Round Britain Sponsored Bike Ride

Day fortysix, August 25th; Weymouth to Bournemouth

2006-08-26T18:32:00.000+01:00

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

2006-08-26T11:43:00.000+01:00

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

2006-08-24T15:33:00.000+01:00

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

2006-08-23T22:44:00.000+01:00

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

2006-08-22T15:14:00.000+01:00

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

2006-08-22T14:38:00.000+01:00

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

2006-08-22T12:46:00.000+01:00

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

2006-08-22T12:07:00.000+01:00

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

2006-08-17T21:54:00.000+01:00

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

2006-08-17T20:49:00.000+01:00

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

2006-08-15T18:06:00.000+01:00

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

2006-08-14T19:25:00.000+01:00

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

2006-08-14T18:41:00.000+01:00

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!

Day thirtyfive, August 11th; Gwalchmai, Anglesey, to Dolgellau

2006-08-12T07:00:00.000+01:00

Start: Gwalchmai at 7:30 Finish: Dolgellau at 5:30 Distance: 68 miles
Thank you to Tim and Hannah and their family for having me at their home, it was good to get to know them and to see Pastor Gordon Roberts and his wife, from Grimsby again. Before I left Hannah made a sandwich for my journey.
Back on the mainland I cycled down to Camarthen, then took the A4085 down to Penryndeudraeth. I crossed the bridge there and joined a cycle track, which used to be a railway line, parallel to the coast road all the way to Dolgellau. My ride yesterday was very scenic, not very hilly, and I was impressed again by the long stretch of cycle route that I could follow; the track took me right to the centre of the town! In Dolgellau I went to see Tim, whom I stayed with the night before, at his place of work. When he finished he took me to his friend Alan, where I stayed the night.
I am doiong this ride in support of Fulani Minstries. To support, please go to: www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day thirtyfour, August 10th; Llandudno to Gwalchmai, Anglesey

2006-08-11T19:49:00.000+01:00

Start: Llandudno at 2:00 Finish: Gwalchmai at 6:30 Distance: 45 miles
Before I left on Thursday I had my saddle changed; since it had broken just before the Scottish border ithad steadily got worse and more uncomfortable. I left quite late, as I did not have so far to cycle that day. Martin, my host, accompanied me up to a cycle track, on which I cycled all the way to near Bangor. Really the cycle tracks are so good around here, and go for so long. I had a nice view of Great Ormes Head as I cycled.
I crossed the Brittania bridge onto Anglesey. I saw many sheep, and discovered that people speak alot of Welsh around here. I said on Wednesday that I would give a translation of the signs in Welsh. Well SAFLE BUS means BUS STOP and the sentence is translated 'It is an offense not to clean up after your dog in this area'!
When I arrived at my hosts for the night I was surprised to be welcomed by the Pastor from Grimsby! I had been to Grimsby Baptist church the Sunday after my accident in Tetney, and had had lunch at his home. I was staying with Tim and Hannah, their son and daughter in law, and Rev and Mrs Gordon Roberts were having a holiday there! It was great to catch up with them, and to meet their family. Tim is a great cyclist, he has cycled much of Britian, and has cycled from Portugal to London, and in the Pyrenees. He helped me plan my route for Friday, and to arrange my accomodation.
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, go to www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day thirtythree, August 9th; Chester to Llandudno

2006-08-09T22:18:00.000+01:00

Start: Chester at 8:00 Finish: Llandudno at 5:30 Distance: 48 miles
I cycled along the cycle track that Paul had shown me, from Chester, and before I had done two miles I was in Wales. I am fascinated by the Welsh language, and it seems to me it is like Hebrew because they use alot of consonants together when they write the words. After I had cycled a little while I stopped to look at a sign to try to figure out how to read the words. Just then a man cycled up behind me, all out of breath. He said that he was so glad I had stopped, that he had been trying to catch me up for two miles! I said I was sorry, if I had known I would have stopped to speak with him. He said he had seen what is written on my back and wanted to speak to me about long distance cycling, since he was planning to to do the Lands End to John O'Groats next year. He said that he wanted to raise money for the charity 'mind', and told me that his brother had committed suicide. Presumably the charity had been of great support to him. I spent about an hour talking with him, giving him advice on how to prepare for his cycle ride. I advised him just to cycle as much as he could each day. When I said that I was riding for a Christian charity, he told me that he was a Jehovah's Witness! He said he hadn't been baptised yet but he was certain that it was true. He started talking about his religion, and I said look, we can discuss theology or we can talk about cycling, I don't mind either, which do you want? He said he wanted to talk about cycling so we did. As I left him I offered to pray for him. He was quite emotional then, as I prayed for him on this cycle track. He said that I had made the Lands End to John O'Groats ride so simple for him to achieve, and that he was even more determined to undertake it!
I faced a headwind all the way today, and even though the terrain was flatter, I managed only 8mph most of the way. I went from Flint to Prestatin, Rhyl and Abergele, then took the A547 to Colwyn bay, and then the B5115 to Llandudno. I came here last August, and it was good to be back with my friends Martin and Jenny Lloyd. I cycled up the promenade and found my was easily to their home. I was looking forwards to seeing them and to have some rest as for the last few days I have been cycling over 100 miles each day. Thank you Martin and Jenny together with your family for offering me some accommodation. Martin and Jenny encourage the production of Easy-To-Read Bible Texts and Commentaries in many languages: www.easyBible.org
As I said, I am quite impressed by the Welsh language. For those of you reading the blog, have a guess at the meaning of these words: SAFLE BWS. And here is a sentence for those who are more keen: MAE'N DROSEDD PEIDIO GLANHAU AR OL EICH CI YN YR ARDAL HON. I will give a translation tomorrow!
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To support, go to www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day thirtytwo, August 8th; Morecambe to Chester

2006-08-09T19:12:00.000+01:00

Start: Morecambe at 9:00 Finish: Chester at 10:30 Distance: 108 miles
Yesterday morning Brian was heading to Cumbria, to walk in the hills there with a friend. As I left Brian and Sandra's daughter in law took my picture by the sea. I set off towards Lancaster, then followed the A588, heading to Knott-End-on-Sea to catch the ferry there. On the outskirts of Cockerham I saw a plane dropping parachutes over a field. I watch the parachutists land, and was impressed at how they could land so gracefully on their feet and carry on walking.
Just before Pilling I met Norman, who was out on his bike. I was going to take the main road but Norman said he would show me the scenic route along Morecambe Bay. We cycled on a cycle path overlooking the bay, where there was an expanse of flat wet sand. I remembered that this is where the Chinese cockle pickers died. Norman told me all about the bay and about local history. In the winter the water comes right up to the path, and the bay can be dangerous. Norman told me that there are huge cut rocks placed in the bay to break the waves. We cycled right up to Knott End, but unfotunately found that the ferry was not working, due to engine trouble. Fleetwood, over the other side, is only 300 yds away, but I now had to cycle the long way round!
I said good bye to Noman, and I remembered the other times I had met people to cycle with, like the Chinese man in Sunderand, and Phil in Colchester. I then headed down to Blackpool through Poulton-le-Flyde. I had lunch and then wanted to cycle along the promenade; Blackpool was full of tourists and none of them knew their way around when I asked for directions! When I got to the promenade the sight was quite amazing, it is busy like Bournemouth beach front in summer, only on a grander scale, buzzing with all sorts of people, including many foriegners. There were amusement arcades, bouncy castles, and a big rollercoaster. You could hear the people screaming on it as the rollercoaster went round, from a distance. There was also a great variety of modes of transport on the promenade- a bus lane, a tramway, a cycle lane, a path for pedestrians, and also a lane for horse and cart! It was fascinating to see the carts being driven around with the horses, one driver even had his dog with him on the platform. It is the first time I have see a tramway in Britain, the other place I have seen trams is in Austria.
I spent a while in Blackpool, looking around. I then cycled over to Preston, then to Wigan and Warrington. In Wigan a black cloud passed over and it rained heavily for 10 minutes. I really got soaked. It started drizzling not long after, and by the time I got to Helsby it was raining heavily, and dark. When my host, Paul, called me about 10, I was really tired. He gave me directions to his house in Chester, and came out to the end of the road to meet me. He gave me supper when I arrived, at 10:45, which I thouroughly apprecited. Thank you, Paul, for your hospitality last night.
This morning Paul left for work at around 8, so I left with him and he drove ahead of me to an off road cycle track, on which I cycled for 7 miles.
My meditation yesterday was on Luke 8, about the woman touching Jesus cloak, and about the healing of Jiarus daughter. I was struck by the woman's expectant but secret faith, and the way she did what she did, not really feeling worthy or very strong. It seemed like an impossible situation for the woman, as she had seen doctors for years about her problem. Even the dead girl was raised to life; with God all things are possible. Where we think 'we can't' God can transform the situation!
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, please go to: www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

day thirtyone, August 7th; Cockermouth to Morecambe

2006-08-08T22:32:00.000+01:00

Start: Cockermouth at 7:00 Finish: Morecambe at 8:00 Distance: 112 miles
Leaving Cockermouth I cycled along the A5068 to Egremont, avoiding the A66, as there was alot of traffic coming from Penrith, even so early in the morning. I then cycled down to Barrow in Furness. The road down was quite hilly, but the views were lovely; it was good to see the Cumbrian hills, full of sheep! In Barrow I saw alot of chiminies by the sea, it seems none of them are working now. I had lunch in an ASDA there, and carried on to Ulverston. In Ulverston my water bottles were kindly fillled up by a family who I saw sitting in their garden. I have been here before, since I have in laws in Ulverston! I recognised the Barrow monument, a chiminey/lighthouse type tower overlooking the town ontop of a hill.
My meditation yesterday was on Matthew 8, from verse 5, about the faith of the Roman Centurian. He said to Jesus that he didn't deserve for him to come under his roof. I thought about that the whole day, that no matter how important you may be, when you come to God you need to humble yourself before him. I was thinking how important it is for a Christian to be humble himself before God, and that this combination of faith and humility can be so effective; it can 'work wonders'.
At Levens Hall I turned onto the A6, and when I got to Canforth, my host, Brian, met me with his bike! I followed him right up to Morecambe. Brian is a keen cyclist and walker. He has cycled Lands End to John O'Groats 8 times- twice on his own, and six times taking young people with him, since he is a teacher. We had a good time talking together, and he showed me a good route to travel today (Morecambe to Chester).
I would like to thank Brian and his wife Sandra for their hospitality, and thanks to Sandra for washing my clothes! This morning as I set off Brian was heading to Cumbria for some walking/climbing, and their daughter in law took a picture of me by the sea.
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, go to www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Sunday 6th August

2006-08-08T22:19:00.000+01:00

Sunday morning at the hostel I rested, writing postcards and reading my Bible, meditating on the Word of God. I went to a church service at Cockermouth Methodist church. The people there were very welcoming, wanting to know where I am from. During the service a welcome was announced for some visitors from Belarus, all those visiting who were on holiday, and also for me! The pastor and his wife were taking their visitors from Belarus to a hotel for lunch, and they kindly invited me along too.
I couldn't access the hostel until 5:00, so I looked around the town, then back at the hostel I talked with the people on staying there, and with the hostel manager, who was covering the post temporarily while the regular manager was on holiday.

