OK, so it didn't snow, there were no hailstones, even the volcanic ash kept away.  But it WAS windy, and the climb really did touch one in five at times....

But I DID IT!  And, so far, I've raised almost £500 for Macmillan Cancer Support.  Maybe we could still reach the target above?

For those of you interested, the stats were these:

I'll be 50 later this year

I lost 12 pounds during three months of training

Saturday's circuit started and finished at Shieldaig in Wester Ross, northern Scotland

It lasted 43 miles and climbed a total of 6,500 feet

My time for the whole circuit was 3 hours 56 minutes

The climb of the Bealach na Ba - Britain's steepest road climb - rose from sea-level to 2,054 feet in less than seven miles(see profile in My Photos)

My time for the climb was 1 hour

But the MOST IMPORTANT stat is the figure above. If you haven't already dontated, please stick in a few quid now.  Look on it as cash in lieu of having to buy me a 50th birthday pressie...

If you have already donated, then click on the My Video link above to hear my personal thanks....

I decided on Macmillan Cancer Support because I'm currently living in Auchmithie, aka The Village of the Damned, where quite a few of my elderly neighbours have recently either died from or been stricken with the disease.  I try to be a good neighbour by visiting them for a cheery chat, but I often feel useless in the face of their despair. 

That's why I have the greatest admiration for the Macmillan nurses who do that kind of thing on a daily basis.  Cancer is part of their everyday life.  Each day, they have to confront pain, grief, anger, tears.  And they have to do it with a beaming, positive disposition.

So please give what you can to support their efforts.

Now for the science bit.....

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.