Day fortysix, August 25th; Weymouth to Bournemouth

Start Weymouth at 10.30 Finish: Bournemouth at 6pm Distance: 40 miles
Last night I arrived in Weymouth around 3.30 am and went to bed after 4.am. I woke up this morning as usual prayed, read my Bible I got myself ready for the last "leg" of my trip "Round Britain Bike Ride". I had about 40 miles to cycle. So I intended to take it easy; I arrived in Bournemouth around 6pm.
Maggie provided me with a full English breakfast and she loaded my plate with a huge amount. She said you must eat it all for you need energy to carry on and if you don't have enough I will provide you some more. I was wondering whether I wouldn't weigh too much for my bike and therefore have flat tyres after the breakfast and a big packed lunch. Thank you very much for your hospitality Maggie.
I left Maggie around 10.30am and went to Weymouth town centre and then cycled on the A 353 through Preston, Osmington then tuned left onto the A352 towards Wareham ans Swanage. There was a long queue of cars heading towards Weymouth. When I got to Wareham, I cycled on the A351 towards Swanage. When I got to Corfe Castle, I stopped at the musuem to have a look around and discover a bit more about the place. The receptionist was interested in my ride and she told me that one of their village postmen is currently out on a cycle ride round Britain in support of the Life Boat.
After my visit to the museum, I cycled towards Swanage and arrived about 2.30pm. There I had the lunch Maggie provided for me. I made a few phone calls and texts to family and friends then set off to catch the ferry for Poole. The road Swanage - Poole is quite familiar to me as I used to cycle on it from Burton (Christchurch) regularly.
As I was waiting for the ferry to come I was praying and thanking God for all his faithfulness and protection. Family and friends where wating for me to arrive in Bournemouth town centre at the spot where I sarted my trip on June 26th.
When I arrived I was meet by a huge cheer! Mike Madder and Graham Lawrence where holding a huge banner reading: "ROUND BRITAIN BIKE RIDE - Finish www.fulaniministries.org". Some balloons where hanging from the banner!
Praise God, It was great to be back and to be welcomed by friends and family. I cycled under the banner to a great cheer and clapping of friends and family.
There in front of me were my wife Susanna and our son Belko who is now 6 months; he has grown so much since started the trip. Both where looking for me coming back as the day marks our wedding anniversary. As I was holding Belko and about to thank people who came to welcome me; I was interrupted by the press who was asking some questions about trip. Afterwards I was able to properly greet and thank all those who come to welcome me.
Indeed thank you all for coming to welcome me I really appreciate it. Thank you Mike and Ruth for the banner – what a nice surprise!
After a few minutes chat with people, it was time to go home in Christchurch as it started drizzling. Mike Peach offered to take my bike to his home, and my wife drove me home.
When my wife was driving I thought she was driving fast but actually she doing 30mph. I have become so used to cycling. It was then it dawned on me that I have cycled Round Britain by bike!
I really thank you for all your prayers, best wishes and support in various ways throughout this trip. Every day as I was cycling, I was conscious that I was part of a bigger team of which you have been. I thank you all for your encouragement and love. Most of all, I thank God who has been taking the lead every day. To Him been the glory for ever and ever.
As you may know, I have been doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. Thank you for all your support and offers of support. I will never know how much your prayers and practical support will impact this work. For sure God knows.
As soon as I get a figure about how much money has been raised I will let you know.
I am intending to write a book about the ride and my experiences, if you wish to write an article, I will be happy to include it in the appendix. I will keep you informed about my progress in this new project.
So this was the Round Britain Bike ride which I did by the grace of God and your kind contributions. I left on June 26th 2006 at about 9.30am and got back on August 25th 2006 around 6pm. I did 46 days cycling and covered about 4,000 miles! Praise God!!!