Day thirty, August 5th; Newton Stewart to Cockermouth

2006-08-07T21:59:00.000+01:00

Start: Newton Stewart at 7:40 Finish: Cockermouth at 9:30 Distance: 115 miles
I am thankful to William and Caroline Harrison, who hosted me at the Faith Mission centre. I set off from there towards Dumfries, where I had lunch at KFC. I then cycled down to Annan where I stopped to say hi to the couple who owned the B&B where I had stayed on my Lands End to John O'Groats trip two years ago. In Gretna I saw a sign saying WELCOME TO ENGLAND, CUMBRIA. In Carlisle town centre I was checking my map and got talking to some teenagers, who asked me where I was cycling from. One of them said that he had been to Bournemouth once, when he was visiting his relatives in Poole!
At Thursby I turned inland towards Cockermouth, since my wife had found a youth hostel for me there, for Saturday and Sunday nights.
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, go to: www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day twentynine, August 4th; West Kilbride to Newton Stewart

2006-08-05T23:02:00.000+01:00

Start: West Kilbride at 10:00 Finish: Newton Stewart at 9:00 Distance: 84 miles
After a good breakfast with my hosts, Norman and Jennifer, I set off, following the A78 along the coast. In Prestwick I had lunch in a Morrisons cafe. I met a local man there, who was quite enthusiastic about telling me the best local roads to follow. He knew that I was aiming to cycle round the coast, but on his recomendation I avoided the coast road. He told me that there were alot of road works and also the main roads were full of lorries from Ireland. So I followed B roads down to Girvan, and then followed the A714 down to Newton Stewart, so I didn't go to Stranraer.
Around the village of Creebank I saw a group of teenagers. One of them asked if I had a light, and I didn't understand his accent. I had to ask him to repeat before I caught what he said. Then I said that I had never smoked in my life and that he would be better off if he didn't smoke!
It was quite drizzly yesterday, and cold. the rain wasn't heavy but I was quite wet by the time I got to my destination. I stayed at the Faith Mission centre, with Willam and Caroline Harrison. There are youth camps at the centre throughout the the summer. When I arrived, on the Friday evening, a group of about 40 children had just left that afternoon, and they were preparing for the next lot to come on Monday.
I would like to thank Mr and Mrs Harrison very much for their hospitality last night. Today I am heading for Carlisle- in England!
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, go to: www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day twentyeight, July 3rd; Dumbarton to West Kilbride

2006-08-04T16:47:00.000+01:00

Start: Dumbarton at 10:00 Finish: West Kilbride at 5:00 Distance: 44 miles
I had arrived late at Brian and Christine's house, having done 109 miles on Wednesday. I am really grateful for their hospitality, and it was great to catch up with them again. After breakfast Brian took me back to the church, where I had kept my bike. He told me that Dumbarton means 'sons of rock' and gave me some tracts that their church had written on this theme. He showed me around and prayed with me before I set off. Then he drove infront of me to show me the way to the Erskine bridge, for which I was really grateful, since 2 years ago I had gotten lost in Glasgow trying to find my way there, and had spent an hour or so just going around the city's one way system! I followed a cycle lane up to then bridge. In a park just before the bridge I met a couple from the Czech Republic. They were coming from the bridge heading to Dumbarton, and I was going to the bridge, so we were able to exchange information about directions.
I cycled up to Port Glasgow where I had a lunch of fish and chips. I then went up to Greenock and cycled along the A78. In Wemyss bay there seemed to be alot of construction going on. There was a road which was partially closed due to some new flats which were being built. There was a que of cars around the temporary trafic lights. As I was cycling on the cycle path, I was able to ride past almost a mile of standing traffic!
In the countryside surrounding West Kilbride I found that there was a festival of scarecrows. I saw plenty of scarecrows,including a Spiderman, some children playing, and a policeman. I arrived in the town around 5:00, where I was welcomed by my hosts Norman and Jennifer. A lady from Dalry also came to see me there, called Mari. Her husband used to work in Nigeria, and she knew a number of missionaries from that area. We found that we had some mutual friends.
I had a good time with my hosts, and I would like to thank them for their hospitality. Jennifer kindly washed my clothes for me, which was wonderful as they were quite smelly!
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, go to www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day twentyseven, August 2nd; Oban to Dumbarton

2006-08-04T15:28:00.000+01:00

Start: Oban at 10:00 Finish: Dumbarton at 1:00 Distance: 109 miles
Leaving Oban I cycled along the A816. This road had only gentle hills, and was more populated with villages than the roads in previous days. It was mainly dry, but drizzling from time to time. At some points I was facing a headwind, and at others a strong sidewind.
Kilmartin was quite touristy, as there seemed to be alot to see. I stopped in the car park of one of the attractions, the Temple Woods Stone Circle, to eat my lunch of doughnuts and natural yoghurt from coop. In the context of cycling this is a healthy diet! It doesn't take long to use up this feul either. When I finished eating I went to look at the signs about the attraction. It is a bit like Sbut not so big. Apparently the stones were a remains of a Scottish village from 5000 BC, which was part of a kingdom. I saw a family spreading out their picnic and I said hello as I passed. When they heard where I had begun my ride they said that they were from Dorset. I said so, you are Southerners then, and then they said I shouldn't say that so loud as people in this area don't like Southerners! Well I don't origionate from England or Scotland so I am neutral on these issues!
I carried on down to Lochgilphead, then up towards Inverarray and Glasgow. Carrick was more hilly, and I saw several waterfalls. The sound of the falling water was quite powerfull. Around this area a fire and rescue car passed me, then turned around and came back to me. The driver asked if I needed some water. I thanked them and said I had enough for the moment. He told me to be careful in the road ahead, as it had lots of bends, and cars tended to speed around the bends. This was good advice and I saw that it was true, I even saw a car which had driven into the concrete barricade at the side of the road, with smashed glass everywhere.
Inverarry is a beautiful town, and looks like it was a walled city. The architecture is very impressive, especially the town hall, an imposing building in the middle of the town. I saw a sign saying INVERARRY JAIL OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND and I wondered whether this was referring to a historic attraction or the actual jail.
In Cairndow I stopped in a shop to buy a gift for my hosts. The shopkeeper told me about 'rest and be thankful' a road going up Ben Ime mountain. I asked where I should rest, and the shopkeeper told me I would find out! The slope was not so steep but very long, I was cycling at 4mph, and resting from time to time. Going down the other side I did 25mph all the way down, so the midges weren't bothering me anymore, and I didn't have to pedal for 5 miles!
I then went through a forest, and the temperature suddenly dropped. I started to experience pain in my arm where I had hurt it in Grimsby. This happens whenever I get cold now. The following stretch of road was undulating, with lots of signs warning of 'blind summits' The cars were meant to slow down but they didn't!
From Helesburgh I saw the lights of Glasgow in the distance. It is really a great feeling to know that there is a bed to sleep in at the end of the day. I soon got to Dumbarton, where I stayed with friends Brian and Christine. Brian is a baptist minister. He met me at the Baptist Church, where I kept my bike, then drove me over to his house. Christine served me some spagetti bolognaise, and we caught up with each other's news.
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, go to: www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day twentysix, August 1st; Armadale (Isle of Skye) to Oban

2006-08-02T21:22:00.001+01:00

Start: Armadale at 8:50 Finish: Oban at 10:00 Distance: 91 miles
My meditation yesterday morning was on 1 Corinthians 13, the passage about love. I prayed for a man I had met, who had commented that he thought the devil is more interesting than God. The youth hostel was only 2 minutes away from the ferry terminal, so I cycled over to catch the 8:50 ferry over to the mainland. The crossing took 25 minutes. It was a big ferry, for both cars and foot passengers. In Mallaig I had a look around the town- it was clearly a fishing town. I saw the 'Royal Fisherman's Mission to Deep Seas' building. They had a cafe so I went in to have a look. I met the manager, who explained to me the history of this mission. It had been founded in Victorian times by someone called 'Ebenezer', and had origionaly been concerned with the wellfare of fishermen and sailors, some of whom died alone out at sea. The mission was also concerned with the plight of children who were employed in the fishing trade, and also with the fact that at the time there was alot of addiction to rum, which was sold by Dutch traders from their boats. Queen Victoria became a patron of the mission, hence why it is 'royal'. The manager told me that the mission had involvement with a project in Ghana, and was interested to meet someone who comes from a country near Ghana. I was inspired by the response of Christians in the past to these issues in their society, and thought that there is so much need that the body of Christ can respond to, providing a holistic service to people in need.
I left Mallaig around 11:00, and followed the A830. It was a good road, though it became a single track at some points.Turning inland I followed the road through a wooded valley, with huge mountians on either side. The road was quite high up on the hilside, and there was a railway running far beneath at the bottom of the valley. It was so peaceful there, and the scenery so special; I saw a huge waterfall at one point. The day was a little drizzly, and as I looked up I could see dark clouds moving overhead. However it didn't rain yesterday. The road wasn't hilly but quite twisty.
As I was cycling through this glen, a powerful noise shook me, and I almost fell off my bike. When I heard the noise again I saw the planes first, before I heard the noise- two RAF planes were flying very low through the valley, I thought they were so low they could almost hit the trees; the noise really shattered the silence.
As I cycled further I heard a loud squeeking noise, and I thought that it was a lorry putting on its brakes. I looked behind me and there was nothing there. Then I looked down into the valley and saw a steam train running by letting off a great plume of steam.
I arrived in Fort William in the afternoon, and I remembered when I had passed through two years ago. At that time it had been dark already. It was good to see Ben Nevis- a huge mountain- in the daytime. I saw the cliff cars taking people up the mountainside. In Fort William everything (shops, restaurants, B&Bs) are named after Ben Nevis! It reminded me of St Andrews, where it seems all shops are named after something to do with golf. I went to a Morrisons to have a lunch/dinner in the cafe.
When I set off I followed the A82 down to Oban. From before Connel I looked for B&Bs, but they were all full. I got to Oban before 10:00. My wife had called around the B&Bs and the youth hostels, but everything was booked up. I looked around, everywhere there were signs with 'no vacancies'. Finally I saw the 'Balmoral Inn', and even though there was a 'no vacancies' sign, I went in to enquire. They had a double room left, and the receptionist told me it would be £37.50 I said 'that much! All the other places I passed are £15 or £20, so what has your room got to offer that these other ones haven't got?' I also said that I wasn't on holiday, so she shoudn't charge me so much. The receptionist told me that I should go and look on the streets where the other B&Bs are. I said no, I've already been there, besides its starting to rain. She told me she didn't think that her boss would reduce the price for me as he was a bit mean! As I went to my room, however, a man at the door gave me £5 towards the price of the room!
This morning after breakfast I went to settle my bill. The manager, as it happens, is from Zimbabwe. He only charged me £10 for the night! I left around 9:30, and went to a coop to buy some doughnuts and some yoghurt for the road. People might not think doughnuts are healthy but they are good cycling food.
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, go to www.fulanminstries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day twentysix, August 1st; Armadale (Isle of Skye) to Oban

2006-08-02T21:22:00.000+01:00

Day twentyfive, July 31st; Gairloch to Armadale (Isle of Skye)

