WE DID IT! :) See below for details of the journey which my mum updated for us! It was brilliant, we met so many kind people who helped us on our way. Thank you to those of you who have sponsored me, those who haven't yet - feel free to do so now! 16 days, happy with that! :)

23rd August - Journey up to Scotland tomorrow, the ride is due to start on Sunday... scary stuff! Feeling quite nervous but also excited. Will use this page to keep you all updated when I can.

Hi, this is Philippa's mum who is going to try and update this page whenever Phil gets in touch! Scary stuff for a technophobe but will do my best. She's gonna get up really early tomorrow so I'm saying goodbye now. Julie

26th. Phil and James left John O'Groats yesterday morning, called at Thurso (Last supermarket for miles!) and stocked up and spent the night at Bettyhill. Today the weather has been brilliant, scenery beautiful and they've done 66 miles, ending at a place called Autlnamain Inn, turns out not to be an inn at all but the people are very hospitable and Phil and James are camped on their front lawn! On to Alness tomorrow then heading for Inverness. Julie

28th. Yesterday cycled down side of Loch Ness, no sign of Nessie, reached Invergarry, making 68 miles in all. Today Glen Coe, 'absolutely beautiful', reached Bridge of Orchy, making 66 miles. Still bubbling with enthusiasm!

31st. Phil rang from Carluke yesterday p.m. having lost James en route somewhere but they met up again and stayed at Abington last night, having completed 66 miles. Didn't like traffic round Glasgow much but now set to enjoy Annan Valley, Solway Firth and Gretna Green today, hoping for fine weather. England here they come!

2/9 Preston tonight, a hostel in order to dry out after the rain! Slight detour yesterday in order to see Rebecca (Phil's stepsister) and family in Portinscale near Keswick, then down the A6 to Ambleside, Kendall, Lancaster etc. Well over 500 miles already, so excellent time, next bit rather busy round Manchester but spirits high and weather improving.

4/9 Forgot to mention that they did 86 miles on Friday, to Penrith, but anyway now they've surpassed themselves - 98 miles yesterday. Plaintive phone call last night - in Shrewsbury, campsite closed, could we help! So we found a campsite down the A49, about 8 miles south and half a mile off the main road, but in the dark and after a hard day's cycling it took them longer than anticipated to find it, we were beginning to wonder, the owners phoned to see if they were coming, P&J phoned in near panic as they couldn't see it but eventually they got there - at 22.45! They were offered a cottage to sleep in by the very kind owners and hopefully they are sleeping in this morning. Amazing.

5/9 Yesterday they 'only' cycled 71 miles and camped near Tintern Abbey, which was 'a bit strange' and today they went over the Severn Bridge, past Bristol and are camped at Woolavington, near Bridgewater - only fifty-something miles today as they were 'a bit tired'! At this rate they'll be finished by the weekend, well ahead of schedule! But not booking the train back just yet, just in case!

7/9 Camped at Wadebridge tonight, only 79 miles from Land's End so planning to get up early tomorrow for final 'push'! Photo promised from Land's End and train back to civilisation booked for Tuesday, allowing a day or two to enjoy the local ambiance!

9/9 Landfall! Or rather Land's End! Puncture in rear tyre on Phil's bike yesterday afternoon meant they would have arrived in the dark, so instead they camped at Hayle, near St. Ives, and reached their objective this morning. Much jubilation, celebration lunch of fish and chips with bottle of wine, book to be signed in nearby hotel and photo shoot promised by the signpost where I (Phil's Mum) had my photo taken about 47 years ago! (Needless to say I did not get there by bike!) Tonight camping at Sennen Cove, then easy day tomorrow to take in the sights and back to Penzance to catch the train on Tuesday.

Well done Philippa and James!

Hello!

Well, I've finally gone crazy and am planning to cycle from John O'Groats to Land's End with my university friend James. The route is around 1000 miles and we are doing it without a support vehicle (heavy panniers - oh no!) and will be camping out most nights.

The good news is that I'm doing the ride for a very worthy cause - Heswall Disabled Children's Holiday Fund. As some of you will know, this is a camp which I volunteer at every summer which caters for a variety of disabled boys. The camp gives the boys a holiday and their families a well-deserved break!

If you feel able to sponsor me, that would be fantastic - every single penny raised will go to Heswall Disabled Children's Holiday Fund and if you are a UK taxpayer, please tick the box for giftaid as this means even more money for the Fund. The annual camp organised by the Heswall Fund is a fantastic experience both for the boys and the helpers and the organisation relies entirely on donations (it costs about £20k to run each year) ... that's why I have chosen them as the charity for this crazy bike ride I have agreed to!

So please sponsor me now!

THANK YOU!

Philippa / Flippa

P.S. If you would rather sponsor me and not use this website for any reason, please email me and I can add you to the paper sponsor form I have!