Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Chernobyl Children's Lifeline 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.

That was Justgiving's blurb. The message from me is that I'll be very happy when I've reached Orkney. I'd be doubly happy if you could help me to meet my target. I'll try to update this page as I go, if I can get access to internet cafes en route. If not I'll write something when I arrive.

My first decision will be where to start from. I can either leave from Paris, or from right out on the western edge of the Ile de France - I've got friends in both. Leaving from the city would be more direct, but could be a bit of a nightmare on fast roads. From the Ile de France would be at least 30 miles longer, though, I think.

My total journey will cover about 950 miles, and will involve two ferry crossings.

Toppy's blog (This is updated by Karl on the basis of texts from Dad and I offer no apologies for my weak attempts at humour.)

Day 1 (Monday 13th July). Set off 10.30; cycled 42 miles to Gisors; took a while to get out of the vast Paris suburbs.   Mechanical difficulties already!  Noticed a clicking noise on my left pedal.  Following the flight over, I put pedal back on wrong thread and destroyed half the thread on the crankshaft.  I put it back on straight but it still now squeaks and clicks (like a mouse on the pull - KJ?).  It's a holiday in France so no chance of repair.

Day 2 (Tue 14th). Disaster strikes!.  What I feared has happened - the rest of the thread wore out and I pulled off the pedal with my hand.  I'd done 10 miles and I've just walked 6 to Gournay en Bray.  It's 12.30 and I'm waiting for the tourist office to open. (I tried to offer some encouragement telling him that at least he already has a tale to tell.  And it didn't happen in the rain at Drumochter.  From the photo I received, which I have uploaded, of him pointing to his crankshaft, he's at least still smiling.  Don't read that the wrong way. - KJ)

Day 3 (Wed 15th).  On the road again.  Still in foreign parts and so has my bike.  I'm cycling in fair weather with a following wind.  I've stopped for lunch in Forges les Eaux, having covered 13 miles in 1 1/2 hours.  Can you text me Marin cycle suppliers in the Brighton area ... ?

Will send a longer text update tomorrow when I'm in England.  The cycle repair guy was really funny.

Day 4 (Thu 16th). Waiting in Brighton to meet my old pal Douglas Hill.  I'm staying with them overnight in Shoreham-on-Sea.  Unwashed and had only two hours sleep on the 5am ferry.  Met other cyclists on the boat: a Canadian couple who started in Budapest in May and a very nice guy from Eastbourne called Robert who's done 300 miles from Belgium towing a trailer.  Getting the proper parts fixed on my bike in Brighton.  Following Karl's email update a friend from my Cricketers days (pub in Farncombe: not saying Dad was a regular but they have a Blue Plaque above the door recording his time there - KJ) is cycling down to meet me and will accompany me to Woking or Egham tomorrow.  Carrying round some very stinky cheese for my hosts (or is it just those unwashed cycling socks?? - KJ).

Day 5 (Fri 17th). In a Travelodge in Staines.  Have done 64 miles.  Used the Downs Link bridle path to Bramley (Surrey, near Godalming) where Keith joined me and accompanied me the 20 odd miles here.  It almost all off-road so I've got a filthy bike and feet. (KJ: I remarked that the Staines Travelodge was quite a contrast to Paris and Dad replied "I'm really glad to be here.  It's peed down all day and I've just had a heavenly shower." Also, I've uploaded some photos that Keith kindly emailed to me.)

Day 6 (Sat 18th). In Bedford (Staines, Bedford - ooh, the sights you have seen, places you have been - KJ).  Passed through Windsor, Beaconsfield, Berkhamstead, Dunstable and some small places.  I've done 63 miles.  Had some really steep hills which slowed me down for a few hours.  Realised I was passing through the Chilterns when I checked my map! Got to the top of a couple and saw signs for High Fields Farm and Hilltop Farm.  Approaching Dunstable I saw flatter countryside opening out and whizzed into Bedford, except when I passed through a village called AmptHILL. Almost didn't get anywhere to stay tonight as loads of people are here for a serious triathlon.  A guy in the bar earlier said that we Scots thought England was flat, and forgot about things like the Chilterns.

