"A THOUSAND MILES FOR A THOUSAND SMILES"

The end of the road!

Firstly a big thanks to all of you who took an interest in my trip through helping, sponsorship, providing accomodation, updating the blog, I will update the news since shortly! Okay, so I think I've worked out how to edit this! A huge thank you to you all for your help and efforts in making the trip so worthwhile, the total keeps on nudging up and with the help of my Dad's fundraising in his local pub we're up to around £3700 which is a great effort which I'm delighted with. I've had my photos from the trip developed and I am now making great efforts to get them uploaded on here(ie, get someone else to do it as my skills aren't too flash in that department!) I hope you all got my thank you e-mail after I finished, if I have missed any of you out my apologies and please let me know so that I can send it to you and you can bask in my praise filled words. So, until the next challenge or the next time I see you, a very happy new year to you all and much love. Gavin

Gavin

Day 14 (Friday 4th January)
The last day was as arduous as yesterday. It was a very difficult 22 miles through gale force winds (~officially, according to the Met Office). So again it was a struggle through strong head winds, heavy rain and freezing temperatures. Still, Gavin finished the journey late morning. He was only able to take a few quick photos due to the conditions. He did however receive a certificate to commemorate his Land’s End to John o’Croats achievement. Those who awarded it were incredulous that a certificate would be given out so early in the year. They couldn’t believe that someone would be “deranged” enough to attempt it in the middle of winter.   …To those people, I say, “Believe it! ~Meet Gavin Webster!”
B.R.

Day 13
The ‘amazing-terrain’ theme aside, the weather was the story today. The weather took a big turn suddenly, once Gavin turned out eastwards, from the top of the north coast. The driving sleet and snow meant Gavin had to get his head down (...to swear and shout a bit!..) and just keep going. He drove through the “fierce head winds” at an painfully slow speed. It was dark when his bicycle lights failed, since the journey was taking so long. Gavin sought assistance from a stranger in a deserted street. The man, Chris, rode to his home and returned with new batteries!…and he also then gave a donation to the fund. [Gavin is also grateful to the kind man in the shop in Betty Hill.] In spite of the impossible conditions Gavin managed to travel (an amazing) 82 miles to Thurson.
B.R.

Day 12
Gavin spent the morning searching Inverness for a bicycle store, open on this Scottish bank holiday. He managed to repair his wheel in the fourth (and last!) store. The late start didn’t matter as it was only an “easy 50 miles” to Bonar Bridge.  Gavin travelled an indirect route, which he again found to be stunning, to stay at a B & B owned the parents of his friend Kate’s. He relished his time with Robert, Day and a dog called Pigeon. [Gavin wishes to thank them all for their hospitality.]
B.R.

Day 11 (New Year's Day)
It was a 66 miles trip along the Caledonian Canal to Inverness. Again, the scenery was amazing especially by the lochs ~no sighting was witnessed at Loch Ness though. However, early on, a spoke broke on the bicycle and the wheel buckled. This made most of Gavin’s journey today slow.
B.R.

Day 10 (New Year's Eve)
Ed and Gavin parted ways today. Gavin travelled alone through the unspoilt beauty of Scotland. He cycled along Loch Lomond and then over the hills by Glentoe. The desolate environment meant that Gavin witnessed much wildlife, including two giant stags running alongside him. In spite of the cold weather, Gavin arrived in Fort William, 82 miles later, in high spirits. Hogmanay was extolled by a “table for one” at the local Indian restaurant! Still, Gavin managed to intrude on another couple’s romantic evening! The three them (~the couple and the gooseberry!) later went for drinks in the pub. [Gavin wishes to thank Steve and Charlotte for their company and donation.]
B.R.

Day 9
Today was “long, hard, wet, cold…very cold”. In fact the temperature prevented Ed and Gavin from stopping even for a five minute rest. After nearly twelve hours of cycling, they covered the 90 miles to Alexandria, past Glasgow. (Despite his positive outlook, I sense that today has been Gavin’s worst day so far.) They stayed in a friendly bed and breakfast. [Gavin wishes to thank the owner and the family he met for their kind donations.]
B.R.

Day 8
The equipment in the drying room was not turned on overnight. So Ed and Gavin started the day in wet clothes…which was apt given the torrential thunderstorms throughout the day. Apparently breakfast was served by some very pretty women and staying at the youth hostel became a serious option! But alas our boys dug deep, demonstrated more of their resolve and managed to leave….albeit much later than planned! They travelled around 90 miles and crossed the England–Scotland border!! Given their late start and the big photo-shoot on the border (one picture!), they arrived in Dumfries quiet late. (In keeping with this food diary….they then ate Italian food!)
B.R.

