• All of those people waiting to sponsor me if I completed the challenge can do so now
•  I arrived in Compostela on the 6th June.
• I have cycled 994 miles and adding up the heights climbed amounts to climbing the equivalent of Everest twice !

This challenge of cycling the Pilgrim Way from Le Puy in France to Compostela in Spain had been in my mind for some time but I couldn't find a companion to do it with me.  Judith, my wife, was showing complete disinterest in cycling with full panniers over rough terrain, up and down hills, climbing mountain passes, coping with all types of weather, and then staying in hostel dormitories at the end of each day, which is probably why she 'enrolled' her cousin Derek to do it with me.

So at 77 years of age, the challenge became a reality.  We flew out to Lyon on the 13th May and started cycling on the 14th May from Le Puy.

We had no back-up vehicle with us and therefore carried everything with us to cover all eventualities, to cope with any type of weather, breakdown of bikes, and our own personal needs including towel, sleeping bag and ear plugs for use in the hostels.  Yes, we needed ear plugs to deafen the snoring - it was hard enough to cycle 40 - 50 miles, day after day, for 24 days so we needed a good night's sleep!

At the time when I was considering sponsorship for this enormous challenge a planning application was submitted by EACH to build a hospice in a lovely countryside setting in Framingham Earl not far from our home.  This resulted in me finding out more about the charity and I was amazed to discover the many different ways of care and support given to life-threatened children, young people and their families both at the hospice and in their own homes, and what a difference it makes to their lives. I was greatly encouraged and inspired to carry on cycling by all the donations being given, especially when struggling up hills in the pouring rain or scorching hot sun, when I thought about how much the money will mean to EACH and the families they care for.

All those people waiting to sponsor me if I completed the challenge can do so now, I arrived in Compostela on the 6th June. Please do look at the EACH website where  you will see what a difference it will make to the lives of the life threatened children and their families. 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

If you prefer you can make out a cheque payable to EACH and send it to Judith Sykes, 5 St. Anne's Road, Framingham Earl, Norwich NR14 7TH.

Thank you.