Day 7 (Sun 19th).  KJ: Just received some photos from Dad's friend Douglas, with whom he stayed on the south coast.  Safe to say that was one encounter with a Hill that Dad found altogether more agreeable.  Douglas says: "

"Dear Karl. This is just to let you know we enjoyed Toppy’s company on day 4 of his epic trip, and are gradually working our way through the prodigiously smelly cheese.   I’ve attached the only photos we took, and you might like to add one of them with a caption like “ God, this trip is hard work”.  That’s just a suggestion with no intention to usurp your Humorous Scriptwriter role." Consider it done Douglas and thanks for the photos.

 

Had remarked to Keith about his photo of the Fullers pub, that I could murder a pint of (Fullers) London Pride.  Received an amusing reply with a reference to the Scots living on Tenants Super!  Only after breakfast Keith.  And we'll have no national stereotyping on this blog.  (How did you manage to get your cycling shorts over your Morris Dancing bells by the way?)

Anyway, on with the show.  Dad has had his best day yet in terms of distance covered: 75 miles.  He says "75 miles today. I'm in Sleaford, 17 miles south of Lincoln.  Started in Bedford.  Going was flat except for the last 15 miles or so when the landscape became a bit more corrugated.  Had a horrible stretch when I crossed the A1 and took the A15 into Peterborough.  Turned into a very fast dual carriageway with slip roads which I had to cross."

Day 8 (Mon 20th).  Lunch in Scunthorpe.  Aiming for York today via Goole.  [Later.] I'm in York.  Quite pleased to have got this far from the coast in four days.  Underestimated the distance as my maps don't show distances for B roads.  I've done 97 miles today, albeit on mainly flat roads with the wind at about 8 o'clock if I'm facing 12.  I think it's the furthest I've ecer cycled in one day.  Newcastle tomorrow, staying with my brother Michael.  I wasn't sure if I would end a day's cycling within reach of the city, but it's about 70 miles, which is a reasonable day's cycling.

Day 9 (Tue 21st). Arrived in Newcastle!  Had a nice night and a great meal of soup and mince and tatties with my brother Michael and his wife Pat.  It was especially delicious as I'm always ravenous at the moment.  After the meal I took my top off and we went for a few pints in the Big Market (OK, I just made that bit up - KJ.)  Another long trip - 91 miles from York via Thirsk, Northallerton, Darlington and Chester-le-Street.  Rainy today and roads very busy.  Lots of hills after Darlintgon.  Michael wanted me to put the bike in his car and drive me to his from the city centre.  I refused as I didn't want to compromise my mission.  Didn't realise he lives five miles from the centre in the second-highest area in Newcastle.  Looked at your blog.  Very funny keep it up (KJ: phew!).  Very touched by the donations and the comments. 

Day 10 (Wed 22nd).  Scotland.  The old country.  (See photo.)  Hard slog from Newcastle to get to the high point in the photo, called Carter Bar.  I'm in Jedburgh at the moment.  Might do another 15...  Now that I've crossed the border I'm looking forward to a can of Tenants Super (only joking Keith - KJ.)  [Later.]  I'm in Lauder now; arrived at 6.30.  have done 75 miles today.  Didn't think I'd get so many miles in after my earlier slog to the border.

Day 11 (Thu 23rd).  In Perth - have done 76 miles to get here today.  The lady in teh hotel said the road to Edinburgh would be good with only 'a wee hill' outside Lauder.  Five miles later did a two and a half mile slog through the Lammermuir Hills.  Nice view at the top of the Firth of Forth and Arthur's Seat in the distance.  Dropped down into Musselburgh and went past Leith to the Forth road bridge.  Really hilly coming into Queensferry the on the other side past Kelty.  Wouldn't have made it to Perth if it had stayed like that but improved after Kinross and I had the most amazing long descent through Glenfarg.

