Captain's Log - Days 3 - 12

Day 3 Monday 11th May
Okehampton - Tiverton Parkway
Susan took me across Dartmoor to yesterday's finishing point and I set off into the east wind. Lovely Devon scenery on B and A roads via Crediton and Tiverton to Tiverton Parkway Station. All the time the wind was full into my face taking so much energy. The sun shone but if only I'd been going the other way. Stopped for lunch in a field with lovely views over the Devon countryside. The bike was locked up at the station and I took the train home to Totnes.
Stats: Distance 38.4 Cumulative 137.4 Moving average 9.5mph Time moving 4hrs 1min Start 0945 End 1445
Day 4 Tuesday 12th May
Tiverton Parkway - Bristol
The 7.30 train from Totnes got me back to Tiverton for 0845. I was on the A38 almost the whole way to Bristol - it was much busier than expected. I was expecting a quiet A road by-passed by the M5. The wind was again very strong, perhaps 30mph, full in my face. Even cycling across the Somerset Levels it was a struggle. When I turned northwards the wind seemed to turn too. Through the Mendips the road rose to over 600 feet past Bristol airport - all very tiring. Eventually I reached Clifton Suspension Bridge via Long Ashton and Ashton Court - what a relief. Stayed with Albert, a friend of 55 years, and wife Pramila in Clifton
Stats: Distance 63.8 miles Cumulative 201.2 Moving average 9.8mph Time moving 6hrs 31mins Start 0855 End 1700
Day 5 Weds 13th May
Bristol to Hereford (Fawley)
Damp and drizzly but no wind - wonderful. The ride north out of Bristol was via Cribbs Causeway (past 305 Passage Road - my shared rented house 40 years ago). Just over an hour to the Severn Bridge then up the Wye valley. A hot chocolate at Tintern Abbey was very welcome to warm up. The route from then on was was relatively quiet and with some lovely scenery. Stopped at Monmouth for a bit of shopping - extra fleece needed! (Probably slowed my average speed as the GPS recoreded my every slow step) The ride out on the A466 rose to 650 feet but little traffic - then down to the Wye and round to Albert’s cottage. What a beautiful place right on the bank of the Wye. The best day yet in spite of the drizzle and the cold.
Stats: Distance 51.5 Cumulative 252.7 Moving average 10.4mph Time moving 4hrs 58mins Start 0850 End 1615
Day 6 Thurs 14th
Hereford (Fawley) to Shrewsbury
A pleasant days cycling through Hereford and Shropshire - overcast with a bit of drizzle at times. Along B roads from Albert’s to Hereford the A4110 to join the busy A49 just north of Craven Arms. a detour through Church Stretton gave a break from the busy road - situated between the Long Mynd and Wenlock Edge, both invisible in the cloud. Arrived at Shrewsbury on cycle paths and paused in town before staying with Andrew and Loes Pattison (church contacts)
Stats: Distance 68.2 Cumulative 320.9 Moving average 10.9mph Time moving 5hrs 59mins Start 0850 End 1615
Day 7 Fri 15th
Shrewsbury to Willaston (Wirral)
Manoeuvred around Shrewsbury on cycle paths. Drizzle most of the morning but lovely level route on A528 not too busy. Stopped at Ellesmere to buy lunch - it looked lovely beside the lake. Through Wrexham, very run down, and then traffic got busier except through Hawarden. Took the parallel B road across the Dee parallel to A550. Then A550, narrow and busy, to A540. Arrived at Nigel (friend of 50 years) and Clare at Willaston not very tired.
Stats: Distance 51.7 Cumulative 372.6 Moving average 11.5mph Time moving 4hrs 30 mins Start 0830 End 1400
Day 8 Rest day Visited Chester by bus
Day 9, Sun 17th
Willaston to Lancaster
Set off with Nigel with a strong following wind all the way to the Birkenhead Ferry. Much derelict land. caught the 0905 ferry across the Mersey to a deserted Liverpool. After navigating through the city, I set off north on the A59 stopping at Ormskirk for a loo stop at Morrisons. It was mainly a following wind but sometimes from the right but a flat route giving a good average of 12.8mph. had to shelter in a church lytch gate just north of Preston for prolonged shower. Arrived early in Lancaster so had a long wait until 6 to arrive at scheduled time at David Beddings (church contact). Enjoyed a prolonged hot choc in Costa's. rain between 5 and 6.
Stats: Distance 66.5 Cumulative 435.6 Moving average 12.3 Time moving 5hrs 7 mins Start 0810 End 1510
Day 10 Mon 18th
Lancaster to Penrith
Met Mark, brother in law, at Lancaster station - drizzling. Set off and found a good canal path to Carnforth. mark had the first of 3 punctures on new tyres. Punctures had to be mended and new tube bought in Kendall. Slow progress in the morning. The canal path became mud and we had to take to the A65. Some back roads via Burneside before getting to Kirkstone Pass which climbs to 1500 feet. Not too bad some walking for me but Mark ok with low gears. Wonderful run down to Patterdale. Wind behind all day. Lovely ride along Ullswater. Arrived Penrith Station perfect timing for Mark’s train back to Lancaster and meal and accommodation at Thelma and Graham Allen (church contacts). It was good to have Mark’s company today.
Stats: Distance 61.1 Cumulative 496.7 Moving average 10.4mph Time moving 5hrs 34mins Start 0850 End 1800
Day 11 Tues 19th
Penrith to Dumfries
After a cooked breakfast I pedaled off up the A6, a good wide fairly quiet road with a following wind – made it to Carlisle non-stop 17.8 miles at 14.5mph. Enjoyed a Costa coffee before setting off for Scotland. Crossed the border at Gretna – worth a photo. Turned west on the B road to Annan and Dumfries. Wind on the “beam” so buffeted and rather tiring. Sunny and very breezy spending time beside the river at Dumfries. Annan and other places along the Solway rather run down. Stayed with Lesley and Graeme Tait (church contacts)
Stats: Distance 59.7 Cumulative 556.4 Moving average 11.9 Time moving 4hrs 33mins Start 0825 End 1500
Day 12 Wed 20th May
Dumfries to Kilmarnock
Early start out on to the A76 – very busy. On advice took B roads via Monaive. Lovely Borders scenery. Very quiet roads, sometimes no cars for 20 minutes. Two climbs of 1,000 feet dropping in between to 500 feet at Carsphairn. After Patna I took B roads again through Drongan to Kilmarnock. This latter part was a series of ups and downs across rolling hills. I was trying to get the 14.55 from Kilmarnock but missed it by 10 minutes and had ¾ hour wait. Changed stations at Glasgow for fast train to Edinburgh. At the end of a long day the 5 mile ride uphill to Simon’s barracks was very tiring but after a hot bath the 3 course mess dinner was very welcome. This was the longest day so far but probably the best cycling.
Stats: Distance 68.9 miles (plus 5 in Edinburgh) Cumulative 625.3 Moving average 11.2mph Time moving 6hrs 10mins Start 0800 End 1505