2006-08-01T09:40:00.000+01:00

Start: Gairloch at 10:00 Finish: Armadale at 9:50 Distance: 92 miles
As I left Gairloch Donnie cycled with me for the first 7 miles. He said he had to brush the dust off his bike as he hadn't cycled in 18 months! As we cycled Donnie advised me to take the A832 to Achnasheen, since the coast road was not in such good condition. I was heading for the Isle of Skye, down to Armadale from where I will take a ferry back to the mainland.
I cycled along Loch Maree, which is really quiet and peaceful, then through Glen Docharty (Glen in Scotland is a valley). The road was new and smooth. As I got the end of the loch, however, I saw a strange sight, which I had also seen on Saturday. I heard them from a long way off, sounding like a swarm of bees. The cars whizzed past me all in a row, 15 sports cars with lisence plates from different countries. They were really doing very high speeds.
Rain had been forecast yesterday, and as I cycled thorugh the glen the black clouds were gathering. I was facing a headwind, and it was cold. Nevertheless the glen was really beautiful, infact the in all my cycling in Scotland nature has been so beautiful, and the air seems pure. Yesterday I was singing to myself 'O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the works thy hand has made..' My reading that morning had been from Matthew 6.
As soon as I reached Achnasheen the rain started pouring, and it rained on me for the next 60 miles! The youth hostel was due to close at 10:30, so I was keen to get there before then.
By the time I got to to Strathcarron station I was really hungry. I had had two bananas and two bags of crisps, given to me by my hosts, but it was hard to find shops to get anything else- the villages you might see on the map often consist of only a few houses! In Strathcarron Station I saw a restaurant, it was surounded by trees. It may have been pouring with rain but it didn't stop the midges! As I was parking my bike a swarm of them surrounded me, I was quite concerned to get away from them and was glad to get inside the restaurant, When I was brought the menu I asked for fish and chips. I was told that the fish at this restaurant wasn't battered. I asked the price and they said £15.95! I said a fish, minus the good bit, costs £15.95! So I chose the cheapest option on the menu, which was soup of the day with a roll.
For the next stretch of road there were a series of steep hills. As I was pushing my bike I was concerned that I would slip on the wet road.
The Skye bridge is visible from a distance. When I crossed into the Isle of Skye it was still raining. I thought to myself that these Islanders do have a great rainy season! On the road down to Armadale I saw some deer by the side of the road. I noticed that they have a very elegant way of jumping.
I got to the Youth Hostel at ten to ten, I was really pleased, but I arrived wet and soggy! I was really hungry, so I asked if there was any restaurant, pub, or shop where I could get some food. I was told no, and that the pub stopped serving at 10:00! There was, however, a shelf in the hostel where they kept food that people had left, and that I could help myself. I found rice, lentils, and spagetti, and I boiled them all up together, with some salt and chilli powder! A family from Glasgow arrived in the kitchen, and commented that my cooking smelt really good! I invited them to eat with me if they wanted. They said they had bought food from a shop, and they had plenty left over too. They left some food on the table for me, so I took a piece of quiche to have with my rice dish. Just as I sat down in the dining room to eat, the German receptionist announced in a loud voice that everyone should vacate the dining room as she was turning the lights out in 10 minutes! So I went the kitchen to eat and wash up. I put my clothes in the drying room overnight.
In the morning I heated up the leftovers to eat before I set off. There was a Korean family in the kitchen too, cooking their noodles. So the kitchen was full of nice smells! Today I am heading for the ferry, crossing back over to the mainland.
I would like to thank all you who are reading this blog regularly, and thank you for your comments. I have not been able to access the internet since I was in St Andrews, but my wife is writing the blog and relating to me all your encouraging comments. I know that I am the one doing the cycle ride, but we are really working as a team, with your prayers and encouragement helping me on.
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, go to: www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Sunday 30th July

2006-07-31T23:24:00.000+01:00

I stayed with my hosts, Donnie and Janet, for Saturday and Sunday night. They took me to church in the morning, a Church of Scotland. It was good to see many young families there. There were alot of visitors, too, people on holiday. The minister was away on his holidays, so an elder of the church preached. He spoke from Joel 2. During the service it was announced that there was a visitor from Burkina Faso! After the service a lady and her family came to speak to me. The lady, who is a teacher, told me that her class had been studying Burkina Faso recently. For once I didn't have to explain where Burkina Faso is on the map! I was pleased to find that the people of the church also knew of Burkina Faso, since they knew Pat, the former missionary to Burkina Faso (whom I had met at CLAN). One member of the congregation had even been to visit her there.
Donnie had gone to preach in Dundonnel, and then we had been invited to the home of a famly from the church. Janet and myself went to the family's home, in Laide (I had cycled through this village on Saturday) and Donnie joined us there. Their living room has a big window looking over to the Island of Gruinard. The food was so tasty, since it was all home grown produce!
After lunch we went to an evening service (5:00) in the village of Aultbea. After the service I met an Australian lady called Jenny, who is a missionary in Kenya. She had cycled around Britain when whe was 50, 16 years ago! It had taken her a few months as she was camping and walking through some parts. She had also cycled around some of the islands. Donnie and Janet also told me that they know someone who prayer walked around Britian, walking 20 miles a day. It had taken him two years.
After this service we went to a 'songs of praise' service at the Church of Scotland where we had been in the morning. People in the congregation chose the songs we sung. The man leading the worship is an MAF pilot, he will be going out to Uganda with his family on Thursday! During the service he interviewed me about my bike ride, and the church prayed for me.
I found out that the church here is organising a sponsored bike ride of 100 miles in support of a mission in Romania. I was really happy to come to a church who are interested and active in mission work, and also keen on cycling!
I would like to thank Donnie and Janet for their warm welcome to me and their hospitality. I really enjoyed my stay with them and the fellowship at the churches.

Day twentyfour, July 29th; Ullapool to Giarloch

2006-07-31T22:17:00.000+01:00

Start: Ullapool at 10:00 Finish: Gairloch at 5:40 Distance: 57 miles
Setting off from Ullapool I followed Loch Broom down to Braemore, then turned onto the A832, near the Falls of Measach. I saw glimpses of the falls through the trees as I was riding, then I came to a viewpoint- it was wonderful to see this waterfall, the sound of the falling water was really majestic.
At Gruinard there is a viewpoint looking over to Gruinard Island; a huge car park filled with cars with foriegn number plates. People were walking along the sandy beach. I was told that Gruinard Island had been used by the MoD (Ministry of Defence)during World War II to test Anthrax. Apparently anthrax is no longer a threat but the island is still uninhabited.
I stopped on the bridge in the village to eat my jam sandwich- the bread and raspberry jam I had bought in Durness- overlooking the river and the falls nearby. Looking down into the water I could clearly see fish swimming upstream, against the flow of the falls.
In Aultbea I could see the Isle of Ewe, which is inhabited; I was told that big boats stop there to refuel. I went past the Inverewe Gardens, and wished I could stop and look around for longer.
I arrived at the home of Donnie and Janet Macrae before 6:00. I was tired as I had cycled against the wind for most of the day. I had a wonderful meal- rice and chicken! The last time I had rice was from a Chinese takeaway in Golspie, a week earlier. Donnie and Janet are friends of Pat and Wilf Urquhart, and my stay here was arranged through them, for which I am very grateful. (Pat was the lady I met at CLAN, who had been a missionary in Burkina Faso.
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, go to www.fulaniministries.org/donate Thank you!

Day twentythree, July 28th; Durness to Ullapool

2006-07-28T17:49:00.000+01:00

Start: Durness at 9:45 Finish: Ullapool at 8:00 Distance: 71 miles
The Youth Hostel was a good place to stay, cheap with nice facilities, but one problem was the snoring! I shared a room with 9 other people, and there was an orchestra of it all night, I didn't sleep much as a result. There were highland games in Durness today, so alot of people have come to this remote town. I didn't stay to watch as they weren't starting until 12:00. I bought some food in the Spar shop, since the Youth Hostel is self catering, and since I was not likely to pass many shops during my ride today I bought a loaf of bread, some jam and a cake for my lunch. The food here is quite expensive, and the petrol is £1.09 per litre!
As soon as I set off it started raining, and it rained on me the whole day. I got quite soaked. Like yesterday, the hills were not steep but long and exhausting. My bike chain fell off near Scourie and
got tangled up. As I was mending it a lady cycled past with a very well loaded bike. She said she was on holiday from Canada. The lady, Daine,offered to help me but I was managing ok. She was heading towards Durness, and I advised her that the Youth Hostel was the only place that was available to stay.
The villages in this area are quite far apart; once I cycled for 39 miles without seeing any houses of animals. There were, however, cars going up to Durness for the games. This part of the country is so beautiful, with wide open spaces, rocky mountains, and streams and waterfalls in the rocks. There is also a really deep silence- I shouted 'hallelujah!' and heard my voice echo around the hills. I couldn't help but think of Psalm 8, that I read yesterday.
My water ran out near Inchnadamph, and I knocked at the home of an old lady to ask her to refill my bottles for me. About 10 miles later it started raining very heavily, so I was forced to put on my raincoat, which I don't normally wear because it makes me too hot.
Around there I met a young couple, Dave and Marrianne, cycling up to Durness for the games. They had well loaded bikes too. Dave's chain had broken, but unfortunately I didn't have the tools to help him mend it. Soon afterwards I heard from my wife that there were no vacancies in Ullapool (from the B&B listings on yell.com), or in the surrounding area, not even in the Youth Hostel!
I cycled into Ulapool, and started looking around. I checked in the Youth Hostel just incase, and they told me that July and August are bad times of year for accomodation here. As I cycled on I passed many B&B's, all full, but then I found one with a 'vacancies' sign! It was really a relief, as I was really tired and wet too. The lady had a double room which she reduced in price for me.
Today I am setting out for Gairloch, where I have a people to stay with for Saturday and Sunday. I really like setting off when I know there is a place for me to stay, and people to meet, and I don't have to think about finding a place when I get to my destination.
I am doing this bike ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To suport, go to: www.fulaniminstries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day twentytwo, July 27th; Olrig House (Castletown) to Durness

2006-07-27T15:00:00.000+01:00

Start: Olrig House (Castletown) at 9:00 Finish: Durness 9:00 at Distance: 81 miles
I had a great send off from Oliver and Valerie's home- their two grandchildren Tom (4) and Emily (6) waved scottish flags as we left. I was accompanied in my ride by Jeffery, a young man from Wick Baptist Church. About 60 miles down the road, however, I had a puncture! I repaired the puncture but decided that the tire was so worn that I had better have it replaced. We cycled into Thurso (6 miles) where I got a new tire at 'The Bike Shop', the shop where the repair to my rear axel had been done. The shop owner, Sam, kindly did not charge me for labour, and also gave me some 'energy gel' to help me over the hills. I finally left Thurso at 11:45, and Jeffery cycled with me for 20 miles, up to a place called Beinn Ruadh (just past Reay). In Reay I noticed that the price of petrol is £1.06 per litre. This is quite incredible considering the amont of oil rigs there are around here! Well I am cycling, and a bottle of water costs me 33p per litre (66p for 2litres) but most of the time I get it for free!
Just after Jeffery left I met Ben, the friend I had cycled with from John O'Groats. He was driving back from a walk along the beach with his wife, Catherine. He told me that the B&B's in Durness (where I was aiming to stay that night) are booked up, so I should try the Youth Hostel there.
I had lunch in Melvich, then set out again- this time the terrain became more hilly, as Ben had told me it would. The hills were not as steep as in Scarborough, but they had long, gradual inclines. It was also very misty, and there were alot of midges (I had to keep cycling to avoid getting too bitten). When I was cycling around Loch Eriboll, there were thick black clouds all around, then the sun shone through a break in the clouds onto a hillside- it was really beautiful. I really saw the beiuty of creation yesterday, the mointains were magnificent and elegant. I saw a cloud reasting on a mountaintop like heaven touching earth, and I couldn't help but worship God. My meditation that morning had been on Psalm 8 'When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place..'.
In these parts it is so remote that you can hear the silence; I tried shouting a few times and heard my echo. In some parts there are not even any trees or animals, just moorland for miles around. You can hear cars approaching on the single track road from a long way away. When I got to Laid I saw the strangest garden decoration I have ever seen- someone had put all sorts of skulls on thin poles all around his garden.
When I got to Durness I was really hungry. I went into the Smoo cave hotel to get something to eat. I asked the waitress to bring me some food that would really fill me up, so I ate a big plate of Haggis, potatoes and vegetables! When I went up to pay there was a group of friends sitting together, and one of them offered to pay for my food, for which I am really grateful. This group had come to Durness for the Highland Games, due to take place tomorrow. They even offered for me to have a dessert but the Haggis had really filled me up!
I then went to the Youth Hostel, where my wife had booked a bed for me- my name was on my bed! Tomorrow I am cycling through more remote areas, and hoping to get to Ullapool. I would like to thank Jeffery for cycling with me, Ben for his great advice on the roads here, and Oliver and Valerie Vellacott for their kind hospitality.
I am doing this ride in suport of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, go to www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Wednesday 26th July

2006-07-27T14:53:00.000+01:00

Yesterday for me was a day of rest, as in the evening I had been invited to the midweek meeting at Wick Baptist church, where I was interviewed by Oliver Vellacot, the pastor, about my bike ride and Fulani Ministries. It was good to see familiar faces again. During the meeting we prayed for Hugh, the man who had had the serious accident (I previously thought that his name was Dunn). Hugh has now come out of his coma, is able to walk and is back in Wick hospital, however he is still not completely healed. Please continue to pray.
I would like to thank Valerie Vellacott for washing all my clothes for me, they were quite smelly!
I am doing the round Britain sponsored bike ride in suport of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, go to www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day twentyone, July 25th; Wick to Castleown

2006-07-26T16:04:00.000+01:00

Start: Wick at 10:00 Finish: Castletown at 6:00 Distance: 35 miles approximately
In the morning I was going to wait until the bike shop in town opened at 10:00, but when I spoke to Oliver he told me that the bike shop doesn't do repairs, and that he had arranged for the bike to be mended in the town near his home.
So I left Wick, cycling up to Freswick where I went to visit writer Murray Watts, at Freswick Castle. Murray has written, among other things, the script for 'The Miracle Maker'. He has a big vision for the expression of the Gospel message through the creative arts. I spent about two hours with Murray and his colleagues at the castle, they showed me their workshops and explained the work they are doing (for more information see www.freswickcastle.com ). Murray gave me a copy of his latest book, a collection of Bible stories for adult readership, and as I was leaving, he and his colleagues prayed with me in the chapel.
On the road again it was just a short ride to John O'Groats. I caught up with a cyclist called Phil, who was celebrating his 60th birthday by riding from 'End to End'. He was really delighted that he was able to make it- and in only 12 days. We shared experiences of the road and it brought back alot of memories of two years ago when I had cycled from Lands End to John O'Groats. When we arrived I went with Phil the finish line and took his picture. Then as I sat in the Last House writing postcards, and I was surprised to see my friend Ben McGregor! He had heard that I was due to get to John O'Groats that day, and had come to meet me and cycle with me. We cycled together over to Castletown, Ben took me along a scenic route passing by Castletown harbour. Ben is a keen cyclist, and gave me advice for the road ahead in the North of Scotland, which he knows very well.
I arrived at Oliver and Valerie Vellacott's house around 6, where I found my bike already mended! I am due to stay here two nights, as I speaking tonight (Wednesday) at a midweek meeting.
I would like to thank Murray Watts and friends for welcoming me at Freswick Castle, Ben McGregor for his company on the road, and also to Olver Vellacott for arranging and paying for my bike to fixed Thank you!
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, please go to www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day Twenty, July 24th; Golspie to Wick

2006-07-24T22:54:00.000+01:00

Start: Golspie at 9:00 Finish: Wick at 6:00 Distance: approximately 78 miles
I felt really refreshed as I set out yesterday. It was good to see familiar routes- when I last cycled this way (up to Brora) it had been dark. I also noticed that the there have been alot of road improvements between Helmsdale and Ord of Caithness- wider and smoother roads for safer cycling.
I had cycled 28 miles from Golspie, and it was about 11:30 when my rear axel snapped. This is anopther testimony to God's protection, since a minute beforehand I had been cycling 30mph down a hill; when the rear axel snapped was only doing 4mph uphill, and I didn't even fall off my bike. The consequence was that I couldn't even push my bike. This is not a common occurance, and cyclists do not carry spare rear axels with them! I wondered what to do, and tried to hitchhike, but that didn't work. A cyclist stopped to take a look but he couldn't help me at all. After a while I called Oliver Vellacott, who lives near Thurso. Despite his very busy schedule he drove all the way down to me with his bike, and took mine back with him, for which I am very grateful. Bruce and Hilary, the couple who live in the house near where I had stopped kindly invited me in to their home while I waited for Oliver to come.
I set out again at around 3:30. Oliver's bike does not have a milometer, so the milage for yesterday is an approximation. When I passed a place called Laidhay Croft Museum I went into their coffee shop to have a bite to eat. As I was about to pay the manager of the shop, whop had noticed my bike jacket, told me that I didn't need to pay for my meal! I had intended to go up to John O'Groats, but when I got to Wick I decided to stay there for the night. Tomorrow I will go to stay with Oliver and Valerie in Castletown.
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, go to: www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Sunday 23rd July

2006-07-24T22:32:00.000+01:00

I spent Saturday night in the Bed and Breakfast arranged for me by Yan and his friends. Mrs Teska (Yan's friend's mother in law) came to pick me up in the morning to take me to church, Golspie Free Church of Scotland. I usually associate 'free church' with being more informal, but this was quite formal. There were no instruments, and we sung the Psalms as they are written in the Bible; the song book was called 'New Metrical Version book of Psalms- Scottish Psalter'. During the service we sung Psalms 24, 5, 43, and 96. I accually found the service easier to follow than the high Anglican church service I went to in Old Huntstanton. The minister was on holiday, so we had a lay preacher speaking. He spoke from Matthew 2:1-25, a passage which is normally associated with Christmas. I had not thought about the story of the Magi in the way he expounded it. He explained that the Magi were powerful men- kings- who had used unbiblical means to discover Jesus. They had travelled many miles to see Jesus, and when the saw him they worshipped him and gave gifts. His three main points were: resist the temptation to be comfortable; the Magi travelled many miles to see Jesus. Don't give up; the Magi persevered even though the journey was long. Don't be concieted; the Magi. powerful as they were, worshipped Jesus and gave him gifts. The preacher encouraged the church to pray for missionaries and Christians in the persecuted church, who are not always 'comfortable' in their testimony of Christ.
After church Mrs Teska invited me to her home, along with a friend, for Sunday lunch. After lunch I was really tired. The owner of the B&B, who is related to Mrs Teska by marraige, kindly came to pick me up and take me back to the B&B. I then slept five hours! waking up at 10:00.
I am doing the round Britain ride in support of the work of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor go to: www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you

Day nineteen, July 22nd; Marybank to Golspie

2006-07-22T23:44:00.000+01:00

Start: Marybank at 9:30 Finish: Golspie at 5:30 Distance: 55 miles
After a really good rest I set off, this time accompanied by Bernard. I had a packed lunch to take made by Iona, Bernard's wife. Bernard cycled with me for 12 miles, and showed me the way to the ferry at Cromarty. As we cycled Bernard told me about his family and work- his family had worked with and helped many 'difficult' children over the years.
When the man running the ferry found out I was cycling for charity, he said I wouldn't need to pay for the crossing. He told me that he had been to Mauritania two years before, working for an oil company, but he hadn't got to see much of the country as he had been taken straight to the oil rig.
Bernard had a friend on my route who he wanted me to say hi to- I went to see Jan (Yan). He was doing some mechanical work and greased my chain for me. He said he had heard that I didn't have a place to stay yet that night, and offered me the caravan in his back garden. I thanked him but said I wanted to press on, since the more miles I do each day, the sooner I can get home.
Later on while I was cycling I heard a voice behind me saying 'gooday mate!' A couple were cycling together- the lady was doing the Lands End to John O'Groats for Macmillan (Cancer Relief).She was on day 20, and the man, who is from New Zealand, had joined her for this part. When she found out that I am cycling round Britain, the lady commented that I don't have much stuff with me! We cycled together for about 10 miles, and then they turned off the road to go to see a county fair.
About 18 miles away from Golspie, Jan called me to say that he had arranged a place for me to stay for two nights in Golspie! I am staying here in a B&B, and Jan has arranged for church members to collect me to go to church in the morning.
I would like to thank Jan very much for arranging for me to stay here in Golspie, and thanks also to Bernard who introduced me to his friend.
I am doing this ride in support of the work of Fulani Ministries, and to raise awareness of the physical and spiritual needs of the Fulani People of Africa. To sponor, go to: www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day eighteen, July 21st; Banff to Marybank (nr Inverness)

2006-07-22T22:49:00.000+01:00

Start: Banff at 9:00 Finish: Marybank at 10:30 Distance: 87 miles
Leaving the B&B in Banff, I followed the coast road, towards Cullen, Somewhere on this road I passed a sign saying MORAY COUNTY- COUNTY OF MALT AND WHISKY fortunately I am teetotal :). For a few miles I was joined in my cyle by a man from Northampton. He told me that he is sponsoring a child in Burkina Faso. He owns a caravan in the area, and said that his eight grandchildren were all joining him for their holiday! Cullen is a really beautiful town, by the sea. From there I was intending to go towards Portknockie, but I recieved a call from a friend Oliver Vellacott, who was in Inverness and wanted to come to meet me. We arranged to meet in Fochabers, but unfortunatley I was slowed down by the fact that my basket had broken and I needed to hold on to it with my hands, as well as working the brakes and gears! In the end Oliver and his wife drove over to meet me on the road. It was really good to see them, I am really appreciative of their friendship and of taking time to see me. They had come down from the North of Scotland to visit a member of their congregation, who had been in a serious accident, and is in ITU. To all reading this blog: please pray for healing for this man, named Dunn.
Oliver said that they had seen a shop called 'bike, run and hike' in Fochabers, and by the time I got there my fingers were quite numb from having to hold on to the basket! I went in to the shop to see if I could have the basket mended. The shop didn't do repairs, but I was given a few cable ties and told that there was a big cycle shop in Elgin. The shop owner also gave me £5 sponsorship. In Elgin I went into the Halfords, and they asked where I had bought the basket. When I replied Halfords, they gave me a new basket free of charge!
I saw a family walking and asked the way to Lossiemouth. The man said he was born there, and
he told me about a cylcle path going there. From there I followed the coast road right up to Burghead. Not far from there my water ran out, and I bought a new 2 litre bottle from Spar. I had grown quite attached to the old bottle I had carried all the way from Bognor Regis, and felt a bit sentimental as I got a new one!
Near Nairn I passed a sign saying WELCOME TO THE HIGHLANDS. Just at that moment it started to rain- a true welcome. I stopped in a bus shelter and packed everything in plastic bags. Around the town of Dyke I got a call from Pastor Hann of Bournemouth International Church. He had heard that I was aiming for Inverness and told me he would arrange my accomodation for me. Shortly afterwards I recieved a call from Bernard, Pastor Hann's friend, who told me that they lived 17 miles away from Inverness. I was 20 miles away by that time so I had 37 more to go, and I was already feeling tired. Bernard told me that he lived in Marybank, which is near Dingwall. When I heard the name Dingwall my heart sank, because I had cycled through there two years ago, when I was doing the Lands End to John O'Groats, and I had met some 25% hills! However Bernard told me which route I could go to avoid the hills.
The rain lasted for an hour and then stopped, so I arrived in Inverness dry. The road across the firth was really busy- a lorry passed me once which really made my bike wobble; I was glad to get off this road. At the roundabout in Tore I stopped to adjust my lights. A group of teenagers came over to me, asking me if I was looking for directions. When I said I was going to Marybank they said 'where's that?'- so I showed them on the map! As I was nearing Marybank Bernard came to meet me in his car, as it was getting late and raining alot. He took my basket and showed me shortcut. I am really grateful to Iona and Bernard for their hospitality, and also to Pastor Hann for arranging for me to stay with them.
I am doing this ride for Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, go to: www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day seventeen, July 20th; Peterculter (Aberdeen) to Banff