Day 12 (Fri 24th).  In Kingussie.  Done 77 miles in 12 and a half hours.Cycle track all the way, which makes distances hard to gauge.  Gears playing up: jumping, engaging late.  The chain kept coming off at an extremely hilly stage before Pitlochry.  Found a bike shop there where the guys were great and fixed it and put on new brake pads while I went for lunch.  Earlier I either had my waterproof stolen in Dunkeld or I left it somewhere during a map-check stop.  Of course it rained heavily as soon as I set off again.  Bought a new one at the bike shop.  Long, hard, slow slog up to Drumochter Pass (altitude 470 metres) in sharp showers and a head wind.  Long descent into Kingussie.  Got some sweets (snoepjes) from a Dutch family stopped for a pee break (KJ: I hope you waited until they had finished).

KJ: just noticed from the Orcadian website that Dad (and I!) have merited a mention in that august journal.  I've pasted it below in full.

"Paris to Orkney challenge reaches the East Midlands

An Orcadian man who is pedalling from Paris to Orkney for charity is well on his way to the finish line.

 

Thorfinn Johnston, originally from Stromness, set off on July 13, hoping to raise £1,000 for the Chernobyl Children's Lifeline charity.

This week, he was powering on through the East Midlands, and on at least one occasion, reported cycling 75 miles in one day.

The 63-year-old father of one is relaying his story through his son, Karl, who is posting updates on the web page, www.justgiving.com/thorfinnjohnston."

 

 

 

 

 

 

It seems odd to see Dad described as a father of one given that I am 40.  The Orcadian must have got these details from Dad as I emailed them his mobile number; I notice he didn't let on that he's a grandfather of two as well!

 

It's Thorfinn/Toppy now finishing the blog.  I arrived in Stromness at 8.30 on Monday 27th July to be met by old friends Jack and Helen Muir and Clinton and Evelyn Rendall.   Also there was a photographer from the Orkney Today newspaper who made me ride several times up and down the ferry ramp to get a good picture.

Left Kingussie on the 25th.  Had a smooth trip as far as Aviemore.  It was cold in the Highlands so I put on my fleece under my waterproof, and took it off later as it warmed up.  After Aviemore the route joined the Speyside Way and turned into a rough track until Boat of Garten.  Got to Carrbridge where the road started to get hilly again and I was pleased eventually to come upon a sign which said Slochd Summit.  Summit signs are always good to see as it means you've got a nice downhill afterwards.  Downhill I duly went until I reached Tomatin where I stopped for lunch in a pub courtyard.  Preparing to leave, I found that I no longer had my fleece.  In my consternation I also set off without my helmet and had to come back for it.  After that the route took me in a great loop around Balloch and Culloden, eventually dropping down into Inverness.  Headed straight for the tourist office to try to get some accommodation further north where I could stay the night.  The very helpful girl tried her best but could find nothing so I decided to stay in Inverness (always nice because we got married there).  But there was nothing there either!  She kept trying and eventually found me a top bunk in a private hostel for £12.   

On Sunday 26th I set off in heavy rain feeling cold without my fleece, crossing the Kessock Bridge.  The rain eventually stopped and anyway I warmed up from my efforts.  Still following the National Cycle Route I continued until I reached Tain where I stopped for lunch.  This was another steep stretch especially on a great series of hills coming out of Dingwall.  The advantage of the NCRs is that they're usually almost traffic-free.  The disadvantage is that the by-ways and tracks that they usually follow tend to lead up into the hills.  After Tain I felt the A9 would be quiet enough for me to join it. I'd come the 85 miles from Perth without ever being on it.  Then with the wind more or less behind me I made good progress through Golspie to Brora where I stopped for the night.  62 miles covered today.

Monday 27th was my home run.  Found my bike for the first time had a flat tyre at the back.  Pumped it up and set off hoping for the best.  A few hills on the 11 miles to Helmsdale, but not too bad.  Then the first big challenge that I'd been expecting the whole trip - the long curving climb up from the village.  I stopped 7 times on the way up which is my technique when dealing with big hills; identify a tree or a sign or whatever 100 metres or so ahead, get to it or beyond it, stop and rest for a minute and then set off again.  In this way no hill seems insurmountainable.  Reached Berriedale Braes where I stopped 10 times.  Then followed a lovely swoop into Dunbeath.  Reached Latheron and stopped for lunch, only to realise I should have stopped at Latheronwheel a mile or so back - no food!  After sheltering from a heavy blustery shower I joined the Latheron Road, expecting a nice smooth ride into Thurso.  My false memory of a flat road was soon shattered by a series of dour braes and gradients all along the 17-mile route.  Give me Berriedale any time.  It was here that I noticed my tyre was going flat again.  Pumped it up in the friendly company of clegs.  It was a great feeling to turn onto the last 6-mile stretch into Thurso.  I first saw the town sitting in a pool of sunlight while I was in the middle of a squally shower.

Swooped down that lovely hill into Scrabster and the ferry pier, coasting along the flat very happy to know that I'd made it.  Even had time to pop into Popeye's Bar for a celebratory pint before boarding.

At this point I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me along the way.  The people known and unknown to me who have given so generously and encouraged me so much.  I was very much touched by all your kind words and I will try to contact you all individually when I get back to Glasgow.

There are some people I'd like to thank specifically.  I really hope I haven't missed anybody out.  First there were Bob and Pauline who gave me a good holiday in France before I left to set me up for my trip.  Then my friends John and Barbara Oja who kindly put me up in Paris the night before I left despite having a 2-week-old baby, Elias.  Then there were Madame Rousseau, her husband Nicolas and their son Gregoire from Le Cygne hotel in Gournay en Bray who really helped me out in finding a bike repairer and for good measure driving me 55km to Rouen to see the Bastille Day fireworks. Then my old schoolfriend Douglas Hill and his wife Lynda, who I stayed with and shared a convivial evening with in Shoreham-by-sea.  Then my old friend, Keith Hannah, from my Godalming days, who suggested the Downs Link Way up to Surrey and then actually escorted me off-road through Guildford and Woking as far as Staines.  And my brother Michael and his wife Pat with whom I stayed in Newcastle.  Pat kindly did my washing and Michael, noticing my bike was filthy, cleaned it.  The guys in the bike shop in Pitlochry (http://www.escape-route.biz/) who fixed my gears and my brake pads while I had lunch were also great. 

In Orkney I'd like to thank Ella Henderson in Stromness for putting up with us with her usual warm and spontaneous hospitality.  Clinton and Evelyn Rendall have also been incredibly generous in letting us stay with them in Kirkwall and letting us have their car for 2 weeks.  Finally Jack and Helen Muir also for having us in Kirkwall, for transporting us around, and Helen for taking me for various press interviews.

Finally, finally to my peedie 40-year-old boy, Karl (Max Clifford) for keeping this blog up to date with his usual twinkle-in-the-eye humour.  Look forward to seeing you, Eleanor, and yes, my beautiful grandchildren Robbie and Emily when you arrive in Orkney.

Miranda knows how I feel about her contribution.

Sorry if that sounds like an Oscars speech.

There are articles in The Orcadian and Orkney Today this week.  Google them and you'll find them.  I've also been interviewed on BBC Radio Orkney.  That goes out tomorrow, Thursday, at 7.30 to 8.00 BST and will stay online for 24 hours at www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland/news/orkney/.

 

The donations amounting to £105 were from Fiona Wilson, Ingirid Morrison, Ella Henderson, Richard, Ella's brother-in-law, Eileen Cooper, Dorothy Rendall, Roy Drever and Bryan and Anne Findlay.