LEJOG Bike Ride update

Maurice's journey continues well and he is keeping in good spirits.
Yesterday he cycled from Lancaster to Penrith with brother-in-law Mark. The wind was strong and was pushing them swiftly forward and they had an excellent ride despite the intermittent rain.
He's also been blessed with warm hospitality from church contacts at Shrewsbury, David Bedding at Lancaster, and last night with Graham & Lesley Tait.
Today he reaches Scotland!

Note: A friend has set up a page for sponsoring Maurice on the JUSTGIVING website. This makes it really easy to sponsor him. See www.justgiving.com/ethiopialejog

Maurice Riding on Air

Maurice was interviewed for Radio Devon about his cycle ride
by Lincoln Shaw for The Sunday Breakfast Show which goes out on 17/05/09 between 7and 8 am.

You can hear it on 103.4 FM or 104.3 or 95.7 depending where you live. Or you can listen online at

http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/local_radio

Bike ride LE-JoG update

Maurice setting off from Land's End

Latest Report from Mission Control in Totnes:

Maurice's cycle ride from Okehampton - Tiverton and Tiverton - Bristol was tough going with a north east wind. He left his bike at Tiverton and caught the train home for a comfortable night's sleep in his own bed. Susan took him to Totnes Station for the 07.50 back to Tiverton to collect his bike.
The journey on to Bristol was long and arduous 63 miles! He stayed the night with an old friend he has known since boy scout days.

