Jamie's cousin Markus has not only been slogging up the steep hills of Cornwall with us - he's also been making the time to capture it all on camera and produce this great 3 minute film documenting the first county of our journey. Hit play and enjoy the ride!
Thursday, 23 July 2015
Wednesday, 22 July 2015
...beep...beep...beep...
...beep...beep...
This is the Tandem and Tuba Explorer resuming contact with planet Earth...we are on course and outbound from Cornwall, with a full payload of still and video images, and memories, awaiting upload when we can get organised...
We set off on Monday in thick mist from (we think) Land's End, and arrived fairly damp at Newlyn for a coffee stop. The first sight to greet us in the gallery café was...a tuba! This had to be a sign. A sunny (but hilly) afternoon took us to Perranporth Youth Hostel, in a spectacular clifftop location overlooking the surfers' beach.
Tuesday was sunnier - and hillier. After a lunch break when hammocks were slung and swung in, a weary but determined band of cyclists continued, to arrive at Tintagel Youth Hostel (brake or go over the cliff) in an even more dramatic setting, only enhanced by a peregrine falcon hovering motionless in the gale just over the car park. Some of us enjoyed an atmospheric walk to Tintagel Castle in the dusk at 10pm, a nightjar calling from the undergrowth.
Today (Wednesday) was the hilliest yet, but didn't quite feel it. Just maybe we are starting to get into the swing of it. The narrow country lanes of Cornwall gave way to broader views in Devon, with a beautiful downhill run to Egloskerry. The tandem suffered on the off-road (read: no road) stretch of Cycle Route 27 on the edge of Dartmoor, but was able to make it to Okehampton Youth Hostel thanks to the long stretch of converted railway line to finish. Repair or replacement of bent derailleur will be needed tomorrow. Tonight we celebrated Harry's 20th birthday with lasagne, chocolate cake and cider!
This is the Tandem and Tuba Explorer resuming contact with planet Earth...we are on course and outbound from Cornwall, with a full payload of still and video images, and memories, awaiting upload when we can get organised...
We set off on Monday in thick mist from (we think) Land's End, and arrived fairly damp at Newlyn for a coffee stop. The first sight to greet us in the gallery café was...a tuba! This had to be a sign. A sunny (but hilly) afternoon took us to Perranporth Youth Hostel, in a spectacular clifftop location overlooking the surfers' beach.
 |
| Blue sky and a drying wind at Perranporth |
Tuesday was sunnier - and hillier. After a lunch break when hammocks were slung and swung in, a weary but determined band of cyclists continued, to arrive at Tintagel Youth Hostel (brake or go over the cliff) in an even more dramatic setting, only enhanced by a peregrine falcon hovering motionless in the gale just over the car park. Some of us enjoyed an atmospheric walk to Tintagel Castle in the dusk at 10pm, a nightjar calling from the undergrowth.
Today (Wednesday) was the hilliest yet, but didn't quite feel it. Just maybe we are starting to get into the swing of it. The narrow country lanes of Cornwall gave way to broader views in Devon, with a beautiful downhill run to Egloskerry. The tandem suffered on the off-road (read: no road) stretch of Cycle Route 27 on the edge of Dartmoor, but was able to make it to Okehampton Youth Hostel thanks to the long stretch of converted railway line to finish. Repair or replacement of bent derailleur will be needed tomorrow. Tonight we celebrated Harry's 20th birthday with lasagne, chocolate cake and cider!
Sunday, 19 July 2015
Here we go!
Think global, act local - and bike national?
Tomorrow morning we drive for the last time for 3 weeks - the ten miles from Penzance Youth Hostel to Land's End - and then start cycling. The forecast is good, and we are really looking forward to getting started. We are also delighted that our fundraising has just passed £3,000. Thanks once again to all contributors; every bit counts and makes a difference.
OK, it's not quite true about not driving for 3 weeks. Mum and Dad will take turns to drive the 'support car', but we non-drivers (Jamie, Joe, Harry and Markus) are planning to cycle every mile of the route.
We have collected cousin / nephew Markus from Plymouth, who comes with an impressive collection of film equipment. All being well, he will be posting a video diary of our progress. Watch this space!