I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries To sponsor, go to www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day fortyfive, August 24th; Plymouth to Weymouth

Start: Plymouth at 8:00am Finish: Weymouth at 2:30am Distance: 110 miles
Thursday was by far the longest ride I have done in terms of time spent on the road!
I stayed the night in Plymouth with Julian. It was good to see him and I am grateful for his hospitality. He had to be at work at 8.00, so I left the house with him around 7.30, but by the time I was out of the town and on to the A38 it was 8:00. My meditation that morning was on Psalm 89: 'I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known throughout all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfullness in heaven itself' (Psalm 89:1-2).
After I had got out of town I stopped to have a banana, and when I was about to set off I found that I had a puncture in my front tire. So I pushed my bike onto the verge, to fixed the puncture. When I ran my hand around the tire I found that it was a piece of glass, so it was easy to see where the hole was. As I set off again I prayed not to have anymore punctures. My front tire is really worn out and vulnberable to punctures. I wonder why people throw glass on the road anyway, it is quite a hazard. Come to think of it, there is so much rubbish on the side of roads, generated by motorists (and perhaps cyclists). You can see dead birds and other animals, old tires, even whole wheels (I hope they didn't fall off while the car was still going!) even books and CDs. A friend Dominc told me that the strangest thing he ever found on the side of the raod while cycling was an electric toothbrush- and it was still going!
So anyway, I hope that we can think of making our roads safer and cleaner. I saw a sign in Wales threatening a £2,500 fine for anyone caught littering!
I carried on. Less than a mile ahead, a van with a ladder passed me. The passenger threw out the crusts of a sandwich at me. I think that was on purpose. I have had many experiences with dirvers, mostly positive, but this sandwich was a first!
I joined the A385 to Paignton. There was a lot of traffic there- I thought it might be an accident, but it wasn't, just people wanting to get to the coast. There was a cycle track at one point, but when it stopped and the road became too narrow I had to push my bike.
In Piagnton I stopped at Morrisons, near Paignton zoo, and had liver and onions for lunch. The way the dinner was arranged on the plate reminded me of the dinner I had had up in Durness- the Haggis, mashed swede and mashed potato.
Both Paignton and Torquay were busy with people and traffic. Torquay reminded me of both Blackpool and Newquay; holidaymakers and surfers everywhere, and amusement arcardes, also there were some beautiful churches in Torquay!
On the road to Teignmouth I remember cycling alomg a road with a wall on the side, pushing my bike uphill. A man in his car shouted at me to hurry up. I stopped and said what do you want me to do? There is a wall here, so I can't pull over. and I can't cycle up this hill!
I was heading to Starcross, to catch the ferry to Exmouth. Before taking the ferry I stopped in Dawslish to see Jane Larkman and her parents. Jane was on holiday there. I was due to stay with them the night before, but it had rained in Plymouth, and I had decided not to carry on. I spent about 40 minutes with Jane and her family, talking. They had kindly been waiting for me at the traffic lights in the town. Jane edits the Fulani version of the WEC Soon magazine, Badake. It was good to see her again. Jane and her Dad went ahead of me to the ferry, where they bought fish and chips and the ferry ticket for me. I really thank Jane and her family for their kind welcome to me in Dawlish, and for their gernerosity.
I took the 6:00pm ferry crossing, and then cycled up the B3178. As I was cycing along a man drove passed me then motioned for me to stop. When we met he said 'I saw you yesterday in Falmouth (Cornwall), and now you are here! We don't see many African Cyclists in these parts!' He asked me what I was doing and where I am from. He told me that he had worked for the UN in Etheopia, and that one of his supervisors was from Burkina Faso. He also told me that his father, who had worked in Gahna for a while and lectured at a University in the UK, said that of his brightest students are from Africa!
I cycled on, and got into a tescos to wash my hands before I ate my fish and chips. I saw that many of the people were staring at me, and one child pointed at me and said 'look at that man!'
I stopped in a laybay by a recycling centre to eat. As I started eating I heard tires screecing. A car swerved and pulled in sharply at the layby. In it was a couple, arguing loudly and swearing. They were playing loud music too. I was thinking how can I help these people to peace? I thought of the sermon on the mount, when Jesus saying blessed are the peacemakers. I wondered what I could do here with my greasy hands. I have heard of some people who intervened in arguments only to find that they become the target of abuse! I decided that the best thing to do was to pray. So I prayed there in the layby. A few minutes later the couple stopped the loud arguing, and the man kissed the lady! They drove off in peace! I thought to myself, these people have come out from their home to argue, and then go home again. This all happened in the space of 10 minutes!
Another man came to do his recycling, and started talking to me. He offered me a pound, but I said that I was not collecting, he said I could have it towards my fish and chips.
I was heading to Weymouth that night, as I had a place to stay there with Maggie, an older lady who I studied with at Moorlands College. She had kindly said that I was welcome whatever time I arrived! The road along the coast was certainly hilly. By the time I got to Sidmouth it was already dark, and later on it got quite cold. I put on my raincoat to keep warmer, but my elbow where I had had my accident was hurting.
Just outside Lyme Regis, afer midnight, I saw a man walking his dog. He was not really looking where he was going, but when he heard me coming he looked up and saw me. He looked really frightened, and suddenly turned and quickly walked down a side road! I was laughing to myself for quite a while afterwards, thinking that this man looked so scared!
I joined the A35 at Bridport. I had heard that there was a stabbing there the previous night, and that the police had closed the town centre. As I cycled through I saw the traffic cones, and two police cars.
I then followed the B3157 through Abbotsbury. It was really hilly and dark, and I was grateful whenever there was a car coming behind me, so I could see better. I got a text from Maggie, who was waiting up for me, saying she would come out on the raod to meet me. In Abbotsbury there was a steep downhill of 17%, and as it was a new road there were loose chippings and the road studs had been removed. I was praying, at 1:00 in the morning, to be safe! Shortly afterwards I climed to the top of a hill overlooking the sea. I could hear the sea, and see the lights of several towns reflecting in the water and glowing out into the dark sky full of stars.
Maggie met me on a road outside Weymouth, and drove ahead of me to her house. I was really touched at this welcome, at a very early hour in the morning! We got to her house at 3:00. I really thank Maggie for her hospitalty, and her generous spirit to welcome me warmly at the time I arrived. I wanted to get back home quickly, which is why I wanted to press on, and Maggie kindly understood this! So I stayed in Weymouth and the next day I had just 40 miles to ride to get back to Bournemouth which is is under half of my daily average. I am planning to get back to Bournemouth on Friday 25th August. Thank you for all your support and prayers.
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries To sponsor, go to www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day fortyfour, August 23rd; Carnon Downs, Truro, to Plymouth

Start: Carnon Downs, Truro, at 8:00 Finish: Plymouth at 6:00 Distance: 64 miles
Brian cycled 3 or 4 miles with me up to Truro along a cycle path. I went through the town and joined the A390. Near Probus the traffic started building up and was very slow up to Liskeard. Most of my journey yesterday was hilly. Before I got to Plymouth my friend Julian called me. He offered me a place for the night, but I was thinking that I could get further, as I also have a contact in Dawlish. He told me to come to the hospital to meet him, as he works in the A&E there. not long after it started to rain hard, and I didn't get far very fast. I arrived at the hospital later than I had planned, about 6:00, and since it was still raining I arranged to stay with Julian. We had supper together, and I went to Julian's flat, since he was working til 10.
Here is some Cornish writing I have seen, can anyone guess what this means? Igas dynergh-plu carn bre.
It is a great feeling to be closer to home. I am hoping to get back Friday or Saturday.
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Minstries. To sponsor, go to www.fulaniminstries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day fortythree, August 22nd; Newquay to Carnon Downs, Truro

Start: Newquay at 8:00 Finish: Carnon Downs, Truro, at 10:30 Distance: 92 miles
From Newquay I followed the A3075 up to a busy roundabout where the road meets the A30. Then I made my way into the town of Redruth, where I went to get some doughnuts from Tescos for lunch. I cycled through Hayle and then to St Ives, where I followed the coast road. In the countryside before St Ives I saw a herd of cows in a field. I stopped and called them like Fulani people call their cows, and they came! It was nice to see these beautiful creatures; I took some pictures of them! (To call cows, roll your tongue into the roof of your mouth and make a sucking noise). Between St Ives and St Just it is absolutely, continuously hilly. Near the towm of Zennor I was trying to get up some speed coming downhill, when a camper van suddenly emerged from a side road and I had to brake to a stop. It was dissapointing to have lost my momentum! I rejoined the A30 and went down to Lands End, arriving abut 5:30. It was great to see this place again, where I had been two years ago. It brought back lots of memories. The place felt like it had a festival atmosphere, with lots of people walking about. There was a group of people waiting at the finish line who cheered me and took pictures of me as I crossed. I got talking to them and found that they were waiting for their daughter/ sister to arrive. I also met this lady a bit later; she had completed the John O'Groats in 19 days, with a friend. She congratulated me on having nearly finished the round Britain ride.
Back on the road I passed through the town of Sennen, and saw a church which had been built in 520 AD!
I bypassed Penznace, and on the way to Helston I was met on the side of the road by Brian Jenson, his wife, and wife's sister and her husband. I stayed with them in Morecambe, and I was due to stay with Alan and Jean, together with Brian and his wife Sandra, who were on holiday with them! They had been passing on the way back from a day out sailing, and had spotted me on the road. By this time it was nearly dark, and Brian offered to pick me up later. It was quite hilly, but I cycled all the way in the end. Later on Brian came back to see me in his car and showed me the way to the house.
Thank you to Alan and Jean for their kind hospitality. It was really good to see Brian and his wife again too!
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, go to www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day fortytwo, August 21; Lee, Ilfracombe, to Newquay

Start: Lee, Ilfracombe at 9:30 Finish: Newquay at 8:30 Distance: 94 miles
John Pink left earlier in the morning for work, and as I left, my wife, Anne Pink, and Dominic, who has just finished Moorlands, prayed for me. Thank you again to John and Anne and their family for welcoming us, and for allowing us to have such a great weekend, it was really special to spend time with my family and especially to see my son Belko again. He was 6 months old yesterday. Form Lee I joined the A361 to Barnstable. Before I got to there Pastor Hudson from Yorkshire called me to find out how I was doing. He then arranged for me to stay in Newquay, with the pastor of the Newquay Christian Fellowship. At the same time the pastor of Ilfracombe Christian Fellowship, where we had been on the Sunday morning, was trying to contact the same pastor to ask about accomdation, but had not been able to as the pastor was in a meeting! I then took the A39 through Bideford, Bude and Wadebridge. As I was now in Cornwall I saw lots of Cornish flags, a white cross on a black background; the flag of their Saint, St Perran.
In the village of Whitecross I had supper of fish and chips in a pub called halfway. When I got to Newquay I saw that it is a popular holiday destination, especially for surfers. There were lots of people walking around, including surfers in their wetsuits carrying their boards. There were many amusement arcades; the place reminded me of Blackpool. I asked a number of people where Pentire is, and didn't get far as it seemed everyone I met was on holiday. I finally met a local who gave me directions. I stayed with Peter and Susan last night, and thank them for their hospitality. Peter is the pastor of Newquay Christian Fellowship.
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To support, please go to: www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th of August

It was the first Saturday in a long time that I didn't get up to cycle. Instead I had a day out with my family. We went to look around Ilracombe, and we also went to Lynmouth, I showed my wife the accidental detour I had done, so now I have climbed this steep hill three times!
On Sunday we went to Ilfraombe Christian Fellowship with the Pink family. The sermon was on 2 Timothy 4 'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith' (2 Tim. 4:7).
After church we had a grand Sunday lunch and a relaxing afternoon, then church again in the evening.