2006-07-21T12:34:00.000+01:00

Start: Peterculter at 9:00 Finish: Banff at 9:40 Distance 85 miles
I followed the directions Mr Cordiner had printed out for me through Aberdeen,and headed up to Peterhead along the coast road. In Newburgh I saw a Church of Scotland where they were holding a coffee morning. I went in to get myself some orange juice and was offered the remains of the cakes for a small donation. I started talking to the pastors wife who told me they knew a lady who used to be a missionary in Burkina Faso. It turned out to be Pat, the lady I had met at CLAN.
In Peterhead I found a Fish & Chips shop with a sign that said 'voted #1 UK Fish & Chips'. However I bought chicken and chips instead, and ate it in St Fergus, a few miles down the road. All through the day I was reflecting on the words of the song which Mrs Cordiner had sung to me in the morning, 'May God's blessing surround you each day..' I felt that indeed God's blessing was surrounding me, and even when I don't realise it, his blessing is all around me.
In Fraserhead I met up with a policeman, the family friend who I had met at the Cordiner's house the night before. Kevin came from his work to see me, and we talked for about 20 minutes. He was really very encouraging. He gave me his card, saying if anything happened to me in his jurisdiction, I should give him a call. He also told me about the coast road, as I was thinking of avoiding it due to some hills- he said the hills weren't that bad. He went back to work, and I carried on. A few minutes later he passed me in his police car, beeped the horn and put on the siren for a few seconds.
When I got to Aberdour, I was looking at my map when a man came out of his house to see me, wanting to know where I was from and where I was heading. He was interested to know that I am from Burkina Faso. He told me about some tourists from Hawaii who had passed by one day, looking for somewhere to stay. They couldn't find anywhere and had pitched their tent in his back garden.
The coast road was pretty flat until Penan, where there were a few hills and deep valleys. I went up a 10% slope, a 17% and a 20% one too, so not as bad as the road from Scarborough to Whitby! It was really a beautiful spot; so green, and the sound of the wind whistling in my helmet as I went down into the valleys was really nice.
Ada Addison, from Cullen, had kindly booked a B&B for me in Banff, called the Trinity Manse. It is a really nice place and I recommend it. The owners are from Kent so I had an English breakfast in the morning. Ada is a friend of a friend from Bournemouth, Eddie Martin who helped me with my stay yesterday in Aberdeen. Ada came by in the morning, as she works in Banff, and brought me provisions for my journey and a card with verses of blessing in it. I realy would like to thank you Ada, for your kindness and generosity. I felt refreshed as I set out this morning.
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, go to www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day sixteen, July 19th; St Andrews to Peterculter (Aberdeen)

2006-07-20T15:33:00.000+01:00

Start: St Andrews at 10:00 Finish: Peterculter, Aberdeen at 10:30 Distance: 86 miles
I set out from my B&B at around 10:00, heading first for the site of the CLAN gathering, where I was due to give Alison Knight some copies of Response, Fulani Ministries newsletter. Alison works for Sat7, a Christian satelite channel. I had met her previously through Global Connections, and bumped into her again at CLAN. She said she had been reading my blog! She helped me to request an anouncement to aks for accomodation around Britain, and I was leaving her with a few copies of Response to give to anyone who was interested, following the announcement. I happened to meet Alison outside the venue so I didn't need to go inside.
I cycled up to Dundee, crossing the Tay Bridge. On the bridge there was a teenage girl interviewing people. As I approached her I slowed down, as there were people around. She asked if she could interview me, and asked me how far I had cycled that morning. When I said St Andrews, she said 'really!'- for me I had only just started out that morning! She proceeded to ask me about cyclist's issues, and said that the interview would be broadcast on the internet for Dundee Council.
From Dundee I followed the A930 up through Broughty Ferry and Carnoustie. I was impressed again with how many golf courses there are; I could hardly cycle more than a mile without seeing a golfing shop! I had lunch in Arbroath- I was missing eating rice, so I went to an Indian restaurant. They were closed until 4:00, but when I said I just wanted somthing with rice, they said they could do that for me. I sat overlooking the harbour, eating my lunch. People were mending and cleaning their fishing boats. I saw a family- a grandfather and grandma with two children- feeding birds with chips. It got me thinking that this is the land of plenty, where people can buy chips just to feed birds! I reflected a bit and thought how in the grandpa's generation they would have known rationing during the war. In Burkina Faso no-one would dare to buy food to feed birds! These thoughts moved me, to think that many people in my country do not have enough to eat.
The lady who I had met at the B&B in St Andrews (who had given me a lift to CLAN) called Ellie, had used used alot of proverbs. Us Fulani people use proverbs when we speak, and I was impressed with how Ellie used proverbs quite naturally as she spoke. Ellie had told me that 'in Scotland if you can't see the hills its raining, and if you can see the hills its going to rain'. That was quite true yesterday; I couldn't see the hills as it was very misty, and drizzly. I got quite wet, and as the visibilty was poor I was concerned that vehicles wouldn't see me. I had my flashing lights on and prayed for safety whenever a lorry passed me. Also as it was wet my feet would slip off the pedals, consequently I would get off my bike and walk whenever my feet became too slippery. I find walking more difficult, and this slowed my journey down and tired me out.
Around the area of Inverbervie I found out that no one as yet had offered accomodation in Aberdeen, and that all the B&Bs were full. Ada from Cullen kindly phoned around the B&Bs, and also gave me the number for tourist information. Interestingly they were trying to find a single room for a lady cyclist! I also called a Abe from the African Christian Fellowship, to see if they had any contacts in Aberdeen. His wife, Janet said that the person they had known there had now moved away.
My meditation that day had been on Matthew 6; do not worry! So I resolved not to. It would have been too cold to sleep out, so if I didn't have a place to stay I would ride through the night. Around then a friend, Eddie Martin, from Bournemouth, phoned to say he had heard that I was looking for a place to stay in Abedeen, and that he would sort it out! So within a few minutes he had arranged somewhere for me. It was in Peterculter, I had planned to go via there anyway to avoid the A90.
I didn't arrive until alot later, however, as it was so misty, and my hosts had been worried about me, even sending out someone to look out on the roads for me. I was exhausted on arriving at my hosts home, due to so much walking during the day.
Mr and Mrs Cordiner's home was really very luxurious, I was feeling that indeed I hadn't needed to worry, and the Lord had provided for me more than I could have imagined! Before I left the next day Mr Cordiner printed off directions from the internet for me to guide me through and out of Aberdeen, which proved to be extremely helpful. Just before I left, Mrs Cordiner, who is a music teacher, played a song of blessing for me, which I found very special. The words are:

May God's blessing surround you each day
as you trust in Him and walk in His way.
May His presence within
guard and keep you from sin,
go in peace, go in joy, go in love.

I would like to thank all thse who helped me to find accomodation yesterday, Ada from Cullen, and Janet in Bournemouth, and also my wife! And a special thank you to Eddie Martin who made arrangements for me so quickly.
I am doing this ride for Fulani Ministries. To sponsor please go to: www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day fifteen, July 17th; Longniddry to St Andrews, and Tuesday 18th

2006-07-18T23:00:00.000+01:00

Start: Longniddry at 8:30 Finish: St Andrews at 9:20 Distance: 84 miles
Monday: I set off for Edinburgh at 8:30, and on the way stopped to have my bike checked over, in particular the saddle that I had mended on the Saturday. The bike shop owner kindly serviced my bike free of charge. I headed to the Forth Bridge, which was difficult on a bike as I couldn't take the main roads which would have lead me straight there. The Forth Bridge is a gigantic structure, and you get a great view of Edinburgh and of the surrounding towns from there. There is a dedicated cycle and pedestrian lane, but it is still very busy- there is really alot of traffic that goes over this bridge.
I followed the coast road up to St Andrews, where I stayed for two nights so that I could rest. There is a Christian festival, run by New Wine Scotland, called CLAN gathering (CLAN stands for Christians Linked Across the Nation) running at the moment, so I planned to spend the day there.
Tuesday: I found that another guest at the B&B was going to the CLAN gathering, so I was able to get a lift there. It was really great to meet with hundreds of other Christians! In the morning Mark Stibbe spoke about the prodigal son. He said the father in the parable did a number of things: he saw, he felt, he ran, embraced and kissed his returning son: this is the practical Gospel.
When I was in one of the ques at the event, the God Channel were interviewing people about why they had come to there. They interviewed me, and I explained about my ride. I found this interesting, since before my ride I had phoned them in order to get coverage for my ride, and they had told me I had to book a year in advance. So now they had come to me to ask for an interview!
I spent a really good day at the New Wine event, and I met many people, including a lady who had been a missionary in Burkina Faso, my home country, for 20 years!
Incedently, I have noticed that the people in this area really take their leisure time seriously- there are golf courses everywhere!
It was good to rest- my hands are getting tired now. When I did the Lands End to John O'Groats ride, my hands became weak and took several months to recover. I would appreciate your prayers for my hands, that they will keep strong for my ride.
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, please go to www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day fourteen, July 16th; Eyemouth to Longniddry

2006-07-17T12:26:00.000+01:00

Start: Eyemouth at 1:30 Finish: Longniddry at Distance: 50 miles
I didn't want to cycle on a Sunday but I heard the evening before that friends of my father in law, Barrie, were offering to find accomodation for me near North Berwick, which was a further 40 miles away. I couldn't stay in the hotel another night, so I decided to set off after I had been to a morning service. Janet and Jenny, the friends in North Berwick, had recommended me a church, but when I got there it was closed. I found out later that there is a Christian get-together called 'clan gathering' at the moment in St Andrews, and lots of Christian families in Scotland are there. I met a lady walking who told me she was going to church, so I went with her to Eyemouth Free Baptist Church, where I recived a really warm welcome- the pastor also allowed me to speak about my ride. The church was going through a series on God's grace, and the sermon that morning was from 2 Peter.
I cycled up to North Berwick and arrived around 5:30. Janet and Jenny made me supper, and then instructed me how to get to my accomodation, a further 10 miles away in Longniddry. There I stayed with Mark and Cindy Dean, and their son Nicholas.
I would like to thank the people of Eyemouth Free Baptist, for their really warm welcome to me, Janet and Jenny who arranged accomodation for me, and Mark, Cindy and Nicholas who welcomed me into their house last night. I am now in Edinburgh, and hoping to find a place further on where I can stay for two nights, in order to have my Sunday rest!
I am doing this ride in suport of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor go to: www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day thirteen, July 15th; Ryhope (Sunderland) to Eyemouth (Scotland)

2006-07-15T16:46:00.000+01:00

Start: Ryhope at 9:00 Finish: Eyemouth at 10:00 Distance: 97 miles
After breakfast with Joe and Hilma, they prayed for me and I set off for the ferry across the river Tyne that Joe had showed me the day before. As I was crossing the bridge over the river Wear in Sunderland, who should I meet but the Chinese man I had met the day before! He said to me "When I saw you yesterday, I knew that you are not an ordinary cyclist; cycling round Britain is not for faint hearted people!" When he found out where I was going he offered to cycle with me up to the ferry, along the sea road rather than the main route I was shown the day before. It was a really lovely ride, far from the noise of the main road. The Chinese man, David, told me this was one of his favorite cycle routes in Sunderland, and it is part of the coast to coast cycle route. He showed me many places along the way, and was obviously proud of his hometown. We came to a huge RLNI building, which had a sign saying COAST TO COAST STAMPED HERE, where David took a picture of me.
David had a puncture, which he said had never happened to him before, and I helped him fix it. In return he offered me an ice cream from what he said was the best ice cream shop in Sunderland, which had been there for over a hundred years. Later on I asked him whether he was a Christian, as his name was David. He said yes, that he goes to a Chinese church in Sunderland, and that he was going to a Bible study after his cycle ride!
He had told me about his family business, which was running a Chinese takeaway, so as we were cycling I asked him his advice on how an African person should suceed in running a Chinese takeaway. His advice was: "I don't recommend it"! He said even for Chinese people it is a risky business; African people just wouldn't get many customers, besides, they wouldn't know the recipies! He compared running the business to doing my cycle ride- he said obviously I was prepared for aches and pains and I just didn't complain about it, whereas he had done a forty mile cycle ride once and had ached all over! So his family were prepared for the ups and downs of business in a Chinese takeaway and just got on with it.
I said goodbye to David at the ferry terminal, and he wished me well on my journey. Up in Whiteley bay I came across the Tynemouth festival and watched for a while. There were many international bands playing and crowds of people. I had lunch in an ASDA in Blyth, where people told me I was 60 miles away from Scotland. I decided to go for it!
From Alnwick I followed the A1 up to Scotland. My meditation that day had been on Psalm 8: 'When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place..' there was certainly alot of God's handiwork to enjoy; the views of the blue sea and sky were stunning. My saddle broke in Newstead so I stopped to fix it. When I arrived in Berwick upon Tweed I felt that the ASDA lunch had 'finished'. I don't usually eat at McDonalds, but that is what I found. I went in the drive thru, where the girl serving me told me that her parents had been missionaries in Zimbabwe and Zambia. I asked her if she was a Christian, and she said she didn't go to church anymore, I told her not to give up on Jesus!
I cycled up to the Scottish border where I stopped in the first layby to eat my Big Mac, it was about 9:30. I was really glad to have made it! I was heading for Eyemouth. Susanna had already phoned around the B&Bs and Hotels, and had found that the only room available there was a pricey one. I arrived at the Ship Inn, where were crowds of people spilling out onto the pavement, smoking (people can't smoke indoors in Scotland). The people there were in good spirits, and I got talking to a group of friends. I didn't want to park my bike so a girl from the group went inside and used the pub telephone to phone round all the hotels and B&Bs for me. It was only the pricey one left, however when I got to the hotel I managed to negotiate a 20% discount! I slept in the 'African' room (apparently a cane chair and a patterned bedspread made it 'African'), and in the morning I ate a full Scottish breakfast (the only difference I noticed was the addition of Haggis to the plate, but perhaps our Scottish readers can comment on that :)).
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries, to sponsor go to www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day twelve, July 14th; Saltburn-by-the-Sea to Ryhope (Sunderland)