This Friday's Perthshire Advertiser features a photo of Jamie, tuba and tandem. Here we are yesterday morning about to set off from home...
Tomorrow morning we drive for the last time for 3 weeks - the ten miles from Penzance Youth Hostel to Land's End - and then start cycling. The forecast is good, and we are really looking forward to getting started. We are also delighted that our fundraising has just passed £3,000. Thanks once again to all contributors; every bit counts and makes a difference.
OK, it's not quite true about not driving for 3 weeks. Mum and Dad will take turns to drive the 'support car', but we non-drivers (Jamie, Joe, Harry and Markus) are planning to cycle every mile of the route.
We have collected cousin / nephew Markus from Plymouth, who comes with an impressive collection of film equipment. All being well, he will be posting a video diary of our progress. Watch this space!
This Friday's Perthshire Advertiser features a photo of Jamie, tuba and tandem. Here we are yesterday morning about to set off from home...
Sunday, 5 July 2015
Where are we going?
The route!
It should be more or less like this. Click on the links for details.
Week 1 (starts Monday 20th July)
Land's End to Perranporth - to Tintagel - to Okehampton - to Wellington - to Cheddar - to St Briavel's - to Leominster
Week 2 (starts Monday 27th July)
Leominster to Hordley Hall - to Formby via the Mersey Ferry - to Conder Green - to Ambleside - to Longtown - to Ettrick Valley Yurts - to Edinburgh
Week 3 (starts Monday 3rd August)
Edinburgh to Perth - to Blair Atholl - to Aviemore - to Culbokie - via Cromarty Ferry to Helmsdale - to John O'Groats!!
No, we haven't finished the ride yet. This was us (Jamie, Sarah, Harry, Joe) 8 years ago, on our way back from a holiday in Orkney that remains the only one we have ever abandoned prematurely. It was a bit windy for camping. The boys have all grown somewhat since. We'll try to reproduce the same photo on August the 8th to see by how much!
A brisk ride from Perth via Rait to Longforgan and back yesterday - 40 miles, and we set off after 3pm, making it home just in time to watch Andy Murray win his latest match at Wimbledon.
It should be more or less like this. Click on the links for details.
Week 1 (starts Monday 20th July)
Land's End to Perranporth - to Tintagel - to Okehampton - to Wellington - to Cheddar - to St Briavel's - to Leominster
Week 2 (starts Monday 27th July)
Leominster to Hordley Hall - to Formby via the Mersey Ferry - to Conder Green - to Ambleside - to Longtown - to Ettrick Valley Yurts - to Edinburgh
Week 3 (starts Monday 3rd August)
Edinburgh to Perth - to Blair Atholl - to Aviemore - to Culbokie - via Cromarty Ferry to Helmsdale - to John O'Groats!!
No, we haven't finished the ride yet. This was us (Jamie, Sarah, Harry, Joe) 8 years ago, on our way back from a holiday in Orkney that remains the only one we have ever abandoned prematurely. It was a bit windy for camping. The boys have all grown somewhat since. We'll try to reproduce the same photo on August the 8th to see by how much!
A brisk ride from Perth via Rait to Longforgan and back yesterday - 40 miles, and we set off after 3pm, making it home just in time to watch Andy Murray win his latest match at Wimbledon.
Saturday, 27 June 2015
Train, train, train...
...train of fools?
An obscure Aretha Franklin reference there, I suspect my Dad. We have had several comments on the lines of "you must be crazy", but we just can't agree. What nicer holiday could there be than three weeks free of all worries other than getting on your bike, cycling through Britain's wonderfully varied countryside, eating a large meal, sleeping like a log, and doing it all again the next day. Three weeks of blissful freedom from all those unnecessary deadlines we manage to fill our days with. Heaven!
Today's training ride took us over Kinnoul Hill to Glendoick Garden Centre, and back up the hairpins to Pitlowie and Murrayshall. Nearly 2,000 feet of climb altogether, and only relieved by large pots of tea, fruit scones, fruit loaf and ginger beer. In a few weeks it will be Cornish cream teas that will revive us as we start to eat our way through Britain.
Contributions continue to come in, for which we are as ever grateful. Over £160 was collected last Sunday, our thanks to fans of Perthshire Brass.
