyhill taking in Dunnet Head (most Northerly point)
16th - Bettyhill to Carbisdale Castle youth hostel - look it up, it's amazing!
17th - Carbisdale Castle to Drumnadrochit
18th - Drumnadrochit to Glencoe Youth Hostel
19th - Glencoe to Rowardennan Lodge Youth Hostel via the ferry over Loch Lomond
20th - Rowardennan Lodge to Kilmarnock
21st - Kilmarnock to Kirkpatrick Caravan Park near Gretna
22nd - Kirkpatrick to Kendal
23rd - Kendal to Orrell
24th - Orrell to Shifnal - if we are on schedule & are able we may have a rest day here. There is also a very good tandem shop in Iron Bridge in case we have any problems.
25/26 - Shifnal to Gloucester
26/27 - Gloucester to Taunton via Cheddar Gorge
27/28 - Taunton to Launceston
28/29 - Launceston to Home!
29/30 - Home to Land's End via The Lizard (most Southerly point)

So that's it so far. There have been a couple of minor changes today already, so we'll keep in touch!

The route has been finalised at last! We've had offers of a caravan in Scotland for accommodation and asked on the Marie Curie site if anyone from Scotland down can put us up for a night along the way. Still open to offers!

Trouble with courier at the moment. Now in the capable hands of a very good friend who has offered to pay the carriage. Thank you Advanced Turf Machinery Ltd!

Regarding thighs, backsides and appetites - all growing!

One Month To Go!

It all seems to be rushing towards us at a rate of knots! A huge amount has been acheived, but there is still loads to do...

The lovely people at Brinje have written to us from Norway and offered us two thermal shirts. You look a bit like Onslow in one, but they really keep you toasty!

We have been published! Well, the Helston Advertiser has published an article about what we are doing along with a photo. Huge thanks to them, we expected maybe a few column inches, not nearly half a page! Hopefully some more people will log on and start following us (and donating!)

Today the tandem has gone in for its health check - CycleLogic in Helston are giving it a thorough service so we can be sure it will last the course.

Graffiti Grannys

These illusive knitters are very clever people who have turned their talents to decorating the world around us to make people smile. Look them up on Facebook and see pictures of their latest Yarn Bombing.

Through VERY secret channels they have contacted us and asked us to assist them in their mission. They are currently madly knitting daffodils for us to decorate our route from John O'Groats to Land's End. Here's an example of what they are giving us.

Fiona Lockhart

Fiona is the wonderful lady who gave each of us a massage a week or so ago. It was fabulous!

If any one out there would like an equally fab treatment, these are Fiona's contact details:

01326 569 930
flock@hotmail.co.uk

Thank you again Fiona!

Mint-Ease

You may recognise our Ted from an earlier appearance, we think he's better looking than us!

We had a wonderful letter and package today from Peter Teisen of Teisen Products who make Uddermint. This is the human version and is called Mint Ease (www.mint-ease.co.uk). Blooming marvellous stuff and Mr Teisen has very kindly provided us with samples of the Mint-Ease cream, roll on (NOT for underarms!!!) and their Skin Care for saddle sore areas...! Does he know something we don't?

He also generously donated £25.00. Please look up his web site, these are fabulous products!