To all who were following our little trip sorry for the lack of postings after Day 7. The dial-up network on our Lap Top could not load our comments or photos so here goes I will try and summerise what has happened since:-
Day 8 and we headed for John O’Groats this is what we were all looking forward to, not just for the scenery but also this is where we feel that we are now on our way home. We left Inverness early to allow us to make a little detour over to Thurso. It didn’t disapoint the roads, Mountains with Snow on them, the valleys of Scotland were absolutly Awesome got to to go back but this time on a proper Bike. About 12 hours and 260 miles later we were back in Inverness tired but what a day.
The following day it was down from Inverness along Loch Ness (Visitors Center Closed got there too early before it opened) Fort William, Loch Lomand, through Glasgow and onto Kilmarnock for our overnight stay. Not our biggest milage day about 250miles but because we kept stopping what felt like every mile or so to take photos just emphasises the magnificent scenery we were travelling through. While we sat having food and a pint that evening we planned our route for the following day Kilmarnock to Bangor this was not going to fun.
310 miles Kilmarnock to Bangor nearly all “A” Roads including Motorways, Dual Carriageways, Towns and City’s including the Mersey Tunnel. The plus point of todays trip was making it back home to Wales visiting my Sister in Colwyn Bay where she had made us some Hot Pies (Well I think it was Keith her Husband who had actually cooked them as she was drinking the Wine). Getting to our hotel in Bangor a quick shower and change and out for some food and a well deserved pint. £6 Taxi ride into Bangor, got dropped off at a pub which was recomended for its food and it was closed 15 min walk later we found the Town Center. Again all closed only 3 pubs open none doing food finaly found an Indian Restaurant for a third night on this trip. Our last night OUT on the TOWN was disaster so much for coming home to Wales.
THE LAST DAY.
As we load the bikes up for the last time that morning Gary and Myself just looked at the bikes and realised what we had just put them through. They have run for at least 10hours every day for 10 days, been ridden full throttle nearly all the way round, up mountains, motorways and roads that they are not ment to be on, they had one little oil change in Aberdeen and NOTHING has gone wrong they have started first kick every time (Just like Nick does in the mornings) we have just taken them for granted Total Respect to the Mighty Honda C90.
The journey home reminded us of Scotland, We take for granted how lucky we are to have such a beautiful country ourselves but now we cant wait to get home. Again the normal early start ment we were having some chips in Aberaeron by dinnertime.
Arrived back in the Crossraods Office by about 3.00pm and what a welcome all the family’s had turned out and the staff from the offices came to greet us. After some photos and a cup of tea and biscuits we left for home tired but happy.
Gary had another supprise when he got back to Mynyddygarreg the whole village and the Mayor of Kidwelly had put on a party for him.
A Week On.
Its taken us all about a week to catch up on sleep none of us seem to have the energy to do anything, could be just that all that adrenalin has now worn off. Anyway the result of our little trip is that the money is still coming in from various places so we still cant disclose the exact milage but anyone around the 2550mile mark is close and at the moment we have 3 winners of the Balls but are still waiting for a few more forms to come back in so we will announce the winners soon.
So far we have raised about £5000 and with Richard in “The Stag” at Five Roads wanting to hold a quiz night the Golf Society planning a Golf Day and Mynyddygarreg Rugby Club holding a Talent Night we hope to raise even more. The down side of this is that it will take some time to organise these events over the next few months so there will be a delay in actualy donating the funds but that could be a small price to pay if more can be raised.
For now we would just like to Thank everybody who supported us and donated to our little event there are so many we would like to mention but it would be endless. We will post an update on the final mileage winners ASAP and on the amount we have finally raised.
Thanks Again to you All
Gary, Barrie, Nick.
31/05/2008 at 05:57 pm
Garry, Barrie and Nick - Well done on the completed “slow way round”. I was the solo cyclist (John O’Groats to Land’s End) who met you on Sat. 17th May between Fort William and Glencoe. I could have done with a tow up Glencoe but you whizzed on past! I got to Land’s End within my 10 day schedule and just before the really horrid weather started for the Bank Holiday w/e. Really like the idea of your trip around the UK and hope to convince my wife to do it on our BMW R850R, which should be a bit faster and easier than a push bike. Well done on the trip.
Regards, Jonathan