The last week of term approaches. I had a solo spot in the end of term Summer Showcase on Thursday. Here is a slightly fuzzy photo of me playing Jurassic Park!
Now is that not a beautiful instrument?
An obscure Aretha Franklin reference there, I suspect my Dad. We have had several comments on the lines of "you must be crazy", but we just can't agree. What nicer holiday could there be than three weeks free of all worries other than getting on your bike, cycling through Britain's wonderfully varied countryside, eating a large meal, sleeping like a log, and doing it all again the next day. Three weeks of blissful freedom from all those unnecessary deadlines we manage to fill our days with. Heaven!
Today's training ride took us over Kinnoul Hill to Glendoick Garden Centre, and back up the hairpins to Pitlowie and Murrayshall. Nearly 2,000 feet of climb altogether, and only relieved by large pots of tea, fruit scones, fruit loaf and ginger beer. In a few weeks it will be Cornish cream teas that will revive us as we start to eat our way through Britain.
Contributions continue to come in, for which we are as ever grateful. Over £160 was collected last Sunday, our thanks to fans of Perthshire Brass.
The last week of term approaches. I had a solo spot in the end of term Summer Showcase on Thursday. Here is a slightly fuzzy photo of me playing Jurassic Park!
Saturday, 20 June 2015
L - 30
Yes in just 30 days we should be setting off on Lejog from Land's End, a slightly scary thought. We managed a good training route this afternoon, up the hill to Path of Condie and back to Perth via Glenfarg. 30 miles, with more climbing than all but three days of our planned route to John O'Groats. And through beautiful countryside, on one of Scotland's better efforts at a summer day so far this year.
End of term fever is setting in. This week we enjoyed Joe's school's terrific production of The Good Person of Szechuan, and next week I get to play a small tuba solo at my school concert.
But first, tomorrow there is Perthshire Brass's annual concert, 7pm at Perth Riverside Church.
https://www.facebook.com/events/303786479745059/
It is always a fun event - and there will be home baking! Not to be missed if you can make it. Oh, and they are very kindly taking donations for refreshments in support of our bike ride. But never mind that, just come and enjoy some great music.
End of term fever is setting in. This week we enjoyed Joe's school's terrific production of The Good Person of Szechuan, and next week I get to play a small tuba solo at my school concert.
But first, tomorrow there is Perthshire Brass's annual concert, 7pm at Perth Riverside Church.
https://www.facebook.com/events/303786479745059/
It is always a fun event - and there will be home baking! Not to be missed if you can make it. Oh, and they are very kindly taking donations for refreshments in support of our bike ride. But never mind that, just come and enjoy some great music.
Friday, 12 June 2015
Thank you (#2)
I had a great time at St Ninian's Cathedral this evening, enjoying the Perth and Kinross Intermediate Music Camp Concert. We were treated to an evening of wind, string, percussion and choral entertainment, including a spectacular performance (impressively from memory) by Stephen Smith on violin, as soloist with the string orchestra. The large audience seemed as thrilled by the show as the young performers themselves.
We were also there to promote our bike ride, and the audience were once more extremely generous with donations, which raised £230.76. Thank you everyone!
Our next 'public engagement' will be a stand at Perth Concert Hall next Wednesday morning, at the People First event as part of Learning Disability Week 2015. But before then we really must get out on the bikes and get some training miles in the legs. Only five weeks until we head for Land's End!
postscript, Sunday: a ride out to Little Glenshee, at the edge of the Scottish Highlands. Always nice to get up into the slightly wilder countryside, and we saw a Perthshire 'Big Five' - deer, red squirrel, hare, lapwing, and a curlew with its wonderfully evocative call.
We were also there to promote our bike ride, and the audience were once more extremely generous with donations, which raised £230.76. Thank you everyone!
Our next 'public engagement' will be a stand at Perth Concert Hall next Wednesday morning, at the People First event as part of Learning Disability Week 2015. But before then we really must get out on the bikes and get some training miles in the legs. Only five weeks until we head for Land's End!
postscript, Sunday: a ride out to Little Glenshee, at the edge of the Scottish Highlands. Always nice to get up into the slightly wilder countryside, and we saw a Perthshire 'Big Five' - deer, red squirrel, hare, lapwing, and a curlew with its wonderfully evocative call.
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