Day 18
Miles completed today 55
Total and Final Miles 1227
Time for Adam to have one final puncture outside the coffee shop before we were on our way on the last 20 Miles. We arrived to a wonderful reception from Martin and Toby with champagne, fellow Lejoggers from the US and Brighton and general excitement from the other tourists.
John O’Groats was nicer than I expected - a little less tacky than Lands End - and so many friendly face and positive comments - even one final donation to our fundraising!
We then decided to cycle to Duncansby Lighthouse so we could be at the most north easterly point in mainland UK. A lovely way to round off the route before dumping our bikes with the courier to bring home.
1. It has reminded me that we live in a truely amazing country - in the space of 1200 miles we have experienced so many varied landscapes, so much excillerating scenery and so many kind people, we should be more proud of the UK
2. Adam has been a delightful cycling companion - from the glorious revolution through Greek myths to Donald Trump, Brexit, the World Cup, Tour de France and beyond he has kept me endlessly entertained and has been so tenacious in keeping going and being positive
3. The mental tiredness should not be underestimated- from avoiding potholes to co-existing happily with other motorists - it all takes a lot of concentration. Along with organising stops, planning the route and having the right stuff in the right place ... a lot of this would go away in a bigger organised group but overall I love the way we have done it - the freedom to choose our own route, go at our own pace and meet up with so many friends and family has been totally brilliant
4. I can’t overstate the help and encouragement that social media has given us - from Facebook to this blog to texts - the instant and so positive responses have given us more impetus than I can possibly describe. Thanks to all and the bonus of raising so much money for Pancreatic Cancer Research is even more of a reward
So what next ..? Adam wants to do a trip to France - we shall see but above all I just hope I have given him some memories and a sense of achievement that will stay with him for the rest of his life ... he told me at the end he had enjoyed every minute .. that for me is the biggest triumph of all
Thanks to all who have read this far and this really is the end ... farewell from our adventure and I will go to sleep with the sound of Adam playing his Welsh ukulele that was his present from Martin and Toby for finishing!