Day fortyone, August 18th; East Quantoxhead to Lee, Ilfracombe

Start: East Quantoxhead at 8:00 Finish: Lee, Ilfracombe at 9:00 Distance: 64 miles
I had some more of the cereal for breakfast, and then left the rest with the group of cyclists; they had not realised that there was no shop nearby so didn' t have food with them.
Before I had left Bristol the day before I had been told about Porlock Hill, and a story about a lifeboat being pulled up the hill in order to save a boat in distress. This is one of the most steep hills in Britain, and not fun to cycle up (in fact you can't). About 6 miles before the hill there is a diversion for lorries over 17 tons. Then there are lots of warning signs, and the hill itself is as steep as a wall! There are spaces like passing bays, but not for passing; for cars to escape to incase there is a car coming down the hill out of control. After this hill there was a short stretch downhill then another hill. When I got to the top, overloooking Porlock Bay, it was good to 'rest and be thankful' like the name of the hill in Scotland. Unlike Scotland there were no midges to bother me! There were a number of wild ponies, and also an icecream van there selling sheepsmilk icecream made from Exmoor sheepsmilk. I don't usually buy icecreams but I got one to celebrate getting up Porlock Hill. The lady selling me the icecream proudly claimed that sheepsmilk is very healthy, but I told her that health is a relative concept and that perhaps sheepmilk could contribute to her view of health!
I cycled along the top of the moor to Lynmouth, where there is a steep hill down into the town. There were more warning signs, this time advising cyclists to walk. I didn't do this, as I find walking downhill more difficult than cycling, but I had to keep my brakes on. There were coachlaods of tourists going down the hill too, and I thought that the drivers of the coaches must be very good, and the passengers must have healthy hearts, as this hill is not people with nerves! I prayed not to slip. At the bottom of the hill there is a gorge, with a lovely waterfall and waterjets spraying water into the air. I stayed a few minutes and took a few pictures, like the other tourists. Coming uphill again I had to push my bike up the steep bit, then cycle uphill for a few miles. It took me 30 minutes in all. When I got to a T junction I took a right turn, and cycled for several miles downhill. It was a nice ride and I was singing most of the way down. When I got to the bottom, however, and saw the waterjets and the waterfall, I realised that I had come round six miles in a circle, and the worst thing was that I would have to face the steep hill again! What had happened was that I had not realised that the town was called Lynmouth, and I thought that I still had to pass through there to get to Ilfracombe. I asked directions in a bistro/cafe, and the waiter gave me good instructions. There was a lady there, however, who was half drunk, and when she heard what had happned to me she stood up and exclaimed 'thats not very clever is it!'.
I carried on back up the hill and then towrads Ilfracombe. I passed through Combe Martin, which is a lovely seaside town, at the bottom of a valley. In Hele you have a great view of Hele Bay from the top of a hill.
When I got to Ilfracombe, I called my friends John and Anne Pink, to get directions to their house, which is eight miles out of Ilfracombe, in Lee. John was in town so he came to meet me. He took my bags and basket, and explianed how to get on the Tarka Trail, a cycle route following a disused railway line, which runs near their home. I had a great welcome and later on my wife arrived from Bournemouth with Belko. I had been really looking forward to seeing them. Belko has grown so much; since I last saw him he has learnt to sit up and also he has started eating 'real' food. He can make alot more sounds too, he says 'bababa'- in my language 'Baaba' means daddy, so I wonder if he knows what he is saying :). Its nice to hear him anyway. My family and I stayed with John and Anne for the weekend, which was wonderful, and I thank John and Anne, and their children, for making this weekend possible for us.
I am doing this ride in support if Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, go to www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day forty, August 17th; Bristol to East Quantoxhead

Start: Bristol at 9:00 Finish: East Quantoxhead at 6:00 Distance: 52 miles
Before I left, Graham Loveland printed out some directions for me about how to get out of Bristol. When I got to the A38 I saw a KFC. It was just before 11, and I waited for it to open. I had an early lunch as I was not planning to stop again. As I was there I called home to see how my son was doing and I gave a report of my ride yesterday for the blog.
When I set out again I headed in the direction of Taunton. It drizzled for most of the morning; when I got to Churchill I saw a big black cloud moving overhead, with thunder rumbling. I prayed not to get wet! I saw a bus shelter and went in to wrap my things up in plastic bags. It rained quite hard for 15 minutes, and afterwards there was alot of water on the roads. Its amazing how much water lorries can lift up as they drive through the puddles! After that the sun came out.
Before reaching Taunton I turned towards Bridgewater, where I did some shopping for food, since I was staying at a Youth Hostel that night. When I reached East Quantoxhead I met a few cyclists who told me that they were cycling round Cornwall and Devon. They were staying at the Youth Hostel too so I cycled over with them. When I got there I found that they were part of a larger group of cyclists. The group were quite noisy, talking about their ride; they had been doing about 50-55 miles per day.
I had supper of baked beans and a bowl of cereal, and I got to know some of the other guests there. I met a lady who had been an English teacher in China for 12 years. There was a German family who had a twelve year old boy who was very good at chess. He had been playing since he was six- that's half his life!- and is in category B of a German chess league. He had taught his dad to play, who is now category C of the same league. The boy and his dad played chess throughout the evening, and the boy won for the fourth time in a row! There was also a man there who does railway maintenance. He said his mum is Chinese and his dad was from Glasgow. The man however spoke with a Cockney accent!
I talked to the Youth Hostel manager, who is a volunteer. He said that Youth Hostels are struggling to make ends meet, and that some sites will be closed soon, including the place where I was staying. He asked me if I wanted to buy a youth hostel!
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To support, go to www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day thirtynine, August 16th; Llanedeyrn, Cardiff to Bristol

