30/09/2011

Day 30 Kirkcudbright to Carlisle

Today's journey was cut short in Carlisle due to the Tax running out on Billy (our van) and we need to be close to a decent town to renew it.

Apart from that it was another stormy wet day.

The day was planed to be a 129 miles from Kirkcudbright to Whitehaven and as mentioned above ended as a 94 mile day in Carlisle. It started with gale force winds but as the day went on got better until there was eve some sunshine around.

My journey took me from sandy beaches to historic villages and even when the sun came out had the opportunity to pose by a very famous well (that I only came across by accident) where Robert Burns, the famous Scottish poet must have written a poem.

Sadly today marked the day that our journey through both Northern Ireland and Scotland has ended and we are on our way to Wales and then conclude the English coast line. We both really loved our Scottish leg of this expedition and will definitely revisit many parts frequently.

So we're slightly behind (35 miles) but am still at a respectable 2484 miles in 30 days and tomorrow is the start of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

   

28/09/2012

Day 28 Cairnryan to Kirkcudbright

After getting on the ferry we had a fried breakfast and coffee and admired the calm Irish sea all the way back to Cairnryan.

As today was by birthday, Tricia and I thought as a treat to myself we should do a short run and because we were still well on schedule it was only 50 miles to Kirkcudbright where we were supposed to be by today.

                                                                                          It was a very pretty ride and also a fast one and only too 3 hours to get to 45miles. I took a few snaps and had to cover up a couple of times for rain busts but all was well.

We ended the day just outside Kirkcudbright on a well found viewpoint with sheep and cattle not far from our sights and a most beautiful view as we ate dinner and went to sleep.

 Today we reached £1000 and I want to thank everyone who have donated so far for all your generous help have given ONE women the opportunity to change her life FOREVER. Everyone who receives help from the Haven walks away a different person and that is the reason why we are doing this expedition.

Rest day tomorrow then on we go. See you soon.

2390 miles in 28 days.

27/09/2012

Day 27 Strabane to Belfast

After a good but late night's sleeping we got up and knew what laid ahead. The weather forecast was'nt good and we took to the road as soon as we could.

After this fun and games photo we set off to face horrid weather and many, many hills. In fact, a constant supply of hills, not great big long ones, just constant small drops and rises which slowly kills your legs.

There were two things that really stood out to me on this day, one being how all the police stations looked like fortresses and secondly and not for the faint hatred, I saw no road kills on my journey through Northern Ireland. I know it might be bad taste to talk about it but in England it is mostly squirrels ans fox's, in Scotland, Deer and hedgehogs but here in Ireland.....nothing?

The lack of sleep two nights before and the long tiring cycling form yesterday combined with the bad weather from today was wearing me thin

After leaving Strabane I cycled to Kesh then weaved my way to Newcastle where my energy dropped to zero and the day started to become increasingly harder. I just wanted to fall down, anywhere, and sleep. I couldn't care about eating, just sleep. But knowing that we where almost done was quite rewarding.

We drove from Belfast to Larne to stay the night in a caravan site close to the Ferry terminal as not to miss the ferry over.

The day completed to Belfast brought the total to 169 miles and a combined distance of 2345 miles in 27 days. The day was done, Northern Ireland was done and I was done.

26/09/2012

Day 26 Larne to Strabane

The day started very early, 02.45am to be exact, to be in time for the ferry that leaves at 04.00am for Larne. I don't know if it was nerves for missing the ferry or just excitement to go to Northern Ireland but I had very little sleep.

The ferry ride over took two hours and was very rough, Tricia felt seasick and it was announced by the captain that the weather was very bad. We arrived and composed ourselves before we started the day. It was a big day for cycling, estimated at 120 miles.

   Fighting gale force winds from the very start was not the way I thought I wanted to see Ireland but due to deadlines had to press on regardless of the bad weather.


As I got used to the harsh winds and spells of rain I started to think Northern Ireland is quite an enchanted little Island, and it was only until I crossed the sign that said entering the district of Moyle that I noticed peculiar markings on the metal boards.

And it was only on closer inspection I could see the bullet holes and unsuccessful shotgun rounds that was fired at the sign that I thought, uhm, that's the Northern Ireland I heard about.

Despite these old relics of bad times the people were very friendly, helpful and kind and Tricia and I both really liked the feeling of the place. The weather improved and all was well but the lack of sleep got my energy levels low.

I cycled up the coast to Ballycastle then, on to Strabane where we found refuge for the night in the driveway of a farm who kindly offered us the spot and a £10 (Irish note) donation for good measures.

The day ended up to be 129 miles and including the 26 miles from Girvan to Cairnryan the total stands at 2176 miles.

25/09/2012

Day 25

This was meant to be from Girvan to Strabane, but again the plans have changed. Due to our very tight budget I was originally going over to Northern Ireland by myself as a return ticket for a cycle and one adult is £60 and a return for a van and two adults is over £300.

But because we are a team and have endured so much together already, and I wasn't implying just this expedition also, it felt wrong to even consider otherwise. So we approached the ferry terminal at Cairnrayn and asked if there was any concession for charity work and explained our situation.

The clerk wrote down a number on a piece of paper and said to contact Mr John McColm at P&O Ferries, and so Patricia did. He asked us to provide more information on our expedition and the Haven. We sent him links to all the sites we have including the Haven's webpage and explained our journey and reasons for doing it.

 By the way this was round 12:00 this morning. We sat around all day wondering what was it to be and around 16:00 we still had no reply from Mr McColm. By this time our spirits dropped and Tricia decided to send one last e-mail of desperation at 16:50. % minutes later Mr McColm phoned and assured us of a spot on the ferry for a return van and two adults for just a £100, he also said that he will e-mail the reference number and to be at the terminal at 04:00am.

5 minutes later we had an e-mail come through from Mr Arthur Murphy stating our reference number and an even better deal at £95.

 We took this last photo for the day to have an early night for an early morning and a long day tomorrow.

Thank you to P&O Ferries for your generous and kind reduction on our return ferry fares.

24/09/2012

Day 24 Irvine to Girvan

A nice and easy day with a projected 39 miles, the weather was good for a run and I felt optimistic about the day.

However not too long into the day the nice fresh and cloudy day turned wet, wet and more wet! As I made my way towards the pit stop I had the brilliant idea of cutting through a golf course and got lost in it. After about 45min's I made it to some sort of road, not the one I was looking for but it worked.

You wouldn't say from the photo that I just got lost, would you?

                                                                                                                           The rain kept falling and every now and then I would stop and test the skies for sunshine but no luck!

I couldn't take more or better photo's today as I didn't want to do my camera in and also cause of the rain couldn't run wit my Haven T shirt showing so at the end of my run in Girvan too this photo to show you my shirt.

The face is because of the rain.

The run (with getting lost) was slightly more than expected at 42 miles, so this brings the combined distance covered over 24 days to 2021 miles.

Tomorrow it is going over to Northern Ireland for a couple of days so won't be blogging till I get back. Thank all for your comments and motivation.

23/09/2012

Day 23 Fort William to Irvine

                                              A kiss from my mascot's!

We had a great rest as it were, and by rest I mean, visiting a campsite, cleaning everything, my bike, Billy our van, our laundry and having a proper shower. It felt good and we're ready for another week of sadomasochism.

It was a great day for cycling and as we were making our way a bit differently towards the same place the mileage also changed. Originally the days cycling would've taken us from Lochggillphead to Irvine which is 74 miles but today took us from just outside Fort William to Irvine which was much further, in fact 130 miles.

I have included these two photo's so you can see the deterioration of my energy as the day went on, from standing to sitting...

Again it was mountains, this time not as bare, rugged, and menacing as the mountains from last week. These were more spaced, green, soft but huge. I also found myself speeding through pine forests at high speed and almost eating the aroma as I whizzed by, it was truly glorious.

So at the end of day 23 and we're back in business and on track, tomorrow it's a relatively short run from Irvine to Girvan and then later on to Northern Ireland...?

Last picture of the day and bringing the total to 1979 miles.

Thank you kindly to all who donates to freely, we wish you all the very best.

  

21/09/2012

Day 21 Strathcaron to Fort William

Because I didn't finish my running day yesterday I had to make up the 47 miles first before I could do the cycling planned for the day. So starting from Strathcarron I made my way along Loch Carron towards Skye Bridge, then a quick visit to the Isle of Skye and on to the ferry to Mallaig where I will continue the day by cycling onwards.

These were some places I made my way through!

Originally the cycle day was to be from Mallaig to Lochggillphead but because the cost of ferry rides and our shrinking budget we had to revise the journey, and decided to go for Fort William instead and then make our way down via the mainland.

Making it 100 miles from Strathcarron to Fort William and putting me somewhat behind despite my best efforts to maintain the target.

The sunset then the rest.

I was toying with the idea of pushing on wards on our day off to make up the mileage, but know with a good day's rest and plenty to eat and drink we both will feel better and could achieve more in the new week.

This brings the total to 1849 miles in 21 days, also almost in the middle of our expedition and were loving every bit of the journey.

It is hard and we both am pushing ourselves to the max, it is a good feeling to know that your alive. Now some rest!

20/09/2012

Day 20 Loch Maree to Applecross

 

With a good night's rest, I felt about 30% better, but knowing that I still had a long way to make up kept prodding me in the back of my mind.

Again it was mountains but I had to get back on track, after all this was meant to be my running day from Applecross.  After finally making Applecross 50 miles later, I wanted to do at least the first leg of running before the day was done, and I didn't have long as it took me over 6 hours to get this far.

The reason why I wanted to do this run was that it was the most challenging run I will face on this trip and I wanted it badly! Running over Bealach Na Ba or also known as "The pass of the Cattle" is one of Scotland's most notoriously treacherous roads with its steep winding narrow road leading up to 2053ft within 6 miles then down for another 6 miles. As this photo would suggest:

The next two photo's is the pre and post summit shot's:

I must admit that despite being 40 miles behind schedule, having cycled 50 miles through mountains then run up a mountain to summit at 2053ft and having your head where eagles fly, somehow put things into perspective.

We found a lovely quiet spot to sleep, eat and chat about the stunning surroundings before it all starts again!

This would bring the combined distance covered to 1749 miles in 20 days and going.

  

19/09/2012

(Seems we're back in civilization as it's the first time we have reception in 3 days)

Day 19 Ullapool to Loch Maree

Originally it was meant to be Applecross, but due to the extreme mountain pass cycling yesterday I only made it to Loch Maree.

As you can tell from the photo (first thing in the morning), I was drained from the 94 mile of mountain cycling and had hardly any energy to start the day, let alone to do 118 miles.

Today's cycling was less of short steep inclines but of more soul destroying long uphill's. Today was the most mentally taxing day I have had so far.

It was beautiful but the fatigue killed all the joy. The first 25 miles was the toughest, having nearly no energy with already rain falling and my legs feeling very, very heavy. Just before my pit stop with Tricia one last outburst of rain, which felt like someone just emptied 2million tons of ice cold fridge water on my head. I was destroyed.

Thankfully as I stopped for lunch and a coffee I felt like packing up for the day, but Tricia got me going again by knowing just what to say at the right time and on I went.

As the day went on my energy levels went down again, at mile 60 my calf's gave out, at mile 63 my quads gave in, at mile 65 my glutes started working erratically, at mile 67 my forearms and hands went numb, at mile 69 I started having mile hallucination's and at mile 70 I called it a day.   

We spent an early night at Loch Maree, ate a lot and had a 10 hour sleep to continue again first thing in the morning!

18/09/2012

Day 18 Durness to Ullapool

This day I call; Mountains, Loch's and making peace with rain.

With a lovely start to the day, wet and wild!

I had no idea what the day had in store for us, the journey through Scotland just kept getting better and when you think it can't possibly get any better, it does.

These are just a few photo's of hundreds taken today. I can't say how lucky I feel to be among these great beauty. The ride between Unapool and Ullapool via the coastal path is most defiantly the most stunning ride that I have ever done on a bike. Don't get me wrong, it was also the hardest ride I have done to this point, with many very steep hills, with gradients ranging from 8% to 25% and elevations that jumps from 250ft to 600ft within 20mins of riding.

The day ended up being 94 miles of the most breathtaking scenery we both had ever seen or so closely experienced, one last picture just outside Ullapool before the day is done.  

And the End.

This brings the total to 1659 miles in 18 days.