2006-07-15T15:38:00.000+01:00

Start: Saltburn-by-the-Sea at 11:30 Finish: Sunderland at 7:30 Distance: 55 miles
I left the hotel in Saltburn-by-the-Sea and headed towards Redcar, and then Middlesborough. there was a band from South America playing Rumba and Salsa music. These people were really serious about their music, and were inviting people to participate- unfortunately they weren't very successful at getting people to dance. I got lost in Middlesborough, and asked lots of people for directions.A taximan gave me good directions on how to get out, including where the cycle paths were. Hartelpool is a really industrialised area- I have never seen such an expanse of factories together, wherever you go there are factories, and big lorries and tankers driving around. The area was very flat, compared to the Scarborough and Whitby stretch (see day 11), but there was alot of wind and with all the lorries driving around it wasn't easy to get up to a good speed.
I bought fish and chips in Hartlepool, and sat by the seaside to eat. There were people walking about, and others cycling and sunbathing. A chinese man cycled by on a folding bike, and he stopped to greet me. He asked if I was new in the area, so I told him about my ride. He said that he had come from Sunderland, which was a nice town where he had lived all his life, since his parents moved over from Hong Kong when he was six. I offered him some fish and chips, apologising that it wasn't chinese this time!
It was a hot day yesterday, and I found the humidity quite intense. I stopped several times as my leg was getting quite hot inside my calliper. It was getting tired and falling off the pedal, so I had to cycle carefully. When I got to Peterlee I asked directions to Easington. The man giving me directions said "That's the way, Easington is straight oop!" I said "thanks mate" to which he replied "no worries loove!" I laughed to myself as I set off.
I cycled up to Ryhope, Sunderland, where accomodation had been arranged for me though the pastor of the Elim church there. At Joe and Hilma's house I had dinner, and then Joe kindly drove me up to the ferry, so that I could see how to get there, as it is quite complicated. It was good to get to know Joe and Hilma. I slept in a very grand bed, it was like being in a five star hotel- I had so many pillows I didn't know what to with them!
Thank you to pastor Parkins of Scarborough for the contact in Sunderland, to Pastor Dix of Elim Sunderland who arranged for me to stay in Ryhope, and to Joe and Hilma Cairns, who hosted me yesterday, for their hospitality.
I am doing this ride to raise awareness of the needs of Fulani People, and to support the work of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor go to: www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day eleven, July 13th; Scarborough to Saltburn-by-the-Sea

2006-07-14T12:24:00.000+01:00

Start: Scarborough at 1:00 Finish: Saltburn-by-the-Sea at 11:45 Distance: 45 miles
After I met with the pastors in Scarborough I had a few things to do and phone calls to make. I then had lunch in Scalby, so I didn't really leave the area until 3:00. My distance yesterday was below average, but there were so many hills; even to leave Scarborough I had to push my bike. I have really never seen hills like it! During my Lands End to John O'Groats trip I encountered four really hilly areas: Cornwall, Bath, Cumbria, and Berrydale in Scotland. The hills I saw yesterday, though- I had to stop many times on an upward slope to put the brakes on, then push a little, then put the brakes on again. Once the bike started sliding downhill even with the brakes on! The slopes were 25% gradient, and I regularly 35mph going downhill. It was quite tough and sweaty work, but ontop of the hills the views are stunning!
Around Whitby was a little flatter, and it is a really beautiful town. Imagine a town in a valley by the sea surrounded by these huge hills. I spent about 30 minutes looking around.
As I was heading out of Whitby I went into a Chinese Restaurant called The Rainbow to get something to eat. I met two ladies, a mother and daughter, who gave me some sponsorship money. We got talking and I discovered that the daughter goes to a church in Sheffield. As I was leaving the manager of the restaurant gave me a big bag of prawn crackers, saying that was his sponsorship and that this would give me strength to get over the hills, as there were going to be more. I said that I hope all these prawn crackers won't weigh me down so I can't get over the hills!
I was heading for Skelton, where Pastor Paul had arranged for me to stay overnight in a B&B. I phoned the B&B as I was likely to be late getting in, and the lady said that's ok, that I should knock hard when I get there. I went over more hills. Sometime after Loftus a car pulled up on the opposite side of the road. A man got out and crossed the road to meet me. He gave me some sponsorship money, saying he had passed me earlier and had come back to encourage me on my ride! Before I got into Skelton I passed a big factory with white smoke billowing out of its chimnies. A big sign said UNDERGROUND DARK MATTER LABORATORIES LOOKING FOR THE MISSING MASS OF THE UNIVERSE. I thought to myself that what is missing in the cyclist's universe is a few bridges to link these hills together, and that wouldn't be found underground!
When I got to the B&B in Skelton, which was up another steep hill, it was around 11:00. Instead of knocking on the door I phoned the lady inside, but she said that she couldn't let me in because it was after 10:00! (she hadn't told anything about that before). So I prayed and remembered Psalm 121:6 which says that 'the sun will not harm you by day nor the moon by night'. I trusted that the Lord could provide me a place to stay. My meditation that day had been on Psalm 91 which speaks of God's protection: 'He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty'. I went back down the steep hill and in the town I saw a couple who were on their night out. I asked if they knew anywhere to stay and the man told me about a hotel in a town nearby where he was a night porter. He said that he knew that there were rooms available! The hotel was in Saltburn-by-the-Sea. The batteries in my lights were failing at that point, and as I went down the steep hills I prayed that I wouldn't slip on anything and fall. So I got a place to stay and arrived there before midnight.
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor go to www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day ten, July 12th; Kilnsea to Scarborough

2006-07-13T16:54:00.000+01:00

Start: Kilnsea at 9:30 Finish: Scarborough at 5:45 Distance: 60 miles
I started out from Kilnsea (not Easington as was mentioned yesterday, apologies), heading up to Withernsea. I saw a URC church there where they were having a coffee morning, so I popped in for something to eat. Outside the church there was a big banner saying ENGLAND NEEDS JESUS. As I was eating a young boy, not older than two, came up from behind me and handed me some change. As he clearly wanted to give it to me I took it, asking him what shall I do with it? He went back to sit with his grandma, and so I went to give the money back to her. She said no, it was for my sponsorship, since they had seen what was written on my back. So that was my youngest sponsor, a boy named William!
I passed through Hornsea, Bridlington and Filey before arriving at my destination, Scarborough. The air yesterday was humid; heavy, and I found it difficult to cycle in.
I arrived in Scarborough at 5:45, and had a very warm welcome from Pastor Graeme Parkins, who met me outside the railway station, and walked with me to the church, where Ieft my bike. The Pastor drove me to his house where we had someting to eat, and then went to their mid week church meeting. There pastor Graeme interviewed me about my bike trip and about the work of Fulani Ministries. They had put my bike on display! It was wonderful to get to know the people of Scarborough Elim church, I even met someone who knows where Burkina Faso is! (His wife is from Ghana). Scarborough Elim are currently having their church, which is a large three storey building, refurbished, so they are meeting in the Bapist church. After the meeting the pastor and his wife showed me around the town of Scarborough, which is really beautiful, quite hilly.
The next day (today) Pastor Paul Hudson, from Dewsbury, drove an hour and a half from his home to see me. So I and the two pastors went to a cafe to talk. Pastor Paul had visited Fulani Ministries in Burkina Faso in March, and said he hoped to come out to see us again next year!
I was really touched by the warm welcome I recieved in Scarborough, which was arranged only that same afternoon by Pastor Paul! I would like to thank Pastor Graeme and his wife for their warm welcome, and to his wife for washing my clothes! Many thanks also to Pastor Paul for arranging the accomodation in Scarborough for me.
My meditation yesterday was on Matthew 11:28 which says 'come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest..' I would appreciate your prayers for me as I am feeling tired these days as I cycle, I am not really sure why.
I am doing this round Britain cycle ride to raise money for the work of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor click www.fulnaniministries.org/donate.htm . Thank you!

Day nine, July 11th; Tetney to Easington, and Monday 10th

2006-07-12T15:42:00.000+01:00

Start: Tetney at 9:00 Finish: Spurnhead/Kilnsea at 10:30 Distance: 86 miles
Monday 10th: I was invited to New Tribes Mission Bible College in North Cote by Steve and Moira Poulner, who had been missionaries in Senegal for 15 years. Steve, who lectures at the college, interviewed me during the chapel service, about my background and why I am doing the ride. I explianed that I am doing the round Britain bike ride for two main reasons: firstly to raise awareness of the physical and spiritual needs of the Fulani people. Secondly, to encourage people to get involved in meeting these needs. After chapel I had lunch with the students. It is a very international college; on my table, from right to left were a Romanian student, then two Germans, a Russian, a Polish student, and then the cook, who was also sitting with us, who was from Chicago. It was really interesting to talk with them and to find out about they had been doing during their various mission trips. After lunch I was shown around the grounds- the New Tribes College have bought a large grounds of 40 acres, which used to be an RAF base.
I stayed in Steve and Moira's home that night, and Moira cooked a traditional Senegalese dish- Chicken Yassa! We spent the evening talking about Africa, with popular West African music playing in the background! I felt right at home, so far from home.
Back on the road: I left North Cote before 9:00, and headed a few miles north to the village of Tetney, to the spot where I had had my accident. Moira had packed a very big lunch for me, and they had also kindly given me some money for the journey. When I arrived one of the villagers recognised me, he asked how I was and said I was really lucky; I could have been alot worse off! As we were talking the district nurse who had helped me on the day of my accident (she had been the first to attend to me, before the ambulance men arrived) passed by. When she saw me she stopped to say hi and check how I was doing. I was impressed at the timing of this meeting! I had my picture taken with her at the accident spot. There were also other villagers passing by who recognised me, many said how lucky I was and that there was definately someone looking out for me!
I left from Tetney a week after I had had my accident. I headed towards Grimsby, then passed through Immingham, and then over the river Humber. As I was passing over the river I felt that finally Linconshire was letting me go (though my chain fell off twice so perhaps it was wanting me back!). Whenever a lorry passed me I was concerned that there might be something sticking out to knock me over again! Mrs Peach, from Bournemouth, kindly had a flag printed for me with SPONSOR NOW! CHARITY ROUND BRITAIN BIKE RIDE and the website address. I have noticed that the flag causes people to give me a wider berth when passing, so I feel safer. Mrs Peach also had a flourecsent jacket printed for me, and when people see it they cheer me on! Thank you, Mrs Peach, for the jacket and flag which are really causing many people to encourage and support me as I am on the road.
I passed through Hessle and Hull, and carried on towardds Spurn Point. At Thorngumbald I had run out of water. I saw two ladies outside a Methodist church, and I asked them if they could fill my water bottles for me. They said sorry, their water system was down! I cycled further and I was really thirsty. I saw two women going into a house, and asked them for some water. One of the ladies went into her house and filled up both my water bottles for me!
When I arrived in Patrington I was looking for something to eat. As I was especially hungry (even after the big packed lunch!)so I ordered two fish with chips. As I was about to pay the manager of Patrington Fisheries (run by Wendy and Steve Fletcher) came out and said that the fish and chips were their sponsorship for me, and she also gave me £10 sponsorship ontop of this. I was feeling that the Lord was providing for me generously- he had saved my life on the road, and now he was providing me food and drink through people!
I cycled on right to the end of Spurn Point, which is a narrow strip of land stretching out into the sea. There is a track two or three meters wide, just wide enough for a small car. When I arrived at the end of the track I saw a very old lighthouse, and a viewing point with a few small houses, which had a sign saying DANGER UNSTABLE CONSTRUCTION. There were also alot of birdwatchers.
I had arrrived at the point around 8:30, so I decided to stop at the next B&B I came to. Mrs Peach had arranged accomodation for me at a guest house in Hornsea, but that was still a long was off. When I came to a pub I asked about places to stay and I was pointed in the right direction.
I would like to thank Steve and Moira and their two daughters for their warm hospitality, Mrs Peach for the flag and jacket, and Steve and Wendy Fletcher of Patrington Fisheries for their generosity.
To encourage all who are reading, my cycle ride has now raised over £2,500!
I am doing this ride in support of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor click: www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thankyou.

Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th

2006-07-10T11:37:00.000+01:00

I am back in Grimsby now, having spent a few days staying at my parents in law's home, with them and Susanna and Belko. It was good to see them again- Belko has really grown! I went to the Global Connections conference in London on Thursday. Friends Howard and Sheila, from Bournemouth, and friends from London- Ilia and Aissatou and their daughter Leatou, came for the evening event- 'an evening with John Piper'. it was really good to see them.
I decided to wait until after the weekend to go back to my cycle ride, so that my arm could heal up more. It is really alot better now and I have been cycling to get around Grimsby.
I travelled back on Saturday, arriving early afternoon. I had left my bike at the home of Mr and Mrs Portus, in Tetney, so I looked for a bus to get me there. I asked someone at the bus station, and was told to ring the information line, but as it was Saturday, no one answered. I finally phoned Mr Portus, who told me there is no bus service in Tetney! However he and his wife were in town and they gave me a lift. On the way back we stopped at a bicycle shop. The bike shop owner said he couldn't see the bike on Monday because that was his day off. I was impressed by Mr Portus' negotiating skills because he persuaded the owner to come his shop on Monday just to service my bike! When we got to their house Mr Portus pointed out a flat tire, which I fixed. The bike looked ok otherwise.
After a long chat with Mr and Mrs Portus, I set off on my bike for the home of Ian and Jenny of Puppet Power, who had taken me in on the day of my accident. They were away in Leeds for a big puppet show, and came back later in the evening.
On Sunday Ian, my host, took me to their church puppet practice, which they have every Sunday. It was wonderful to see many people, young and old, working together on the puppet show. They sung a song:
I lost my sheep x3
I will not give up, I will not give in, I will not stop
until I find my sheep.
The song speaks about Jesus' perseverance in finding us sinners, but the words encouraged me to persevere, to keep on going with my cycle ride.
In the morning service at Grimsby Baptist Ian interviewed me, saying we had met through extraordinary circumstances- an accident!
I went to the pastor's house for lunch, then in the afternoon I helped the puppet group to make props for puppet shows. I made a moon and a sun. The puppet group were having a BBQ at Ian and Jenny's house in the afternoon, but I went to church and joined them at the BBQ later on. At church the pastor interviewed me, this time talking about my testimony, which you can read about on the Fulani Ministries website: www.fulaniministries.org/TESTIMONIES.htm .
Back at the BBQ the group were having a lip synching competition. Later on there were prizes for accomplishment in puppetry; it was great to see acheivements by people of all ages!
This morning I said goodbye to my hosts Ian and Jenny, with whom I have had a really wonderful stay. I had my bike serviced; the bike shop owner made some minor repairs, for which he did not charge, saying that it was his contribution to work in Africa!
I would normally be starting back on the road now, but a lecturer from New Tribes Bible College, whom I met at church yesterday, has asked me to come to stay with him, and to meet with his students at the college. It seems that Grimsby can't let me go yet!
So it's tomorrow that I'm aiming to set out, and I hope the people of Grimsby will let me go this time, they have certainly been so friendly- I have made so many friends, and all through the circumstances of having an accident, which no one would wish for. I do thank God for this.
I would like to thank all these people who have been so kind to me during my stay here: Mr and Mrs Portus, Ian and Jenny and their children Sarah and David, Pastor Gordon-Roberts, the pastor of Grimsby Baptist, and his wife, for welcoming me at their church and into their home, to the people of the puppet group, and to the bike shop owner who kindly serviced my bike for free.
I would also like to add that it is Susanna, my wife, who is writing these blog entries- there are not always internet cafes around where I stay, and it would take up my time too! I call Susanna and tell her what I have been doing, and then she writes it up.
I am doing this ride in support of the work of Fulani Ministries. To sponsor, go to www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm

Day eight, July 4th: Louth to Tetby

2006-07-05T11:52:00.000+01:00

Start: Louth at 9:00 Finish: Tetby at 10:30 Distance: 11 miles
Today was the shortest I have cycled but it was definitly the most eventful! I want to thank you for all those who have been praying for me because the situation could have been alot worse.
When I set off from the B&B I headed along the A16, but at North Thoresby there were road works so I turned eastward, heading for Grimsby. There was a timber lorry (truck for Americans) which had a crane for loading. This crane had not been attached properly and was swinging about. It narrowly missed a woman and her baby. The woman then shouted at me to watch out, but I didn't hear because of the traffic. So the crane swung and hit my arm and knocked me off my bike. The woman came over to me crying, very upset and saying she should have shouted even louder. She called the ambulance. I didn't really know what had happened to me! A man walking his dog called the police. The ambulance took about 20 minutes to arrive because of the road works, when they arrived so did the police, and also an air ambulance! (apparently for any lorry-cyclist accident they send out the air ambulance) The traffic in the villgage was stopped for a time.
When I got into hospital they found that I had no broken bones, and I was discharged at around 4 with a sling and advice to rest for 2 or 3 days. My elbow is really very painful and swollen. I would like to thank the nurses and medical staff at the hospital who really took very good care of me, also I would like to thank the amulance service and the police, and also the residents of Tetney who had to suffer the traffic build up in their village.
My bike was taken in by Bryan Portus, who I would also like to thank for his help. It is still there, and looks fine, but I will have it checked before I set out again.
Ruth Peach kindly contacted friends of friends Holton le Cley, near Grimsby, to pick me up and put me up for the night. Jenny and Ian are involved with Puppet Power,a puppet ministry. It was good to rest after an exhausting day, and today I am heading down to London a day early- I had intended to take a short break anyway, coming down to a conference in London on the Thursday,but I'm going a day early to see more of my family!
Thank you again for all your prayers, please pray for a swift recovery for me. I'm hoping to be back on the road Friday or Saturday.

Day seven, July 3th: Old Huntstanton to Louth

2006-07-05T11:01:00.000+01:00

Start: Old Huntstanton at 10:00 Finish: Louth at 10:30 Distance: 103 miles
Leaving Old Huntstanton I cycled down to Kings Lynn, across to Long Sutton and then up to Boston. From there I cycled along the A52 to Skegness. The Kings Lynn to Skegness stretch is very flat. It was a nice break from the hills, but the down side is that there is alot of wind! Also this area seems to be the cauliflower and cabbage capital of Britain, there are huge fields full of these vegetables! Just outside of Boston I bought saw a lady selling strawberries by the side of the road. When she found out I was cycling for charity she told me that the day before a man had come by on the kind of bikes where you had to lay down and cycle, who was also cycling for charity. She gave me a punnet of strawberries, saying to give the price to Fulani Ministries. A little further on I stopped at a Spar shop to buy some food- there are no supermarkets around here as it is quite rural- and I met a man who asked me where I was from. He started telling me about two Gambian students he was sponsoring to go to University. He seemed to find it very rewarding to see their accomplishment. As we were talking about the distances I was planning to cycle, and particularly about my disability, his eyes started to well up with tears and he said he had to go home, he wasn't even going to do his shopping. I hadn't at all expected such an emotional reaction from an older man.
Just past Skegness the terrain became more hilly, and as it got to 9pm I decided I would stop at the next town, even though Sue, a friend from church, had booked me in to a B&B only about 25 miles away. It was really a very beautiful area, but I wasn't getting anywhere fast. When my wife called me to give directions to the B&B I was only doing 1 mph uphill!

Day six, July 1st: Kessingland to Huntstanton, and Sunday 2nd July

2006-07-03T10:48:00.000+01:00

Start: Kessingland at 10:30 Finish: Hunstanton at 12:40 Distance: 137 miles
I got to know my hosts, Mike and Pauline, over breakfast. I explianed to them why I was riding around Britain, about Fulani Ministries and the Fulani people (for more information see www.fulaniministries.org ). Mike and Pauline have a room where pastors and Christian workers can stay and take time out, so I would love to stay with them again. It was certainly good to get to know this couple.
I set out from their house at around 10:30. I was in Lowestoft before 11:00. I spent quite a while in Lowestoft, looking around and having KFC. I saw the most easterly point in Britain, where there is a lighthouse. I saw the biggest wind turbine in Britain; it was an impressive structure, with blades gliding elegantly throught the air. I also saw the most easterly GP practice in Britian! I bought some new batteries for my bike lights before I left, at around 1:00. I cycled up to Great Yarmouth,and then- guess where- to California! :) and carried on along the country lanes by the coast. This is a very rural area of Britain; eventually the noise of the A road faded away and it was very peaceful- I could hear birdsong and children playing.
Around the village of Paston I got lost and ended up in North Walsham. I took the A road back up to the coast at Cromer. By the time I got to Sherringham I was already tired. At Cley next the Sea I stopped to put the new batteries in my bike lights, as it was getting dark. An older lady stopped to talk with me, thinking I was lost. She told me she had worked with a Catholic mission in Nigeria in the colonial days, but she said she wasn't a Catholic. When I asked here whether she was a Christian she said that, well, she wouldn't agree with the Anglican church on every point. As she started talking about abortion and contrception a young woman walked past, pushing her bike. I got quite embarrased and said I should be getting on!!
I had been heading for Kings Lynn that night. Susanna had found a room for me in Snettisham, which seemed to be the only room available for miles around! By 11 I was still some distance from Snettisham, as I had begun to encounter some very steep hills. It was very dark, there were no street lights and not even the moon was out I was really thankful for the new batteries! I heard owls and foxes howling. From time to time I passed a campsite,and at each campsite there was a party going on- lights, dancing, singing and music that could be heard for miles around.
The place where my room was reserved said that they would shut at 12. I phoned them around 12:15, as I was still a distance,and they said that they had definatley shut. I was not intending to cycle on Sunday but I felt I didn't have a choice at that point.
I got into Huntstanton at around 12:40. I went to the Lodge Hotel, and the night manager, a Polish man, came to see me when I rung the bell. He said that there were no rooms there, but kindly agreed that I could sleep on a bench in their premises for the night. He even brought me some packets of hotel biscuits! I only had my rain jacket to keep me warm, and as it got cold during the night I didn't really sleep. I was really glad to see the daylight, and hear the birds-I sat reading my Bible as the day woke up.
The day manager kindly gave me bed and breakfast, including sunday breakfast, for a reduced price. After breakfast I was able to leave my things while I went to an Anglican church, where the congregation were very welcoming. After church and some fish and chips I went to my room and had a long afternoon nap!
I have been reading about stess, burnout and balance in a book 'Touchpoints for Leaders': I read in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that 'There is a time for everything, and a season for everything under heaven' I also read that although Jesus had encountered so much need, he did not respond to it all and still accomplished His Father's will for His life. So I decided that to be honouring to God , I needed to have a 'time for everything' and to put this into practice I would aim to not cycle past 9:00.
I would like to encourage people to please post your comments! This is the only way I know people are reading, and it is encouraging to me. Thank you to all those who have written comments!