Start: Llanedeyrn, Cardiff at 11:00 Finish: Bristol at 5:00 Distance: 40 miles
I left Kieth around 11, heading to Newport. I took the A48 towards Chepstow, and crossed over the Severn bridge. I said goodbye to Wales there, to all the people I had stayed with, to the lovely places I'd seen and the difficult names to pronounce. There was a big sign saying WELCOME TO ENGLAND. Over the bridge I found a cycle path that lead me right to over the Avonmouth Bridge. I went to meet friends Richard and Alison Powell at their house; Richard is a student at Trinity College. I spent about an hour talking with them. They have four children and it was good to see them too!
I then went to my hosts, Graham and Claudia Loveland, house. Mr Loveland had emailed me directions while I was in Cardiff, and with the help of a local map which Alison and Richard had lent me, I found their house. I had supper there and later on I went with Alison and Richard to their housegroup meeting. I found the meeting so encouraging; we took communion and prayed together.
Mr and Mrs Loveland have sailed around Britain recently, to raise money for MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) They had stopped in Kessingland, and had gone to Mike and Paulines church there on the day after I had stayed with them. I had stayed with Mike and Pauline Beales in Kessingland on day five of my cycle ride. I would like to thank Graham and Claudia Loveland for their warm hospitality.
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To support, go to: www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day thirtyeight, August 15th; Camarthen to Llanederyn, Cardiff

Start: Camarthen at 10:00 Finish: Llanederyn, Cardiff at 9:00 Distance: 83 miles
My meditation on Tuesday morning was on Malachi2:10-16, about keeping faith with God. Pete, my host, dropped me at the bus stop in Camarthen, where he had picked me up from the night before. I set off towards Llanelli and Swansea. On the way I passed through Kidwelly, where I had spent the night. I got lost going through Swansea, since a van driver had given me directions which had turned out to be incorrect. I had to go back into Swansea again to get back on the right road.
I had an offer of accomodation in Cymer, Port Talbot with Steve and Gwyneth Treseder, but the distance from Kidwelly was too short to cycle in one day. I met Steve and Gwyneth in a Tescos cafe in Port Talbot. I locked up my bike near the door left it in the care of a security guard. It was good to meet Styeve and Gwyneth, I spent about 40 minutes talking to them over lunch. They are friends of Mike and Pauline Beales, who I had stayed with in Kessingland, near Lowestoft. Mike had given me a picture of them, with their address, and asked me to sent it back to him when I had met them!
As I went out of the Tescos I started talking with the security guard who had watched over my bike for me. He was from Gambia, and it turned out that he was a Fulani, and a Diallo too! We talked for a while, and exchanged phone numbers.
Leaving Port Talbot I passed through Bridgend and then got to Cardiff, where I stayed, in Llanedeyrn, with Keith Smith. The last time I had seen Keith was in Burkina Faso, where he is a missionary among the Fulani people. We spoke Fulfulde (the Fulani language) and he told me about some recent news from the North of Burkina Faso, where many Fulani people live. His website is www.undertheacacias.org.uk . Since I started the ride I haven't been able to listen to much news of hear of news from my home country. There has been a flood there recently, in the town of Gorom Gorom, where a dam burst after a big rainfall. It killed two people and destroyed many houses in part of the town. For more information click here . Please pray for those affected by the flood and for those organising relief/aid.
I would like to thank Keith for his hospitality, and for washing my clothes!
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, go to www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day thirtyseven, August 14th; Cardigan to Camarthen

