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

Thursday 1st July

Hi
Hard to believe we have been away for three and a half months with only 3 days to go.
We have had a brilliant trip and I will be sorry when it ends but I am also looking forward to getting home and sorting everything out.

Monday :
I drove to Southampton to the Red Funnel Ferry Terminal in plenty of time, boarded the Ferry and took Murphy onto the top deck for the 55 minute trip to East Cowes Isle of Wight.
Lovely weather and great trip with calm water and plenty to see.
I drove around the east coast of the island to Ryde, Bembridge and Sandown reaching the campsite near Shanklin just as Simon and Noel arrived from a different direction. Elsie arrived half an hour later.
The pitch was on grass (which we prefer if it is dry ) large and flat with plenty of room for the camper, one car, 4 people, 1 dog and 2 tents.
The site was Ninham Country Holidays touring park Tel. 01983 864243 who very kindly allowed us to stay for half price so a big Thank You.
Sat around in the evening eating, drinking and talking until bedtime.

Tuesday :
Simon and Noel set off fairly early, when we were ready Elsie followed me in her car around the rest of the island.
We went to Ventnor, Niton and stopped at Blackgang Chine where we went around The Disappearing Village with a new exhibition based on the tv series " Coast".well worth the 4.50 entrance charge.
Took us about 2 hours to see everything then drove to the Needles lighthouse at Alum Bay where we met Simon and Noel who stopped for a cup of tea then off again as they still had a long ride to East Cowes where we all stopped for the night.
Wednesday :
I caught the Ferry at 11.00 to Southampton, Elsie caught hers to Portsmouth at 9.00 and Simon and Noel caught the 10.30 to Southampton.
We each went our own way, I went to Lymington, Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole before making my way to our next campsite at Herston near Swanage, had 2 large pitches on grass so I set up the camper, wound out the large awning, put out the table and chairs, put the kettle on and waited for the rest to arrive.
Great evening just chilling out in the evening sun.

Thursday :
After Breakfast we sat around reading then we all ( including Murphy ) walked to the train station and caught a Steam Train to Swanage where we spent about 4 hours looking around, had lunch and sampled the local Piddle Ale.
Did a shop then caught the Steam Train back to the campsite where we all collapsed in the heat and in no time we were all asleep.
We are now preparing the evening meal, they are having Curry and I am having hot smoked Salmon Ploughmans.

Hope to see as many as possible on Sunday 4th July in the afternoon at Alf Resco's
All for now
Phil

Beachy Head
View from top of lighthouse Dungeness
View of Ferry Port from the White Cliffs of Dover
Simon at Whitstable

Monday 28th June

Friday :
Simon spent the day in Brighton, I decided to chill out at the campsite, I wound the Awning out, put out the table and chairs and read my book in the sun.
Took Murphy for a walk, had coffee with a couple in a neibouring motorhome and then watched the football.
Saturday :
Justine ( Daniels Partner)and Neve came to see me on Saturday morning, we had tea in the sun then I was driven into Brighton.
We had a good look around The Lanes shopping area and was impressed by Snoopers Paradise a lot of small shops within a large shop full of so many collectables I could have browsed all day.
We met Simon had lunch and sat in the park.
While Simon and Justine had a drink Neve and I went for a look around the Pavilion , blown away by the magnificent Dining and Music rooms probably the best rooms I have ever seen, highly recommended if you are in Brighton.
When we came out Jeff (Daniels friend) and Zoe had joined Simon and Justine for a drink, I then had a cab back to the campsite took Murphy for a walk and Justine came and collected us both drove us back to her place and cooked us an evening meal which we ate in the garden.
Simon and I had a cab back late evening luckily the cab driver was ok with Murphy on my lap.
Got back and went to bed.
Sunday :
Simon rode off to Brighton where he met up with some mates who cycled part of the way with him.
Justine and Neve came to see me again, we sat in the sun,they helped me pack up, took me to Asda for a shop and then we went to a cafe for light lunch.
I then set off on my days trip through Brighton, Hove, Worthing stopping to take in the views then finished at Bognor Regis where we stopped for the night.
We were joined by Elsie ( Simon's Girlfriend ) and Noel ( Simon's Friend ) who have joined us for the rest of the trip.
Off to the Isle of Wight now so I will let you know how we get on.
All for now
Phil

