
Hello again at last. So much for modern technology; Bill has be unable to update the blog via his laptop and dongle, so we must resort to the old fashioned method of phoning home so I can do it!
Since the last post, the lads have had a great ride. Bill forgot to mention that on Monday morning he was interviewed, by phone, on the BBC Radio Humber breakfast show, and they phoned him again later in the day for an update on the group's progress.
After leaving Frodingham in Yorkshire, they headed north through stunning scenery, bathed in glorious sunshine. Bill had a slight problem with his bike which turned out to be due to the accelerator cable touching a spark plug. 8 hours riding took them 200 miles where they camped 10 miles into Scotland, without any signs of habitation in sight.
Wednesday dawned yet another beautiful day. The night had been somewhat strange in that it didn't get completely dark but had been twilight all night. In the late afternoon they stopped and set up camp just 100 miles from John O'Groats.
Thursday, and guess what. More sunshine. But a cold wind. The 100 miles to John O'Groats was covered by 2pm. Celebratory photos were taken, and then a hotel found for hot baths all round.
Friday. A little overcast. Riding west over the highlands, they had imaged it would be quite desolate, but the scenery was still breath-taking. Heather covered moors, craggy hills, and Aberdeen Angus's watching these strange, noisy beasts disturb their serenity. They followed the A82 along the length of Loch Ness which was as still as a mill pond. Nessy was keeping a low profile. Ben Nevis was the target for the day, and they camped at the foot of it.
Saturday. Caught in a thunderstorm, but dispite some rain, made it the 200+ miles to Carlisle. Had some difficulty finding a campsite and were eventually, and very kindly, offered a field adjacent to Clea Hall Holiday Park, for free. A long day's riding, marking a week in the saddles, called for a beer at the site's clubhouse. To their suprise and delight, the landlord had organised a whip-round, and £44 was handed over for Children in Need. Thank you, Graham and Amanda and the people of Wigton, Cumbria!