Day 18 -Applecross to Mallaig

Wow, what else can I say for this day. It will be a running day and like day 17 the hardest part will be the beginning. Starting 5am in Applecross my journey continue towards ever South along ancient paths as demonstrated from the onset of the day, even before sunrise I will be challenged by natures sheer size and persistence.

Extremely isolated, Applecross was only accessible by boat until the early 20th century, and for many years after that the only road access was across one of Scotland's most notoriously treacherous roads, the Bealach na Ba ('Pass of the cattle'), which crosses the peninsula and reaches a maximum height of 2053ft (626m).

Completing this section of the day will most defiantly feel like a huge victory but I'm only hoping that I will have enough reserves left to complete the remaining 62 miles of this 67 mile running day. I will be making my way West for the first 20 miles or so before I can bear South towards Mallaig. My journey taking me along the edge of Loch Carron, Inner Sound, Loch Alsh and finally crossing the Sound of Sleat by ferry.

Just looking on my maps and research my journey fills my body with childlike anticipation and the thrill of experiencing the awe inspiring beauty of Scotland feels unreal. I do feel exceedingly lucky to be in a position not only to be of help to women who struggles with breast cancer and the lasting emotional effects of treatments, but also to have a chance to feel what Britain consist of on the most natural,primitive and base level of existence.

Learn more about The Haven, the charity that helps women deal with the the affects of Breast Cancer by visiting: http://www.thehaven.org.uk/   
  

Day 17 Ullapool to Applecross

The region surrounding Ullapool is dominated by rugged mountains and will be the start of my next 118 mile cycling leg of this expedition. I wish I had some time to really experience the majestic beauty and power of An Teallach but will have to come back to it at a later date.

I will meet my steepest and highest climb early after setting of on this day and within 20 miles reach the maximum height of 1109ft. After this exhausting start the rest of the journey will seem like a down hill, but with many smaller and breathtaking climbs. The total ascent for this day is around 5971ft and descent round 5945ft.

I will be making my way South towards Applecross, weaving to and from the coast and past Loch's  and ancient mountains. On my journey I will pass places such as Dundonnell, Laide, Drumchork, Tournaig, Londubh, Poolewe, Auchtercairn, Charlestown, Kerrysdale, Annat, Balgy, Sheildaig, Inverbain, Ardheslaig and finally end in Applecross along the more modern coastal route. All these villages mentioned are very tiny, ancient and remote the perfect place to clear ones mind and focus on the gift of life.

There are many advances in cancer treatments, but what we found in our experience is the lack of information sharing, explanations and aftercare. I am hoping to raise more awareness on these     fundamental topics, hence my plea for support in this journey.

I have included the link of this days journey plan to have a closer look at what is planned: http://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_1673352.html

Also to help and support my efforts you may make a donation by visiting: http://www.justgiving.com/AroundTheUKin50Days

Or for mare information on what and how I will be doing visit: http://www.aroundtheukin50days.com/ 

Day 16 Scourie to Ullapool

Day 16 will be another exceptionally breathtaking and beautiful day. Being surrounded by mountains and dwarfed by the sheer size of nature and all its glory, my journey will sandwich me between the North Sea and the Scottish Highlands.

To be honest, I have no idea what to expect besides what I have been looking at in satellite images, reading books and looking at pictures. One of my dreams coming over to the United Kingdom was to experience the Scottish Highlands. And after nearly ten years my dream could come true if I make it that far uninjured.

This will be a cycling day and also my second day that I will be making my way South down the United Kingdom's Coast. Needless to say, despite all the stunning beauty by which I will be surrounded by all day, this could prove to be a monster to complete. With a total ascent of 5394ft, descent of 5440ft there will be a constant flow of periodically tough hills. A maximum height of 463ft can be expected and a minimum height of 10ft possible.

Along this stretch of my expedition there is not a lot of villages expected and only the company of Loch's  wilderness and sky. It is perhaps the most free and solitary leg of this entire expedition only passing Unapool, Drumbeg, Clashnessie, Stoer, Clachtoll and a handful other villages along this 65 mile journey.

As you may have noticed that this will be the shortest distance covered by cycle on this expedition and obvious a direct result of the geography of the area.  

Day 15 Bettyhill to Scourie

Both these villages if you look at your map are very tiny and seemingly insignificant. The reason that I chose these two to stop over is purely for my love of the natural beauty of and the tranquility that comes with it.

This will be a running day again and a hard but beautiful one, following the northern coast of Britain for 67 miles towards the west. It will be a day of going up and coming down, with a total ascent of 4022ft and slightly more of a descent of 4144ft. Which means with 728ft maximum height and for the first time -3ft minimum height. This link will give you a better idea of my day planned for this day: http://gb.mapometer.com/running/route_1673334.html

Finishing day 15 would represent a third of the United Kingdom completed by the most primitive and also the most enjoyably scenic method of running.

