Day 3 - 21st September

Day 3 a bit delayed because I couldn't get the internet in my hotel room, which was otherwise fine though I was the only guest. I eventually found a phone signal on the beach, so I was able to ring home while watching the kite surfers, but it was a bit cold for blog posting. 3's signal seems to be pretty limited up here, so the 'where am I' thing only works some of the time.

Started out with a great run over the hills from Braemar to Grantown on Spey, passing Balmoral (Police Notice - No Stopping). Even had to drop into first on one hill, and passed couple of ski lifts, but the downhill bits and scenery were superb with hardly any other traffic. As I reached Nairn and headed west to Inverness into the teeth of the gale the rains came down, and I was able to ask the question how good are my waterproof jacket, overtrousers and gloves? The answer is not good enough, I got soaked to the skin and very cold. By the time it had stopped, and I filled up with petrol north of Inverness I found that my fingers wouldn't work properly and I couldn't stop shivering. Fortunately the garage had a cafe (though the fuel was £1.43 a litre). I had egg and chips, a coffee, and a sit in the warm - the only thing wrong was that the hand-drier didn't work so my hands took a long time to warm up.

Managed to stay dry for the long run up the A9 to Dunnet, it follows the coast most of the way so isn't so spectacular, but it is still a very attractive route. Getting close to Dunnet Caithness becomes very flat and windswept (wide open views the lady in the hotel called it), and there are amazing sand dunes towering above the road at Dunnet Beach. I made it out to Dunnet Head (furthest North) for the obligatory photo. It's a great place with views all along the Pentland Firth and across to Orkney, but the wind was howling round my head and I could see a heavy shower rolling in from the west. Before I set off for the hotel two groups of people asked me about the charity (it was worth getting my reflective jacket printed) and one gave me a £2.50 donation - thanks.

Dunnet Head lighthouse - furthest North, looking across to Orkney

One down, three to go

At the hotel I made the unwelcome discovery that the lack of waterproofness also extended to the rubberised bags I had used to pack my clothes in before putting them in the panniers. I spent most of the evening moving gloves, socks and underwear on and off the radiator in my room, but eventually managed to dry everything.

Dunnet Beach, and kite surfer

Distance covered 217.0 miles, the 212.3 miles to Dunnet Head took 6 hr 20 min, including fuel stops and that restorative lunch.

I'll update Day 4 later, I'm off into Fort Augustus to see if I can find anywhere to watch Leigh v Eagles in the play-off semi-final this evening.

Day 2 - 20th September

Arrived in Braemar at about 2.30pm, though my map position is a bit south of that at the moment - it seems 3's 3G writ doesn't run in Braemar. I'm in a pleasant single room at the Braemar Lodge - when I arrived in the village I stopped to consult my phone to confirm where I was going to stay, expecting to be looking for a B&B, but it turned out to be the hotel under whose sign I was parked. 146.7 miles today, in 4hr 23 min, including a couple of petrol, and one coffee, stops.

A good trip from Jedburgh, fortified by a fine breakfast. I managed to navigate onto the Forth Bridge without hitting a motorway (though the A720 is one in all but name), and off it up to Perth, this time threading my way along B roads called things like "Old Perth Road".

The Forth is a spectacular bridge, the first big suspension bridge built in Britain after the war, following the lead set in the USA with a stiff deck suspended from vertical hangers - the Severn and Humber are different, see later posts for more info.

I followed the A93 from Perth, it starts off much like the A68, but a bit less wild and with more mud on the road from tractors. But as you climb into the mountains it gets more exciting. There are signs with a motorbike on top and a bends warning - presumably meant for road safety, but to bikers it means "here comes a good bit". As you get above the trees, and signs appear for ski hire, it gets even better, winding through spectacular scenery with mountains on either side and the river alongside the road. It's a steep 12% climb, which needed 2nd gear at times, and I caught some proper heavy rain approaching Spittal of Glenshee which was close to the summit. As I started downhill the sun came out and the road stretched out it front of me with hardly any other traffic. I swooped down for about 10 miles with only the odd sheep to worry about - brilliant. I didn't worry that my legs were wet and cold.

