Thanks for visiting our fundraising page.

We have arrived - very very very pleased to be here and to be able to shower and have clean clothes (thanks Mum) - we managed to clear one or two cafes with our "aroma" at lunch stops! Bottoms gave up hurting ages ago, legs have muscles in places we never thought possible - stomachs still as large as we ensured we fed and "watered" well en route. A BIG thankyou to everyone who has sponsored us - it made the tough bits easier to bear and I know that Swins and Smiles are extremenly touched and grateful to you all. Will send a more detailed account of our trip and what we have raised out to you all when we are back in the UK.

WE ARE NEARLY THERE - ONLY 60K TO GO TILL WE REACH VALENCIA AND THEN ITS A FERRY TRIP AND A LEISURELY CYCLE FROM PALMA MAJORCA TO PUERTO ANDRATZ. THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE KINDLY SPONSORED US AND PLEASE KEEP DONATING IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE SO ALREADY.

We are now underway and 10 days into the trip and 1050km under our belts.  Only another 800km to go and those little hills called the Pyrennes! Thank you for all the support so far.  Please keep sponsoring us. 

Jonny Swann and I, in association with Newbury COIN club, thought it would be "a good idea" to cycle through France and Spain to Palma Mallorca. For those (women) thinking this is just an excuse for two forty year old men to shirk their domestic duties then, you may have a point, however, some good will come of it if you are kind enough to sponsor us. Rest assured your donation will go directly to Swings and Smiles.  

Jonny (who purely coincidentally is a fine wine expert) and I will be "investing" our own money in the vineyards and hostelries en route! The ride starts on Tuesday June 16th and will finish (we hope) on or before July 07 - 1,200 miles later.......

We have received a great deal of advice from various friends which is much appreciated. Two of particular note:-

1. Don't share the vaseline pot - and if you do - have a rule of only one "dip" between handwashings!

2. Chose a saddle with a appropriate "hole" in it - your Wives could depend on it.............

Our chosen charity Swings and Smiles, was started by Sian Cook so that children like Amy, Sian's daughter, could have a place to play specifically designed for their needs.  We will be running a blog on the Swings and Smiles web site (www.swingsandsmiles.co.uk) - so for all of you with a fear of fat men in padded lycra - look away now!

And finally - a message for my Mum. I have followed your advice of always taking a Jonny with me when away from home - hope this is what you meant??!! Not quite sure how Jonny will respond to the instructions you gave about how to use him but will give it a try.....................

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Swings and Smiles gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor us now!