Alison and Alison and the art of re-tyrement

Distance 10.9 miles Temperature 28 degrees A crisis at the beginning of the day. Our comfortable, simple room had no kettle. Alison brought out the water heater. The plug did not fit any of the sockets. No cup of tea. An inauspicious start to the day. But then a surprise. We were in pursuit of…

Distance 32 miles Elevation gain 824 ft Temperature 33 degrees The day started with a dilemma. It was hot and we had a hill to climb. Taking into account our elderly state we discussed whether we should leave early to avoid climbing in 33 degrees. But we didn’t have our stamp for the Credenziale and…

Distance 24.2 miles Temperature 35 degrees Yesterday evening we were told by the staff at the Duomo that we could get our stamp for the Credenziale from 8.00am in the Cathedral bookshop. We arrive at the bookshop at 8.40 am – it is closed. On opening we are told to get our stamps from the…

Distance 31.66 miles Temperature 34 degrees Today we started along the Via Francigena. The original pilgrims made their way from across Europe to Rome and then onto the ports of Brindisi or Santa Maria di Leuca. They then took a boat to travel onto Jerusalem. We were quietly confident. Today’s route was 28 miles and…

The morning started at 2.30pm. The taxi arrived on time and although it was a squash and a squeeze we fitted everything in. We arrived in Brindisi and the Hitch Bike representative was waiting for us. We loaded his van and he dropped us off at the shop but then vanished with our bikes and…

We admit to some trepidation. We are off to the country of high fashion, elegance and a carefully curated wardrobe. We have to be up at 3.00am but it didn’t seem right to leave without a party. After all we have our reputations to consider. Time for bed. Tomorrow we rise early and the adventure…

Distance 60.4 miles Ascent 1008 metres Seaview Hotel John O’Groats Our last day. We started and finished the ride in rain. Well it has been quite a year. Have cycled over 2,600 miles in all kinds of weather. Experiences have been shared with friends old and new and there has been a lot of fun…

Distance 45.7 miles Ascent 542.8 metres Our penultimate day. We make our way through the Highlands, along the banks of Loch Naver to the coast. A 30 mile cycle. We can polish that off before coffee time now. What hills? We are proper cyclists. Or thought we were until another group of LEGOGers arrived at…

Distance 59.25 miles Ascent 786 metres It happens to the best of us. We followed our guide out of Inverness and into an industrial estate. Round the estate, out, back in again and out again. The cycle path had been rerouted but Peter found the way out for a spectacular ride along the banks of…

Distance 56.1 miles Ascent 881.8 metres A lot to see on our journey today. It was a day of Scottish history and famous landmarks. Onward through the Highlands tomorrow. Not so keen on the word ‘high’. Will endeavour not to hold the whole group up by leaving iPad and toiletries in my room tomorrow. Oh…