Start: Cardigan at 10:00 Finish Camarthen at 9:30 Distance: 83 miles
I got a lift back into Cardigan with a farmer, a nieghbour of my hosts, who was taking some sheep to the abbatior. I left Cardigan heading towards Fishguard, where I had lunch. I then cycled down to St Davids. Once I had passed Croesdoch, the landscape started to resemble the remote part of Scotland, although there were more farms. At the entrance to St Davids, there was a big sign saying WELCOME TO ST DAVIDS, BRITAINS SMALLEST CITY. It was lovely to see the quay there, I looked around for about an hour. The city is as small as a big village, not even as big as the village I live in, Burton! There were lots of tourists speaking various languages. I saw the Cathedral, and next to it the ruins of an older cathedral. Going into the cathedral courtyard, there was a narrow door, and inside there were displayed some conserved pillars from the origional cathedral.
I then followed the A847 towards Haverfordwest, and when I got to Newgale Mark, my host from Sartuday and Sunday nights, called me to say that he had arranged a place for me to stay in Kidwelly. Sometimes my cycling route is subject to where I have accomodation, so I cycled across to Camarthen on the A40 rather than going round the coast.
When I got to Camarthen it was already getting dark. I got into a restaurant to have a bite to eat, and found, when they brought the menu, that most of the items were untouchable. So I ordered soup of the day, and sat outside so I could see my bike. The Spanish waiter who served me noticed the flag on the back of my bike, and asked me about my ride. When he came out again to take my bowl he told me that I didn't have to pay for my soup!
Unfortunately my bike lights weren't working, despite the fact that I had put new batteries in them, so my host for that night, Pete, kindly picked my up there, putting my bike on the bike rack. This morning I had a lift back to Camarthen on the way to Pete's work. I am very grateful to Pete and Frances for their hospitality last night.
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, go to www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Sunday 13th August

Since starting my cycle ride I have discovered how important it is to have a day of rest and renew my strength. The family I was staying with took me to their church, Zion Baptist, which was very welcoming. The morning service was really good, with a great preacher. There were lots of holiday makers there too. My host family had arranged for me to have lunch with another family, who also had a farm. It was really special to meet a true Welsh family, who had been born and raised in the local area, and they spoke with a special accent! The food we ate was mainly produced on the land, really delicious.
During the evening service the pastor of the church invited me to speak for a short while about Fulani Minstries and about my cycle ride. I would like to thank the church for the opportunity I had to share with them, and for their encouragement.
This morning the neighbour of my host family was taking some sheep to the abatoir, so I got a lift with him and the sheep, in a trailer, back to Cardigan. I will be passing through St Davids today, for the full Welsh experience!

Day thirtysix, August 12th; Dolgellau to Cardigan

Start: Dolgellau at 9:30 Finish: Cardigan at 8:30 Distance:78 miles
Alan's wife and family were away on a beach mission, so only Alan was home. After breakfast with him he prayed with me and I set off. It was a hilly start, as I was in the region of Cader Idris which is 892 feet above sea level. My wife says that she has climbed this mountain twice with her family. It was along climb, and I was mainly doing 4mph or less. I was 'climbing' for about 5 miles, then it was downhill most of the way to Machynlleth. After that hill start I was hungry, so I had an early lunch there.
I turned towards Aberystwth. When I got to Rydd y Pennan I had an excellent view looking down to Aberystwyth, with the blue sea and blue sky. In Bow Street I met a grandma and her three year old grandson; the little boy asked me if I was PC Plaid, several times. His grandma told me that PC Plaid is a cartoon character!
In Aberystwyth I looked up Rev. Geoff Thomas; I was due to stay at his house the previous night, but Dolgellau was a more cyclable distance. Rev Thomas welcomed me at his house, where I stayed to talk with him and his family for about 20 minutes. They encouraged me, prayed for me, and arranged for me to stay with a family from the Zion Baptist church in Cardigan, for Saturday and Sunday.
When I got to Cardigan it was 8:00, and dark already, I noticed that the nights are drawing in now. I was confused by the signs coming into Cardigan, since the town is not called 'Cardigan' in Welsh. The signs said ABERTFI and CARDIGAN on the same sign. When I got into the town I called my host, who came to pick me up with a bike rack on his car. The family I was staying with have a farm, where they raise cows and sheep.
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, go to: www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!