Day 7
Gavin decided to take full opportunity of the all-you-can-eat breakfast…although I doubt whether filling a plastic bag with fruit, pastry and muffins is in the spirit of the offer! During the ride to Kendal, Gavin learnt much off Ed (~apparently changing gears efficiently is a skill! (..yawn!)) The weather and the ride were pleasant. The 82 mile trip was broken up with a fish and chips lunch, which was “golden” (~this blog is all about food and hills!..). They spent the night in a youth hostel in Kendal.
B.R.

Day 6
The “short hop” to Liverpool (55miles!) called for a leisurely pace. Gavin had time for fine dining at the Little Chef (~apparently the ‘The Olympic Breakfast’ is a misnomer!) Gavin met his friend and work colleague, Ed Hyde, in Liverpool. Ed is a serious cyclist and plans to join Gavin for a few days. Both spent the evening at the theatre, watching Gavin’s housemate, Annabelle, perform in a play. They enjoyed the play and had a wonderful time afterwards with Annabelle’s friends and family. [Gavin extends his thanks to Annabelle’s mother for the banana cake.] 
B.R.

Day 5 (Boxing Day)
Rejuvenated after a day of rest (and with a fixed bike), Gavin travelled over 100 miles to Shrewsbury! He was helped by beautiful weather and the scenery of the route. He enjoyed crossing the Severn Bridge, travelling along various rivers and through the countryside bordering Wales. Gavin spent his first two hours in Shrewsbury wandering the streets looking for somewhere to stay!
B.R.

Day 4 (Christmas Day)
Santa didn’t give Gavin a new bike for Christmas (~he’s not been a good boy this year). So instead Gavin spent Christmas morning mending his existing bike! Other than that, he spent a jolly day with his father, Jack, in a posh restaurant overlooking the River Avon.
B.R.

Day 3 (Christmas Eve)
Gavin found the first half of the day relatively pleasant…the route was all flat! However things changed in the second half! He was “mugged round every corner” by the endless hills. (The highlands of Scotland will prove interesting!) Still, he managed 81 miles and spent the evening in a Youth Hostel in Bristol. While out for food, Gavin came across some of Bristol’s Christmas revellers! An incident involving a boozy lout and a two-footed football tackle nearly ended Gav’s fundraising effort prematurely!
B.R.

Day 2
Gavin used the literature available to him and chose the “less hilly route” for this stretch of the trip. When I spoke to him, he kept complaining just how hilly it was!! lol. I believe, they call this irony…or a very funny practical joke. Still, he got his head down, kept going and managed to travel 85 miles to Exeter. He spent the night with a random woman who he met off the internet (~not for the first time, I’m sure!) The site, couchsurfing.com, connects travellers and hospitable people in the community. He was very grateful to be in the warmth and was looking forward to eating!
B.R.

Day 1 (Saturday 22nd December)
Gavin woke up at Glencree House, Penzance ~the ladies there gave him free accommodation in support of his fundraising effort. [He extends his thanks to them.]  After spending the morning sightseeing ~he was far too excited that the Menack Theatre has the sea for its backdrop~ Gavin began at 10.45am!! The official start of his Land’s End to John o’Croats journey has been documented…by CNN, BBC and Fox News…and some random tourist who took a photo. Gavin ended the day in Golent, though not before getting lost and being redirected by the friendly locals. (I’m sure it’s unwise to be adding unnecessary miles to the trip!) The youth hostel was full and so a bed-and-breakfast begrudgingly put him up for the night ~making it very clear on numerous occasions that it was out-of-season and he was a burden! Gavin covered 65 miles on the first day! He has only ever once covered this sort of distance before!
B.R.

Dec 21st...

I'm setting off on the drive down to Cornwall this afternoon so just a quick update to say a big, heartfelt thank you to everyone who has sponsored me and/or taken the time to have a look at my webpage.

I'll be updating this as often as possible along the way so that you can follow my progress online if you feel the urge to get away from the Queens speech, snoring relatives or the dreaded turkey curry on boxing day.

My phone number is 07823 335579 so please call or send messages as I'll be keen to hear human voices during my time in the wilderness!

Happy Christmas one and all and see you in the new year!