I've been thinking of a Big Bike Ride for ages and got challenged by the residents of Stratton House to cycle from Land's End to Bath. "You do it, we"ll match your miles", said Jack (97 years young) throwing down the gauntlet. What could I say ... but Yes!

The money raised will go towards wheelchair-accessible potting shed in a new vegetable garden.  Mary said “I love getting my hands in the soil – I love to dig!”  Peggy agreed,  “I want to do though – I hate watching whilst others do the work!”  “I love to be in the fresh air!” added Edie. 

Sarah, who’s the Community Coordinator, explained that at the moment residents garden in the lounge – with a plastic cloth spread on the carpet to catch the soil.  Everything has to be cleared up, and there is nowhere to leave plants to germinate where people can watch them.  The potting shed will be in a really sunny part of the garden, so it will warm up, and we can sit and work in the sunshine.  We want to grow veg for the kitchen, as well as some flowers, so people are eating more healthily as well as living more healthily! Projects can be started, and then we can come back to them after lunch, that’s amazing!

Stratton have a group of gardening volunteers who are able to help people to get out into the garden, but there is nowhere for them to go once they are out if the wind gets up, or the British weather makes an appearance. 

I moved to my current house because it gave me the chance to have a garden of my own, and to make a veg patch.  Its made such a difference to my life, and I want to be able to share that joy with this fantastic group of people.

I shall be starting out on Thursday 19th April at Land's End, doing a 'gentle' first day ride. I shall post updates and photos on my journey. I plan to arrive in Bath on Tuesday 24th April in time for tea with the residents!

And of course, when I get to Bath, I hope to feel inspired enough to plan a further journey up country - maybe one day getting as far as John O'Groats!

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