Since I arrived early I've been able to have a walk round, including a look at the Highland Games field where the Queen goes to watch blokes tossing telegraph poles about and force Prince Philip and Prince Charles to wear kilts. There's a sporran shop in the village, it's definitely tartan and dead animals country (there's a pheasant on a shelf outside my room), but I was able to buy some expensive toothpaste - the tube I brought is running out. However, I'll have to wait to get a new watch battery, it stopped just after I left Perth.

The river in Braemar

Braemar including sporran shop

I'm off to see what the hotel restaurant can offer this evening. I noticed they were laying a fire in the bar, so I may try a wee dram in there later on.

End of Day 1 - 19th September

Arrived in Jedburgh just before 5pm, having set off at 10.30am after filling up with fuel. Filled up again in Darlington, and just made it here with the fuel gauge below the E mark. Total distance covered 199.9 miles. Sunny up to York, then it clouded over and began to get a bit cold, so I put a jumper and my over-trousers on in Darlington. It was damp - drizzle rather than rain - from Hexham to the Scottish border, but then the sun came out again, so when I arrived I was only slightly damp. The scenery around the A68 is spectacular, like the Peak District but bigger. One of the road signs says "Sharp bends, sudden crests" which sums it up, it's a bit like a roller coaster with added side winds - trees leaning over, crows flying backwards, that sort of thing.

Nice comfortable B&B (Airenlea), with a friendly host - from Bridlington - and the other guests are from Hull, so it's Yorkshire mafia time. Looks like they eat early here, so I'm off to see what the town has to offer - the answer is not a lot, but what there is looks good, though all the shops are closed. Had a pleasant meal in the sparsely-populated restaurant at the Spread Eagle hotel, at one point I was the only customer.

The river in Jedburgh

Jedburgh Jail

Here we go ...

All ready (I hope) to set off on the first leg of my ride, to Jedburgh today, my 60th birthday.
It was great, and unexpected, that people at work made a collection and gave it to me on Friday - thank you to all at Carbrook .

Thanks also to everyone else who have sent messages of encouragement and have made a donation, we're up to nearly £1,000 so far.

The webpage at http://tiny.cc/CPC2011 will remain open during my ride, and for some weeks afterwards.

I will be keeping this blog up to date so you can follow my progress.

Thanks again for all your support.

Pete

Last minute preparations and fund-raising

Jeff Hall's have given the bike a full service, including adjusting the tappets, and fitted a new spark plug and rear tyre. I've got spare bulbs and inner tubes, and a throttle cable is on order. They have also given me a pair of waterproof over-trousers as a donation - thank you very much - let's hope I won't need them too often.

The Norwich branch of Compass Point Challenge (my mum) has held a coffee morning, which has raised over £130 with donations still coming in - thanks again.

Thanks to my "offline" donors

Thanks to all of you who have made a donation directly to me, I'll list you below:

Dick S from Transport & Highways
Dennis W from Transport & Highways
Bielawski's Sheffield Trimming Company
Elleri from the Learning Support Service
Verena from Birkendale
Jeff Hall Motorcycles
Greg from Jeff Hall's
Paul T from Transport & Highways
Anne and David
Sue N from Sheffield
Kate B coffee morning
Joyce B from Norwich
Jackie from the Learning Support Service
John M from Transport & Highways
Andy B from Transport & Highways
Nigel M from Transport & Highways
Ian S from Transport & Highways
Collection and donations from all at Carbrook
Hettie in Lincoln
Eleanor
A couple at Dunnet Head
Anne from the Learning Support Service
Biker from Cornwall at Ardnamurchan Point
Potential biker from York at Ardnamurchan Point
Derek and Suzy at Torbay Lodge, Dumfries
Another lady at Torbay Lodge
Margaret from the Learning Support Service
Kathryn and Peter at Pendragon House
Rosie from the Learning Support Service
Norwich ladies
Pete M from Transport & Highways
Dave B formerly from Transport & Highways
Nigel and Barbara

Total now £550.09 - see later post for any later donations

In the news

There's a nice piece about my ride in this week's Sheffield Telegraph

http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/local/epic_ride_with_an_eye_on_cambodia_1_3736637

 - which shows the value of taking the time to put together a press release. At the time of writing my picture is also gracing the top of the first page of their website - so it must be a slow news week.

and in The Star: