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The 'Birds' were back in the saddle and have taking on an even bigger challenge for the Tall Ships Youth Trust. They have cycled approximately 200 miles from their head office in Portsmouth back to the Fishermans Rest in Aveton Gifford, Devon; for a well earned drink and the afformentioned 'Rest' ! The end of the ride was significant as this is also the home of the Capewell family who tragically lost their son and brother Tomas (TJ) at the age of 17, two years ago. TJ was maturing into a well rounded young man who was also a keen and passionate sailor. He was certianly destined to extend these sailing skills further. He had developed this love of sailing locally and had a interest in the Tall Ships. TJ's family are now keen to support the Trust and help other young people to be independent and confident individuals through the time they spend taking on a Tall Ships Challenge as part of a team. The Trust work with children from all backgrounds but also offers challenge grants to disadvantaged children and adapted trips for those with disabilities.  The Tallships Fundraising afternoon, in memory  of Tomas (TJ) Capewell took place at the Fisherman's Rest, Aveton Gifford, on Saturday 3 September with live music from The Old Gaffers, Adam Green, Mark and Larry Alen and Ella Porter. The live music really did make the afternoon special and we would like to thank all who came along to perform. We are so lucky to have so much talent from a small village !! There was plenty of fun for the old and young, including a bouncy castle, coconut shy, a silent auction, raffle, tombola, Balloon race,BBQ, and much more ! Thank you so much to all the extremely generous local businesses who donated amazing prizes (too numerous to thank indirvidually) and also to all the people who came along and supported the event. It was wonderful to see so many faces and we are delighted to announce that the total raised from Saturday's event is £4260.00 .... quite staggering! The  ' Birds On Bikes '  have now compleated their challenge  and here is a quick taster of how it went - - - -  Well the weather was forecast fine, the bags packed and the bikes on board - nothing could go wrong!  Day 1 (Madness and Mechanical Failure). We set off from Portsmouth on the Gosport Ferry, but due to lack of sterling change we missed the 6am ferry and had to catch the 6.15am.  It was 'interesting' seeing the early morning Portsmouth life (one of whom wondered whether we were police officers!!)  - it was a poor start and should have started ringing alarm bells.   Once off the ferry and with the sun rising and the road flat, all was well and progress good, we made the next key crossing on time and hoped that the ferrymans, neighbours brother in law (or at least someone) who had been asked to start the ferry early for us would turn up - we nearly kissed him when he did! . About 2.5 hours into our travels disaster struck - in a very short time we had to cope with a puncture, not being able to get the wheel back on once removed, and brake failure as a consequence of the wheel repair.  That must be it we thought, having solved most of those problems and getting back on our bikes 3/4 hour later!  But oh no - a catastrophic noise came from Claire's bike and our hearts sank as we looked at an almost severed chain.  But luckily we had a particularly good mechanic in Claire and a helpful passing cyclist (Simon). Thanks to Simon and Rock n' Road cycles in Southampton Tel: 02380 221022 (who very generously did not charge us for their service) a temporary repair was achieved and we were on our way (only one brake down).  We had lost approximately two hours so peddled as fast as our little legs could to get us to our plan 'B' stop of Dorchester at approximately 7pm.   We had a good nights rest thanks to our hosts Maria and Dean in Charmouth and were treated to a delicious meal at their Pub -  The George Inn, The Street, Charmouth, Tel : 01297 560280.  Thanks so much!.  Unfortunately we were psychologically damaged by the backwards drive we had to do the next morning.  Day 2 (Tears and Tantrums) with supportive comments from Athenia (our ever present support driver, cook, medical supplier, bike shop searcher, and general all round looker afterer) we groaned our way into the fog barely sitting on the saddles which had become blade like over night!  The first big down hill was an eye opener and confirmed that one brake on a bike will not suffice when descending at approximately 40 mph.  Having survived and with the steep ups and downs of Dorset ahead of us another bike shop was sought after!  Meantime, the first pain threshold was reached around Chideock Hill and the first tears flowed.  Shortly after the second and third, tears flowed, along with incredulity at how one county could have soooo many almost vertical hills.  Food and ice were supplied/applied, pain relief popped and we continued.  Exmouth is pleasant but it has a lot of migratory birds at this time of year and they had managed to stop the ferry from crossing - so day 2 came to an abrupt halt.  With no spare beds available anywhere there was nothing for it but to cope yet again with a onward drive only to have to come back again the next morning!  Day 3 (pain and perseverance) foggy again! Now there is sore and there is SORE - we were the second of the two!! and for those who are unsure, the Totnes hill goes on for some miles - so before we tackled this we stopped in Totnes for a Hot Chocolate (with cream on top) and a a quick watch of the England V Scotland rugby match!! (Well done England).  We almost forgot we were doing a bike ride!!  Oh the cussing and cursing - short stops were becoming more frequent as the saddles became sharper but then the end was in sight.  Zinging down Aveton Gifford hill was a good return route and it was great to see all who welcomed us home and the tracking Mark had achieved back at base camp!  This is available for all to view at The Fisherman's Rest, Aveton Gifford.   A big thank you to Mark and Athenia, Tall Ships Youth Trust, the Stainton, Wotton and Pearson families, the Taylors, Maria, Dean and family at The George Inn, Charmouth, Rock n' Road Cycles, Soames Cycles, Simon, the 8am Ferryman, Neil - the Tall Ships Skipper we bumped into and everyone else who has supported us along the way.   Note: We will not be cycling in the following places again........... Chideock, Lyme Regis, Sidmouth (most other parts of Dorset) - and up Totnes Hill!!   We are, at this stage close to raising £6K - Thank you to all who have so GENEROUSLY donated - watch this space for the final figure!!   Many thanks Phil,Clare and Sarah aka 'Birds on Bikes'

Birds On Bikes/Tall Ships Fundraiser

Birds On Bikes/Tall Ships Fundraiser

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Donation summary