John O Groats to Lands End

The Charities we are supporting...

The Charities we are supporting...
http://www.bestchances.org.uk/
We have decided to cycle the length of the country from John O Groats to Lands End in aid of two charities that are very close to our hearts. Both charities have a similar goal to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people albeit it in very different areas of the world. The Zambia IDEALS project is dedicated to empowering young people who are living in poverty using sport as a basis and educating communities about the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS. This work is carried out in one of the most socially and economically deprived areas of the world namely Lusaka, Zambia. Best Chances is a UK based charity which works in some of the most deprived areas of the country and aims to offer young people the best chances in life by breaking down financial barriers which prevent them from fulfilling their dreams. Both of these charities are currently carrying out tremendous work and have been involved in transforming the lives of many, young, deprived individuals. This work is obviously very dependent on funding and it is for this reason that we both felt we should do our bit by trying to raise some funds to allow this fantastic work to continue.

Thursday 24 June 2010

Finally arrived in Fort Augustus!!

We arrived into fort augustus very late this evening after a really tough day!! We are both exhausted so will keep this short and sweet!!

First 35 miles to dingwall were flat but the headwind was like being in a tornado!! This, combined with too many photo stops put us really behind schedule!! We didn't stop for lunch until 1430 and we knew we were faced with a big climb this afternoon!! Just before hitting the big climb bens map reading skills deserted him and we ended up 3 miles in the wrong direction and with a big hill to climb to get back on track, this again pushed us further behind our schedule and left me fearing for my life when I broke the news to becky!! Then came the big hill!! This went on for ever and ever and was pretty demoralising!! Still, we made it up and reallly enjoyed the 15% decline to loch ness!!

After a quick spot of monster searching we set off on the final 20 miles of the day which were again more up and down than the map showed us!!

Alas we arrived at fort augustus just after 2115 still with plenty of day light left!! Our hostess made us some salmon and pasta which we were so greatful for seeing as all the restraunts were shut!! This place is a ghost town!!

Anyway we are off for a well earner sleepo in the hope tomorrow goes a little smoother!!

Thanks for reading and for all the messages and donations, they really keep us going up the highland hills!!

Off to oban tomorrow!!

Highlights of the day:
1. Breaking the record for free snacks, today we got 4 bottles of lucozade, a bag of haribo and 10 mars bars! Our blagging skills are improving!!
2. Seeing seals on route to dingwall (see picture you can just make them out)
3. Sponsorship off a little lady in the station cafe in dingwall
4. Reaching the top of the climb out of beauly
5. The adrenaline rush of the downhill to loch ness!
6. The breathtaking views of loch ness
7. The salmon pasta from our host on arrival in fort augustus
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