it's done.

Full update to follow. . .

Day 8 is complete

So amazingly enough i've made to the end of day 8. 3 days ago this seemed like a distant dream. Today's 96.5 miles consisted of 91 miles of pure pleasure and 5.5 miles of absolute torture mainly in the rain. This was as a direct result of my mis-management of pain relief. I managed to get to somewhere in the middle of nowhere (crask inn) for the most amazing night. The place is just a step back in time. Think of your oldest relative's house, subtract 100 years and you'd be about right. Amazing place run by the most odd ball couple, but who've made the near end of our trip complete. So tomorrow is the big push for jog. 84 miles and i think it will be tough again as the weather is variable. Heavy rain, heavy rain showers and them heavy rain again. So nothing much different to the other scotland days. This has been the most amazing adventure with so many stories and things to tell, which will get written up in the blog after i've had time to digest them all. Til then, l, h and x to you all and speak tomorrow. Also re-read previous blogs and forgot to say that despite being a spurs fan mr will townsend was an absolute star meeting us after kendal by the side of the road complete with water, jelly babies (staple diet of the past 8 days, along with lucozade energy drinks, flap jack and anything with more calories in it than a fried mars bar! ) and some kendal mint cake. Sorry j, all gone now! He also took a photo of us approaching him, when i first thought he was a traffic cop. The flashes were the give away, there was no way we would be going that quickly. I've attached the picture when i could still cycle, unaided! I'll report after the day.

Day 7 is Complete

Well i never thought i'd get this far when i got up this morning and had to come down the stairs sideways. It is testament to today's sponsors who i'd like to personally thank. Mr i.buprofen and dr. T. Ubeygrip. But most importantly pete and al who had to put up with a pathetically slow speed. This wouldn't normally be too bad, but this is scotland and it rains. . . . A lot. And it is cold when it rains. So whilst i don't notice the cold cos i'm drugged up to the eyeballs the other to are shaking like leaves when i finally catch them up. Anyway, it is the ultimate lesson in what a team can achieve. Tomorrow is going to be equally as tough as the weather worsens. So i'll be pushing harder to try and keep the boys from hypothermia. Today's scenery was truly awesome and i think this helped a bit. Hoping for more of the same tomorrow. Only downside for me is i'm carrying roughly the same amount of medical supplies as a well stocked ambulance, so weight is an issue. I might drop the saline drip, portable ecg and defrib at lunchtime and see from there. Staying at loch ness tonight, so i'm following my youngest daughter's advice and keeping the window shut for fear of the monster, although with 7 day old socks on the radiator and al laying some serious cable i think the danger lurks within! L, h and x to you all. Ash. Ps. Stats today were 106 miles at 12.5! Pps. Michael, the freeze cream for the muscle, worked a treat. Pete is asleep at the mo and i've covered his lips with it, should be fun seeing him try and drink his tea in the morning! Ppps. All the messages help so much. Please text away.

day 6 complete

What a view to welcome us into inveraray and most welcome it was as well. The day started well leaving sanquhar on time with no issues. Travelling through some fantastic scenery and having covered good distance early on. Although it was into a bit of a head wind so it did take its toll, but them again no surprises there as we've been into the wind most of the way. The only happy cyclist we've seen have been the jogle john o'groats to land's end guys who've been sat upright what appears to be flying along at 20 mph with no effort whilst we've been struggling to maintain 12 mph with head down. They give a cheery smile as we pass each other, often met by a grunt from the back of our little convoy. Anyway, about 35 miles in there was an uncomfortable feeling up the inside of my left thigh. No i'd not yet myself, but the muscle had torn. I couldn't believe it and still can't. 2 anti inflam held it off for a bit and then lunch. All seemed better and the first 10 after went well, although little load on. But then as we got within 30 of inveraray things started getting a bit tender and this time the pain killers didn't help as much. Sat in restaurant tonight with ice pack on most of the evening. Looks like i'm going to have to go for the full tour de france bit and get completely drugged up. Very nervous about tomorrow. More to follow then. L, h and x to all.

a scottish border crossing

And yes, another outdoor loo. They are very convenient placed for cyclists. Bad morning for me as i an struggling with a quad tear, but pete's pain killers are keeping me going. It is mile by mile from here on. :-( pete and al are doing fine and keeping spirits high. More later tonight if 3g allows. . . .

and so we stop complaining about the sun! But day 5 is complete

Cold and wet is the name of the game. See, whilst your all sat in the office or warm homes, we are out in the rain. It actually got really cold today with me shivering so much that my front wheel was visibly shaking on a downhill. The last 25 miles were into the teeth of a scottish wind which also took our damp bodies down a degree or 2. As i text this my left thumb still isn't working properly! The accom is superb tonight with mary doll providing a fantastic steak pie which like most food put in front of me these days is taking seconds to consume. So off to sleep now, although i don't know how but al has persuaded pete to have an earlier breakfast 7am due to distance to cover, on condition i don't faff around. Negotiations were tough but we'll see how things are tomorrow morning. My money is on fraught! L, h and x.

welcome to scotland

We road like kings into scotland in the sun and within 15 yards we were greeted with a good soaking. . . Honestly. More updates tonight. Love, hugs and kisses to everyone and thanks for all the kind messages, please keep 'em coming. They do raise spirits. Also our just giving total has gone past 1500 so thanks again from all of us.