After such a long time preparing for this expedition, planning, looking for sponsors, looking for allies, hoping for donations, every footstep forward will seem like and amazing victory. Having never done anything as elaborate as this, the fear of not completing this expedition always lurk in the back of my mind.

I guess the same is relevant to all the women who goes through Breast Cancer. It is a seemingly overwhelming task set out before them, having to deal with quick successions of consultations, explanations, examinations, surgery, treatments, more treatments not knowing exactly what is happening and your mind still trying to make sense of it all.

All I can say to anyone who is going through Breast Cancer is to hold on, persevere, be optimistic, don't focus on the rest of your life and all that will or have changed. In the beginning just take each day as each day. Every small battle won, amounts to the war being won in the end.

For more information on help with dealing with Breast Cancer and learning more about coping even as a partner visit The Haven's website @ http://www.thehaven.org.uk/

You can also visit my webpage to keep up to date with information on my expedition and articles and news on Breast Cancer developments in the world @ http://www.aroundtheukin50days.com/
And if you want to make a donation you may visit my just giving account @ http://www.justgiving.com/AroundTheUKin50Days

Day 14 Dornoch to Bettyhill

Dornoch, where I will be starting this day from boasts with a very sad yet ancient Cathedral. Dornoch Cathedral was built in the in the 13th century in the reign of King Alexander ll and burnt down during local feuding in 1570. The sad bit started with the full repairs amounting to one of the most drastic over-restorations of any important Scottish medieval building early in the 19th century.

I take a particular interest in spiritual dwellings and will explore and elaborate more on this topic when I am on my expedition

This is a very hard day of riding. With 130 miles of weaving in and out of monstrous hills, negotiating North Sea winds and generally just having a tough cycle. I'm expecting a combined ascent of 5577ft with slightly less of a descent of 5404ft. Reaching maximum height of 748ft will feel pretty cold, hard and I can expect wet.

With plain sailing and nothing holding me back my energy consumption is expected to be round 5900 - 6500 calories. A lot of food to fill the gap this day will leave. Still pushing north as from the start of my expedition till I reach John o'Groats then for the first time I will head West past the most northern point in mainland Britain, Dunnet Head, but still have the North Sea to my right.
http://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_1673321.html

Again I will pass breathtaking villages, mountains, valleys, ocean views and places such as Golspie, Helmsdale, Wick, Castletown, Thurso and ending in Bettyhill.

I am aiming to have a whole archive of photo's so keep looking and also visit my website @   http://www.aroundtheukin50days.com/ to see more information on my expedition and also on the charity The Haven for who I am fundraising and raise awareness.      

Day 13- Buckie to Dornoch

Starting this 118 mile journey after a rest day should be a very scenic and inspiring leg of my journey. I have  included this link so you could have a closer look at my day ahead: http://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_1673287.html

Again being a cycling day and a relatively flat ride for the day I will be passing ancient and historical towns along my journey which I can admit fills me with excitement and anticipation. Passing places such as Lossiemouth, Burghead, Narin, Inverness, Fortrose, Cromarty, Tain and end in Dornoch.

I am looking forward particularly to pass through Inverness not only for it's beauty but also to experience the feeling to be around hundreds of years worth of battles, losses, victories and end results.

Again I want to appeal to all who visits this blog to help raise £100 000 to support women who as we speak am battling with Breast Cancer. Together we can give these women a light at the end of their tunnel. Visit my http://www.justgiving.com/AroundTheUKin50Days  page to make a donation.

Also to view my web page go to http://www.aroundtheukin50days.com/ or follow me on twitter @AroundTheUKin50

Together we can make a real difference!!!

Day 12 - Peterhead to Buckie

This will be another running day with a respectable 66 miles to the flag pole. To this point I would have run a combined 254 miles within the four days of running.

Leaving the lovely town of Peterhead, sitting on the easternmost point of mainland Scotland I will make my way further northwards towards the wilderness, a feeling that is nearly unmatched in all my expectations.

Although the combined ascent is only 2871ft, descent 2828ft there will be more than enough time to test what I am made of as the maximum of 584ft and some heavy hills is expected.
After making it the first 20 miles to Fraserburgh the climb will start and become challenging.

Continuing along the coast towards Buckie I will pass places such as Macduff, the only place in the United Kingdom where deep-water wooden fishing boats are still built.

I will also be passing towns such as Portsoy, Cullen, Ianstown and finally end in Buckie where I will have a scheduled rest day to feed up and enjoy the Scottish delights.