Thursday 8 July 2010

Thursday 8th July

Good morning
This is my 4th day back in Chudleigh and although I am missing being out on the road I am also enjoying being home.
Everyone has been very kind and welcomed both Simon and me home( not forgetting Murphy) with quite a few donations coming in.
A BIG thank you to everyone who has donated but I also realise that there are so many charities out there that to give to all of them would not be possible.

I will now finish off the last few days of the trip.

Friday :
Packed everything up, sat in the sun with a cup of tea and read my book then I drove to Corfe Castle, Elsie followed in her car.
While Elsie stayed in the car park painting a picture of the Castle I walked with Murphy up the hill to the Castle, had a good look around then walked around the village and back down to the Camper.

Entrance to the Castle and the railway station

Our next stop was Lulworth Cove, heaving with tourists and school groups studying the coastline.
Walked along the coast, took some photo's then met Simon and Noel for a drink before they set off cycling again.
We dove past Weymouth and set up camp at West Fleet on a flat piece of grass, unwound the awning, put out the table and chairs, sat in the sun and waited for the cyclists to arrive.
Had Dinner, relaxed had a drink and a chat until bedtime.

Saturday :
Simon and Noel set off about 9.30, we left Fleet and made our way to Abbotsbury Swannery, spent a couple of hours watching hundreds of swans feeding, learning about the history of the Swannery and finding our way around the Maze.
We then made our way to Charmouth to look for fossils, the place was full of people all with the same idea so decided to return another day.
Stayed there for lunch and again met Simon and Noel as they cycled the coast.
Made our way to the campsite at Salcombe Regis, set everything up and took it easy in the sun.
Swans at Abbotsbury
Part of the Maze
Prototype bouncing bomb from the Dambusters recovered from Fleet Estuary.

Sunday :
Simon set off with 4 friends for the last leg of his epic journey around the coast of Britain.
Elsie left at about 10.00 and I left at 11.30 making my way to Exmouth, Starcross, Dawlish, Teignmouth over Shaldon bridge to Babbacombe, Torquay, Paignton and arriving at Dartmouth via the ferry from Kingswear at about 2.00.
Had lunch with Jean, Ken, Joanne and Steve, Guy, Lisa and Stanley. then waited as other friends and relatives arrived.
Met up with Harriet and Dean and waited for the cyclists to arrive.
At about 4.15 the group which had increased in number arrived with Simon at the front to a grand reception from all the well wishers.
He was presented with a cake decorated with "Cycle the Lights" made by Kate.
 A BIG thank you to Alf Resco's who stayed open for the afternoon giving them drinks etc.

I then returned home to Chudleigh, unloaded some of the camper, parked up and went indoors to find that Harriet and Dean had got the house tidy and dusted.
Harriet made me a cup of tea and Dean presented me with a Bargain Bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
A great end to my trip and I will resume my diet tomorrow.

Bought some flowers, went down the cemetery, sat for a while trying to decide my plans for the future and decided take life as it comes and see where it leads.
I am sure there many good things ahead.

I would like to finish by saying how proud I am of Simon's great achievement as only I know what he really went through on parts of the trip so WELL DONE.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS FOLLOWED OUR TRIP, I HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED IT, AND HERE"S TO THE NEXT ONE 
Phil

3 comments:

  1. It was lovely to see you all! What an amazing trip!
    Keep in touch!!
    x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Welcome back Simon, Phillip and little Murphy what a trip.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congratulations, Guys!!! Fantastic effort.

    Come back and see us soon.

    Jim, Gail and all at Craigshall, Auchencairn

    ReplyDelete