Preston (Whalley) to Inverness reflections

Dear Friends

Thank you for reading this blog and for being part of our journey in a very real way by showing an interest and encouraging us and by extension, encouraging the work in Nepal.

We got home just after midnight on day 9.

As you will probably recall we are doing the Lands End to John O Groats journey over three years because we have promised funding to the Nepal Development Association (Happy Home for marginalised and at risk children) over three years so that they can carry on their wonderful work and have time to plan for the next phases of their development.

Do we enjoy it? Well we enjoy the challenge: we enjoy the sunny days but we don’t enjoy having to get to places come what may. Stage 1 two years ago was miserable but this year was so much better as we had sunny days and visited people and places on the way.

What is truly humbling is the interest shown by so many people. That starts with those of you reading this blog; but it also includes the people living with disabilities who have approached us with gifts because they “want to help someone”; and the lady who gave us some money today because “ I was homeless and someone helped me”; and many more besides.

Susan’s Highlights

What a week. I said more than once today….. can this really be Inverness? I’m going to view the UK map in quite a new way.

My highlights…. (Couldn’t manage just one!) Well, firstly there’s the company of my trusty pilot and getting to see my family and then the bike breaking at just the right time! and now us thankfully returning home safely. The weather has been very kind, allowing us to enjoy days of sunshine through Cumbria and the Highlands….. that will remain a very special memory for me.

My lowlight….. it’s got to be the midges! I got very grumpy with them….. not so much in the middle of the night when I quite enjoyed the challenge of luring them to the torchlight and making sure they never bit me (or anyone else) ever again. No, they beat me when, having got out the tent in the morning, they formed a layer on the top of my tea and chased us away from what was a perfect camping spot by the river! I’ve been so touched by support in messages and donations and thank everyone who has joined us in this challenging adventure

Stephen’s Highlights

My highlights (Stephen) were to realise just how good is is to share a challenge with a trusty stoker (as Susan is called on the tandem) and also to see just how many people there are who want to “love their neighbour” and who express that by responding so positively to our ride. And if the people we have met are anything to go by then we live in a smashing country!!

And visiting the site of the world porridge championships (that I am sure I could win if I entered) was of course a very special moment for me.

Finally. A very very final Thank you again for your interest and significant support. One more leg to go!!

God bless

Susan and Stephen