Day five, 30th June, Rayleigh to Kessingland

2006-07-01T14:19:00.000+01:00

Start: Rayleigh at 8:00 Finish: Kessingland at 10:30 Distance: 134 miles
I left my friends, Chris and Rosemary, at 8:00, after some more catching up with them over breakfast. I turned onto the A132 after Battlesbridge, and cycled up through Danbury to Malden, and then on to Tiptree. I found Colchester to be a huge city, and I got lost in the one way system there. I really thank God that I met Phil, a cyclist, who told me that he was heading to Ardleigh and that I could follow him. Thank you very much Phil! I cycled through Manningtree up to Ipswich. On the way out of Ipswich I passed a house which was on fire; there were a number of fire engines and ambulances, with firemen hurrying to pour water on the blaze. It really was a horrible sight. In the morning my Bible meditation had been from Luke 21, where the widow had given her 'mite'; all she had to live on. I had been thinking how it feels to give away all you have. The sight of this blaze brought a sense of this home to me, seeing this family lose all the possesions they had, incuding their house, which is usually a greater part of a person's wealth.
Rosemary had arranged a contact for me in Kessingland, near Lowestoft, for Saturday and Sunday nights. I felt, however, that I would like to make it there in one day, staying the Friday night. Before I arrived at my destination I really felt like I had spent all my strength, especially as I had not found a suitable place to eat properly on the way. I prayed to the Lord for strength to carry on and reach my goal. This also brought home to me the meaning of giving all that you have.
Mike, my host, met me outside his house. Mike and his wife, Pauline, really showed me great hospitality. They made me a sandwich when I arrived, which revived me! During breakfast we heard some tragic news; friends of theirs from their church, a brother and sister, had been killed in a car crash the night before, coming back from a Christian meeting. Please pray for comfort for their family and for the community church in Lowestoft. For me it felt like a day of experiencing, hearing and seeing great loss.
I would like to say thank you again to Phil, the cyclist, and to Mike and Pauline for their hospitality. God bless you today.

Day four, 29th June: Chatham to Rayleigh

2006-06-30T13:38:00.000+01:00

Start: Chatham at 11:30 Finish: Rayleigh at 5:00 Distance: 41 miles
I took it a bit more easy yesterday as I had somewhere to stay with friends, in Rayleigh, near Southend on Sea. I left the B&B in Chatham at around 11:30, heading towards Gravesend, to take the ferry there. It was the best place to cross the Thames as I couldn't go in the Dartford Tunnel. I cycled up the A 1089 then joined the A13, which I found extremely busy, even though it is classed as an A road, it was like a motorway. I was quite concerned for my saftey- I wouldn't recommend cycling there! I came off the A13 at the next exit, heading up to Brentwood. I even crossed over the A127, which leads to Rayleigh, since I was concerned it would be just as busy. In Brentwood I asked the way to Billericay, but when I got talking to the man giving me directions, he assured me that the A127 was not as busy and had a cycle path on it. I wouldn't have known this useful bit of information otherswise, so I was grateful to have talked with this man. So I retraced my steps and joined the A127, cycling on a cycle path all the way to Rayleigh. I arrived in Rayleigh before 5:00. My friends were away for the day, but they arranged for a friend of theirs, Norman, to meet me. I went with Norman to help him move tables at his church, Rayleigh Baptist, in preparation for an event they are organising. My friends Chris and Rosemary, came back around 9 and gave me a really nice meal. It was wonderful to catch up with them, I had spent three year with Chris at Moorlands Bible College, and had not seen them since my wedding five years ago. Chris is a chaplian to hospises. I had a great nights sleep and left their house around 8 this morning.
Thank you to all who are texting and calling me! The best way to get in touch with me is to text or leave a comment on the blogsite; I don't always hear my phone on the road.

Day three: Dymchurch to Chatham

2006-06-29T14:03:00.000+01:00

Start: Dymchurch at 10:30 am Finish: Chatham at 11:30 pm Distance: about 90 miles
I was given a good send off yesterday by my hosts, Mr and Mrs Power, who also gave me provisions for the journey. I really enjoyed my stay with them. I cycled along the coast through Folkestone and Dover. As I was approaching Dover I saw the white cliffs and Dover castle in the distance. I discovered that Dover is in a valley; I clocked speeds of 30-35 mph on the way in, but on the way out I had to walk and hold on to the back of the bike to stop it from tipping back!
I made my way along the coast, passing through St Margaret at Cliffe, to Sandwich. I decided that instead of eating my packed sandwich, that I would buy a sandwich, so that I could expereince eating a sandwich made in Sandwich, in Sandwich. Some schoolboys told me that I could buy a sandwich in co-op, but when I explianed they showed me some shops. I went into a very grand sandwich shop called 'No Name', it sells wine and cheese as well as sandwiches. I ordered a chicken sandwich but they only had turkey. The lady serving me asked where I had come from, and of course, then asked where I was going! When she found out I was cycling for charity she gave me the sandwich for free, as well as a bottle of orange juice! The shop is owned by a frenchman, and alot of the signs are in French. I did a video interview with him.
From Sandwich I cycled up to Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Margate, then on to Herne Bay. At Herne Bay I cycled into the town to look around, in honour of my father-in-law who was born there.
I cycled along the promenade from Herne Bay all the way to Whitstable, which was really lovely, a nice break from the hills! I arrived in Whitstable around 8:00; there were alot of bars and restaurants full of people who looked like holiday makers. When I asked a man the way to Faversham, saying I was planning to spend the night in Gravesend, he tried to persuade me to stay in Whitstable, saying it was much nicer! I cycled along the A229 and the A2. When I got to Sittingbourne in was getting dark. In Newington I ate the sandwich I had been given by Mrs Power. My wife was looking on the internet for places for me to stay around Gillingham, but this was proving difficult, there were mostly hotels and mainly full up by that time. I cycled into Gillingham and discovered that Gillingham, Chatham, and Rochester are one big town/city. It's not so touristy as the other places I had been to along the coast, which is why it was difficult to find a place to stay. One option was to stay with my sister-in-law near Maidstone, but I didn't really want to go so far inland at that time. Sometime after 11 I saw a landlord closing up his pub, and he pointed me in the direction of a street full of B&Bs. before midnight I found a two star B&B- I have stayed in nicer places for less!
I read this morning from the Bible in numbers 9, how the Lord led the Isrealites in the desert with the cloud over the tabernacle: whenever it was time to move camp, the cloud lifted, when the Isrealites were to stay the cloud stayed covereing the tabernacle. My prayer for myself and my family, and especially for myself as I travel around Britain, is that God would direct us, as He did with the Isrealites in the desert, since He knows where we are going, and that we would obey him by following Him where he leads.

Day two: Brighton to Dymchurch

2006-06-28T11:05:00.000+01:00

Start: Brighton at 10:30 am Finish: Dymchurch at 10:30 pm Total distance: 94 miles
I had an excellent sleep at the Lanes Hotel B&B in Brighton. After a cooked breakfast and a bowl of cereal I set off along the A259, along the coast, towards Eastbourne. Between Newhaven and Eastbourne it was especcially hilly, and I was forced to push my bike for much of the distance, consequelntly when I arrived in Eastbourne I was very tired and I stayed there for over an hour to rest.
My experience of the hills again reminded me of Psalm 121: 'I lift my eyes to the hills...'. I had not expected such hills and as I made my way over them I thought about 'inner' hills and hills in life, when trusted surfaces and even paths turn out to be rough and hilly. My attention was drawn to Proverbs 3:5 which says 'Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight'. I was also conforted by the understanding that hills and mountains may slow you down, but they can't stop you from reaching your goal.
In Eastbourne I bought a Kebab, and the Turkish man who served me kindly gave me a bottle of water for free. It was a sunny day and finding a place to sit along the seafront proved impossible. Twice I found a space on a bench and, after parking my bike, discovered that the space had been taken! Finally I pushed my bikle over the pebbles and sat looking out over the sea, eating my Kebab and watching people swim out to the end of the pier and back.
I left Eastbourne at around 4:00, and continued on the A259, through Bexhill and Hastings, then on towards Rye. Somewhere after Rye I saw a sign saying 'Kent, the garden of England'. Around 6 I was glad to pick up a message on my answer machine that my pastor had contacted an Elim pastor in Hythe (Kent) to arrange accomodation for me. I was hosted by a couple in Dymchurch, about 15 miles from Folkestone. I had a good nights sleep and a lovely cooked breakfast. My hosts kindly gave me a sandwich and £5 for the road. I am planning to eat my sandwich in Sandwich to appreciate the full meaning of the word:)
I am doing this ride to raise funds for Fulani Ministries, which is a registered charity. You can sponsor by clicking here: www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm Thank you!

Day one: Bournemouth to Brighton

2006-06-27T07:39:00.000+01:00

Start: Bournemouth at 8:30 am Finish: Brighton at 10:30 pm. Distance: 102 miles.
Greetings! For those of you who don't live in the UK, yesterday was cold and rainy! Nevertheless it was not raining when I left and I had a warm send off with a small crowd of friends to see me on my way, along with, of course, my wife and my son Belko. Many thanks to all those who came to see me off! After a picture for the Daily Echo, we sang a hymn and my pastor, Pastor Ralph Winter-Smith, lead us in prayer, dedicating my ride to God. I cycled along the coast to Hythe, where I caught the ferry in order to bypass Southampton city centre. As I was walking along the pier towards the ferry, I slipped on the wet wooden planks and fell with my bike. I was surprised and dissapointed that none of the onlookers didn't rush to my aid. I am grateful, though, that none of my bags fell in the water!
Accross the water in Southampton an RAC salesman kindly looked after my bike and bags while I went into Tescos and bought a pack of flapjack and two value bags of raisins at 41p each! Every little helps :) It had been raining most of the way from Bournemouth, but in Chichester the rain lightened and it was drizzling the rest of the way. By 6 I was in Bognor Regis where I had some fish & chips- good cycling food! I was aiming for Eastbourne or Hastings, but when I got to Brighton it was already 10:00, so I decided find somewhere to stay there. It had been a good day, I had done average speeds of 12-13 mph, and the people I met had been really helpful in giving me directions, as I was not usually on the main roads. I found a B&B at 10:30, I have a double room with big window overlooking the sea, all for £35 (origional price £45) who says you can't barter in Britain :) My feet were very cold and wet, and I was grateful for a nice hot shower! Today I have been meditating on Psalm 121: "I lift my hands up to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."
PS thank you to all your encouraging comments !

Foofo!

2006-05-18T21:39:00.000+01:00

Hi there,
I thought I will set up this blog site for you to post your comments as I will soon set out from Bournemouth for the round Britain sponsored bike ride on June 26th 2006 to support Fulani Ministries work. I will keep you updated on my whereabouts and some experiences on the way as I think I have approximately 4500 miles (7500 Kms) to cycle.

To sponsor please click here: www.fulaniministries.org/donate.htm

You can also sponsor via eBay: when listing your item for sale, please select Fulani Ministries to donate the proceeds of your sale.

100% of all proceeds from this sponsored bike ride will be used to fund projects in Africa including building and establishing educational and medical facilities, outreach to the community via local radio stations, providing water for villages and numerous projects for relieving poverty and suffering. For more information on Fulani Ministries please click here: www.fulaniministries.org Fulani Ministries is a registered charity.

Please click the following links to read about some of my previous sponsored bike ride:

http://www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp?articleid=351265
http://www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp?articleid=350206
http://archive.thisisdorset.net/2006/3/31/115269.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/dorset/3888949.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/dorset/3840789.stm

Thank you
Remain blessed
Boureima