Day 12
DRIZZLE, mist and darkness. Not an encouraging start to our last day. Paul and Adrian were on the road by 7am. The A30 is nearly all dual carriageway down to Land’s End. A very difficult ride in awful conditions. We were all looking forward to meeting Adrian’s family there later.
Thankfully a break in the weather, the sun even started to shine. We arrive in Land’s End at 1.30pm, meeting Adrian’s family. We are thinking of our own relatives.
Paul and Adrian arrived at 3.10pm. We were all there to celebrate their achievement as they crossed the line. It was an extremely emotional moment. A fantastic experience. The lads have been training for a year for this trip. Natasha and I are honoured to have supported them through this challenge along with all our families and friend.
Many hugs and a spray of champagne as they crossed the line, photos and a meeting with another End to Ender we had passed on our day 6.
Paul, Adrian, Natasha and Annie would all like to thank everyone for their support and encouragement.

Day 11
ANOTHER sleepless night as no beds but a comfortable carpet in the Taunton TA centre. Refuelled with pasta, salad, bread and a good breakfast our penultimate day began.
Our destination is Launceston in Cornwall. The weather is lovely – the sun cream has finally emerged from our bags! The lads are both nursing injuries but with regular painkillers, support bandaging, Ralgex and Tiger Balm they are both managing well.
We met for lunch just outside Crediton. Ham sandwiches yet again and some delightful iced cookies in the shape of a pair of shorts. Much discussion has taken place over the past few days regarding cycle shorts.
Natasha and I thought the lads would appreciate the biscuits. They had yellow icing and we had red. If anyone sees the lads out and about, ask them about Sudocream. It has worked wonders evidently.
The lads hit the A30 and broke their speed record today clocking 43.2mph on the dual carriageway.
They were not impressed when we finally arrived in Launceston as the St John Ambulance centre had no shower facilities. After a thorough wash we found a fish and chip restaurant. A welcome change from pasta!
We went back to the classroom, our sleeping area for the night, to play games of Cluedo and Uno.
We only have one more sleep to go and are all looking forward to getting home. We have all left families coping at home without us. We are very grateful for their support.

Friday
WE are all feeling very tired and homesick. Paul and Adrian are really feeling the effects of having cycled more than 750 miles in the last 10 days.
We stayed at Beachley Barracks, almost under the Severn Bridge, near Chepstow and we were well looked after.
However, we drew the line at joining the First Rifles’ fancy dress competition.
After a cooked breakfast and another sort out we collected our packed lunches and made our way to the local racecourse to drop the cyclists off.
Over the old Severn Bridge, Natasha and I waited in freezing conditions to video the duo coming over it only to be delayed by them stopping off to take photos.
We then actually mislaid the cyclists down a cycle path on the route into Bristol.
We were all dreading negotiating Bristol but actually the traffic was not as bad as we feared.
We agreed a meeting for lunch and to stick closer together today.
We decide to make the rendezvous on time today. As we travelled the route Natasha and I visited a garden centre and despite the ribbing we had been given by the riders for shopping, we bought some obscure toys.
Lunch was subdued as Adrian’s knee is getting gradually worse but after more painkillers and a short rest he is feeling a little better.
This afternoon we have stayed close to the riders in case they needed us. Our final destination is Taunton Territorial Army Barracks – no beds again – the floor here we come!
But we do have a television, kitchen and shower, well until Paul broke the shower!
Everyone tucked into pasta for our meal as it is a great source of carbohydrates and is easy to prepare.
We are going to enjoy a few games of Cluedo and Uno.
We all appreciate the support our families are giving us at home and on the phone. Your encouragement is making all the difference.
Two more sleepovers to go!

