UPDATE - WE DID IT!
Some miscellaneous statistics. We: took 14 days; pedalled 916 miles; needed 2 new wheels and 2 new pedals (at least PJ did); mended 2 inner tubes; replaced 1 entire tyre; saw 3 dead badgers, 1 eagle and 2 stags - amongst much other wildlife; spent 7 nights camping out; passed a lake called Loch Fitty; EACH carried over 40lbs on the back of our bikes (update: it was actually 60lbs dead weight each); achieved a top speed downhill of 40.7 mph (Devon); pushed bikes 3 miles continuously uphill (Highlands); ate about 140,000 calories between us; drank approx 100 litres of water - plus three bottles of champagne; had near-death experiences on both the first and last days and both ended up suffering from vibration whitefinger. We also met with extraordinary kindness from people in every county - and all three countries - on our route. We neither lost a single solitary pound - and are gutted in consequence.
The story: 2008! That was the year that Caroline Page and Patrick Gillard planned to celebrate their centenary by getting married. But sadly they forgot to book a venue.. Oops So we are rescheduling our 'dream wedding' for a more convenient year, and instead we're cycling from Lands End to John o' Groats to raise money for Epilepsy Action. After all, its a LOT cheaper than a honeymoon :o). "Our vision is to live in a society where everyone understands epilepsy and where attitudes towards the condition are based on fact not fiction." Epilepsy Action
As you may know, my teenage daughter Em has epilepsy for some time and has been extraordinarily unwell over the last couple of years. She - and the rest of us - have been lucky in the huge amount of support we've had from the medical profession (in Ipswich, Woodbridge, Cambridge, London, Surrey and even Australia!!!), from the wonderful Farlingaye School, and from our many friends and family. Although - like many others worldwide - it doesn't look as if Em will ever be 'cured', there is every hope that she will be able to lead a very ordinary life when they finally find the right combination of treatments. In the meantime, the better informed people are, the more 'normal' Em's life and the lives of thousands of others can be! Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Epilepsy Action will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
So go on, why not sponsor us now!
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