LEJOG Bike Ride, Sunday 10th May

Sunday 10th May - Summercourt to Okehampton

We gave our first church talk on Sunday morning - in fact we were the preachers with a 15 minute talk about Ethiopia and EEA. This was very well received with plenty of questions and discussion after the service. Susan handled most of this whilst Maurice and Simon pedalled off to the A30.
The day again went well. The forecast head-wind didn't materialise. There was a very light breeze and the day was pleasantly sunny. We expected a tough day of hills including crossing Bodmin Moor. There were two ascents to over 900 feet, the second of which just before the end at Okehampton was not expected and seemed to go on for ever. We were cycling against the clock as we had made a late start after church and Simon had a flight to catch at Exeter. Susan's arrival at Okehampton coincided with ours to the minute and we were able to reload the bikes and set off to the airport in good time. Simon was not too sorry to leave the bike - there was a suggestion it should be left at the roadside in Okehampton with a note "free to a good home!". I went home for the night.

Comments on the route: The entire journey from Lands End to Okehampton was on the A30 contrary to advice from the book and guides. Riding on a busy road, dual carriageway most of the way, is not pleasant. The noise and proximity to fast traffic is the worst bit. However, there is a 1 metre hard strip which gives relative safety, ie. vehicles do not have to significantly pull out around you. According to the guides, Cornwall and Devon is the worst part of the the whole LEJOG - too many river valleys to cross. The A30 evens out those ups and downs. Being a Devon resident I had little interest in seeing the scenery - I just wanted to get that bit done as quickly and easily as possible. I'm glad it's behind me!

Stats: Miles 55.3. Cycling time 4hrs 40min, Moving average 11.8mph. Sart time 11.42 Finish time 4.46

LEJOG getaway from Land's End

Saturday 9th May - Lands End to Summercourt.

Set off by car from Dartington at 8.30. Cold rather overcast morning. Susan, Simon and I arrived at Lands End about 10.45 (Simon, my son, had flown down from Edinburgh the night before for the weekend). After unloading and piecing together 2 bikes we went down to the famous signpost with one arm pointing to John O'Groats and another to Ethiopia 3977 miles. Simon and I set off about 11.45. He was on my old 25 year old bike and straight away started having trouble with the gears. This caused trouble for the next two days but being very fit he was able to cope. There was a wonderful following wind so we breezed into Penzance stopping there at a friend's house for coffee. The wind continued right through to our day's destination Summercourt about 8 miles north east of Truro arriving at 4.15. We stayed with Barbara and Ron old friends of Susan who run the village post office.

Stats: (I have a GPS that gives me lots of useful information). Miles 43.7. Cycling time 3hr 7min. Moving average 14.0 mph. (I anticipate that won't be beaten!) Start time 11.45. Finish time 4.15

Ethiopia - Easter 2009

This was our 5th visit and this time we were a group of six. We took off from Heathrow with a quarter ton of luggage (Ethiopian Airlines has a very generous luggage allowance!) which included clothes for orphans and destitute children and a sewing machine.

The first week was spent in Addis Ababa. Much of this time was spent at Emmanuel Baptist Church teaching counselling skills to 25 adults and teaching songs and Bible stories and playing with 220 children. The church is in a very deprived part of Addis and provides a haven for the local population to come and receive love and support and to worship and learn about the Christian faith. Children especially come to learn and play. EEA provides funding for 10 of the most needy children in the church many of whom have lost parents or other family members through AIDS. The £10 per month provides each child with equipment for school, health checks, welfare support and a "safety net" for them and their family. During this time we met up with two of our sponsored students. Mulugeta, our first student is in his second year at tourism management college. He grown in confidence and his English is greatly improved since we met him 3 years ago. Alene is at pharmacy college and is progressing well. It was encouraging to see their progress but with the poor sterling rate the money sent to them each month has reduced and local inflation has increased.

At the end of the week we made a brief visit to the orphanage at Weliso 70 miles from Addis. We were able to distribute an item of clothing to each of the 43 children.

For the second week we flew north to Lalibela in the Ethiopian Highlands. Lalibela is famous for its 11 rock hewn churches built in the 13th century in spectacular scenery. The town is now a World Heritage site but for most of the population life is still a struggle. As well as some sight seeing we met up with other sponsored students and a christian family who provide help to many people in the community. We also met an evangelical pastor who risks persecution in running a church in this strong orthodox area.

Bahar Dar on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, was our final stop before returning to Addis for the flight home. Another sponsored young man, Yeshambel lives here. With his sister and younger brother he shares a small house made of poles and mud, except he hasn't enough mud to complete it. With EEA's sponsorship he is able to attend school. Yeshambel was our guide as we took a boat across the lake to visit monasteries on islands.

The group gelled together extremely well. We achieved a lot, met many people, spread the Gospel wherever we could and where appropriate and we had fun. We are sure that those who came want to return.