Thursday
Another sleepless night, not due to traffic/transport noise but the lack of beds.
The lads were very chivalrous and allowed us to use the cushions off the armchairs.
Paul awoke to find himself firmly wedged underneath the coffee table.
Adrian had slept on his back all night – snoring on the hard floor.
We were very grateful to the boys as we enjoyed quite a comfortable night.
After breakfast and helping us pack the car the lads headed off into Shrewsbury, destined for Leominster to meet for lunch.
The friendly security guard on the gate noticed the state of our car.
We told him it was tidy and the lads had just thrown all their gear into it!
They made really good time as they both find it easier to keep going rather than stopping, as their injuries seem to stiffen up if they stop too often.
Natasha and I headed into Shrewsbury to take some photos of the Tudor buildings that we had seen the previous evening.
The lads were so speedy that they beat us to our lunch stop – we’ll never live that down.
Paul tells me that Adrian has had several encounters with a coach and large lorries.
Evidently, several episodes of gesticulation were witnessed by Paul.
At lunchtime Adrian realised he had forgotten to coat himself in a thick layer of Sudocrem, required to prevent chaffing.
Adrian popped into the gents at the services to apply as required, to upper body and lower body areas. Adrian today took the lead so that he set the pace with his knee injury.
The journey and traffic improved as we headed down towards Chepstow along the banks of the River Wye.
Natasha and I visited Tintern Abbey, a place we have both passed before but hadn’t got round to visiting.
The sun has shone all day making the cycling extremely pleasant.We arrive at Beachley Army Camp to warm bunks and food. We must mention Andy Clark at this point as he has been extremely helpful in organising our Army accommodation.
We are all very grateful as it has kept the cost of the ride down to ensure as much money is available to the Fortuneswell Trust as possible.
Miles 85.9; Average speed 14.4mph; Top speed 34.1mph; Cycle time 5hr 57min; Total miles 692.

Wednesday
After a day like today it is a night to compare swellings.
A disturbed night’s sleep at Stockport’s Territorial Army barracks. We are surrounded by planes, trains and automobiles. At one point we started looking for Steve Martin and and John Candy!
We slept on pushed-together armchairs in the bar, which actually was surprisingly comfortable.
08.37am, a little later than usual as Adrian couldn’t decide to wear his overshoes or not, our destination for the day is the historic town of Shrewsbury, once again staying in army barracks.
Natasha and I were sent shopping by Paul. On Sunday it had rained mercilessly and their mobile phones had stopped working.
Both cyclists had to buy new ones. Our mission was to buy Paul a new means of communication. Stockport is a nice shopping centre and we both wished we had a cycling top box for all our purchases.
More town riding, the riders are amazed at the stunning scenery so have decided to be more observant in future.
Locally, they have a ‘nerd of the day’ award, usually for bad driving, but the riders have taken to competing for the silliest photo competition with Adrian pretending to be a scarecrow in a field of maize.
Having cycled 65 miles today, shorter in comparison, we arrive in Shrewsbury. The barracks are very clean but lacking in beds. Unfortunately it means sleeping on the floor.
After a meal at Wetherspoons and the discovery of a fruity cider we retire to the barracks a game and a chat.
Paul and Adrian are now sitting comparing swellings. Adrian’s left knee and Paul’s left ankle.
They now both require regular painkillers and are sitting with limbs elevated in ice in situ.
As for saddle sore, the sudocream has been useful.

Day 7: (Tuesday)
Miles 65.25, average speed 12.5, top speed 29.5, riding time 5hrs 12min, total miles 541
After a sleepless night in our luxury barn accommodation we packed the car. It is now bulging with all sorts of unmentionable wet clothing!
We wriggled through the lanes to the point where the boys re-routed yesterday and dropped them off to restart.
We have changed our route today as our accommodation, provided by the army, was only confirmed yesterday.
The early part of the ride was very picturesque. The dales were beautiful. We met at Bacup, a small industrial town. I popped into the market town to grab some supplies, bananas and doughnuts.
The boys refuelled with soup, ham sandwiches and doughnuts. We headed for Rochdale our final destination being Stockport.
Natasha and I were grateful for our satnav, kindly donated by Halfords.
The riders had to rely on Adrian's map reading and navigational skills. He did very well.
The cyclists have had to re-route several times today due to road closures and the emergence of motorways.
They arrived somewhat stressed following a hair-raising ride in town traffic. Both had experienced several close encounters with impatient drivers.
We arrived at the Territorial Army centre to discover we were sleeping on armchairs in the bar area.
The showers were good. Natasha and Annie both visited friends who lived locally. The riders are out for the evening reflecting on their near-death experiences in these northerly towns.