Thursday 24th June

Sunday afternoon :
While we walked around Tankerton Simon's friends Warren and Claire + baby Layla ? were in the area and joined us at the Fete, had a good afternoon, watched a couple of vintage planes do a couple of bypasses then walked back to the site for a quiet evening.
Monday :
I drove to Herne Bay onto Margate, Broadstairs And Ramsgate down through Sandwich (amused to also see a sign for the village of Ham ) and down for a stop at Deal.
Next stop was the National Trust site of the " White Cliffs of Dover ", Walked along the clifftop in the sun with Murphy and watched the Ships docking loading with Lorries and setting off for wherever then the next ships would arrive, just to think this is going on 24/7.
Had a pot of tea at the cafe but to my dismay I was informed that 2 coach loads of Italians had devoured all the food except Cakes and Crisps and I am off both of those.
Made my way to Folkestone then to our Campsite at Hythe, set everything up and took Murphy for a walk around a large dog walk on the site.
Tuesday :
Simon"s friend Rob arrived from London  to ride for 1 day. Rob rode the spare bike and I met them in the afternoon at  Dungeness. What an amazing place, Large Power Station, 2 Lighthouses and the whole area was covered by Shacks, some made from old railway carriages, some made from bits of wood and galvanise but not unsightly just interesting.
I climbed to the top of the Lighthouse and what a view 360 degrees?
When Simon and Rob arrived I looked after the bikes while they climbed to the top of the Lighthouse.
We had a cup of tea in the cafe and watched the smallest Public train pull into the station, fill up with passengers and off again to Hythe, about an Hour trip each way, the carriages were very small like at Paignton Zoo.
Went to Rye then onto Fairlight Wood campsite set in woods, very small and quiet and great sunshine.
When Simon and Rob arrived Rob said he was blown away by the ride and would have liked to ride till the end of the trip but he had to get back for work.
I drove Rob to Hastings to catch the train home then Simon and I returned to the campsite for a peaceful evening. ( nearly finished my book " The girl who kicked the Hornets nest")
Wednesday :
Through Hastings to Bexhill onto Eastbourne then stopping at Beachy Head for a couple of hours relaxing on the clifftop, had a long conversation with a chaplain who was 1 of 16 who regularly patrol the clifftop trying to stop people from committing suicide in fact they had 2 call outs this morning both ended OK.
Travelled on to Seaforth and Newhaven where I met Simon and Mark (Lofty) who was riding with Simon for the day, they were making their way to Brighton to watch the football.
I drove to Sheepcote Valley campsite and booked in for 4 days.
Set up the tv and watched the Football (that was a bit better ).

Went for a walk to Brighton Marina, heard a Fire engine and unfortunately for a young lad his VW camper caught fire and was totally destroyed, black smoke everywhere.

Thursday :
Simon and I walked to Asda at the Marina did a shop and walked back, had lunch and Simon rode into Brighton to meet a friend.
All for now
Phil

Monday 21st June am

Good morning
Thursday :
Drove to Winterton on Sea then stopped at Great Yarmouth for a walk around then through Lowestoft and Southwold stopping the night near Leiston.
Friday :
Went to Woodbridge past Ipswich and stopped at Tiptree where I visited the Wilkin and Sons Tiptree Jam Factory.
Spent some time looking around the Jam Museum, resisted the temptation to have a Cream Tea with Tiptree Preserves but spent a few pounds on Jams etc. in the shop.
Very enjoyable couple of hours.
Then parked in a field at Saltcote near Maldon, we had the whole field to ourselves.
Took Murphy for a walk to Decoy Point on the estuary, saw a Causeway leading to an island which turned out to be Osea Island, a bird sanctuary but also a Rehab centre for the rich and famous.
The island is completely cut off at high tide.
Had a good relaxing stay even though in the next field a group of Morris Dancers camped for the night, we expected some noise but they were fine.
Watched England mess things up again then went to bed
Saturday :
Went to Chelsford to visit Sandy one of Ann's oldest friend, had a chat and a cup of coffee then we went to her Son and Daughter in laws house( Alexander and Jane ) for lunch, met their daughter Amilia ?? then realized I had to get to Whitstable by 6.00 as that is when they shut the gates to the campsite.
Got there at 5.50 but I had been misinformed as when I got to the site there were no gates just the reception was closed.
When Simon arrived I took Murphy for his walk along the seafront towards Herne Bay, lovely evening.
Sunday :
Simon had a day off so we walked to Tankerton where on the green beside the sea was a fete in aid of various charities, lovely sunny day, lots to see and do.
I have got five minutes to leave the campsite so all for now
Phil

Thursday 17th June am

Hi everyone
Tuesday :
Drove from Sandringham through Hunstanton along the coast to the Muckleburgh Collection at the Weybourne Military Camp.
A museum of Military Vehicles, Uniforms and Weapons including a Harrier Jump Jet, a Doodlebug and Surface to Air Missiles.
Spent about 2 hours there, waited for Simon and then had late lunch while working out where we would stop for the night deciding on a site near Cromer.
Parked near the clifftop with great walks along the coast.
Wednesday :
Day off for Simon so we caught the bus and spent most of the day in Cromer looking around the book shops and Collectors shops, had lunch and finished the day by climbing up a stone spiral staircase with over 160 stairs to the roof of the tower with an amazing view over the town.
Back at the campsite we chilled out in the sun reading until bedtime.
All for now
Phil