Man down.

Day Fourteen

Stayed in what can only be described as an ultra nationalist gypse camp site just outside Dussel Dorf. Think punks in tents/caravans and toy dolls hung from the sides of buildings. Nice.

Awoke at 0430 to get up in time to get Dave to the station in time for his train. At 0730, why he chose such an early train is beyond me, but the relief of leaving the camp site was welcome. A sense of "exercise" was overwhelming as we were squaring away kit before first light.

Naturally we got lost in the city finding our way to the station - however at 0530 in the morning the city was quiet so we had the streets to ourselves, freely cycling the wrong way down one way streets. Bakeries open for early morning trade at least made the place smell nice.

Found the station with time for a McDonalds breakfast and to sort some kit out. Dave generously let us have free reign of his kit that he would not longer need, like vultures we scavaged what we could.

Sad to see Dave go, was an awesome addition to the team as always and a very welcome companion. Thanks for joining us mate!

Next on the list was a laundrette - the first time we have washed kit since day four. Looking forward to putting on a fresh pair of socks and shorts.



Made use of the time by sorting out the route for the rest of the journey, working out where we needed to be and when on better scale maps in order to get to Bavaria in time for adventure training.



The rest of the day entails of Charlotte sorting out her return to the UK, finding a bike shop for some new cleats, a camp shop for some kit (I lost my spork on day one, and my lunch box got destoryed in a cycle polo related incident thanks to FNG Dangle Berry), food and somewhere to stay.

Comments!

As I understand, some of you have been having trouble posting comments. That should now be fixed - so please feel free to leave some!

Tom

xx

Where to begin?

It's been a few days but we've been very much without power and Internet.

Day Eight Continued

Managed to blag our way on to the bridge of the ferry and take some pictures, was pretty cool to see and be shown around. A picture in the Captain's chair, but no toot of the horn unfortunately.



Off the ferry and in the brillant Dutch sunshine. Embarked on a cycle towards Rotterdam, struggling with the left hand drive roads. Fortunately the Netherlands has awesome bicycle paths next to every road where cyclists get priority most of the time. Found some food after a beer and landed ourselves in a beautiful park (the picture doesn't do it justice)



Under the illusion that on the countinent you can camp anywhere 7 till 7 we got scoff on the go and started to set up camp. A man - who had also set up camp to do some night fishing - approaches us and asks if we have a permit to camp there. Hmmm, this is new. With a tale of "Polish taking cocaine and ruining the Dutch country side" and the firm impression that this man did not want us ruining his night fishing, with the fear of a 60 euro fine we bit the bullet and continued into Rotterdam to find a campsite. Tired and stressed we found our way. Set up camp in the dark and drank more wine than we care to think about. At least Ellie and I did, the rest of the team hit the sack.

Day Nine

Grim morning. Weather looked bleak and Ellie and I were feeling some what sorry for ourselves (and still a little bit pissed) We packed up camp and began our adventure to to Utrect. With some umm'ing and arrr'ing we managed to follow various cycle routes through Rotterdam in the direction of travel - east - back to the Rhine. Stopped for a brew outside a church in time to see the Dutch heading for Sunday morning service in their Sunday best. Much wondering about their thoughts of what 5 cyclists where up to outside their beloved church.

And commeth the rain. It rained all fucking day.

We stopped for lunch and had awesome burger in a restuarnt along the way, us, our kit and our bikes gopping. A mysterious smell of poo had been plaguing cyclists behind me. Turns out I had at some point stood in some of Hollands finest. After lunch and de-pooing of my cleats (the bits of shoe that clip into the peddle) we continued on route.

More fucking rain. Lots of wind following the Rhine on a dyke, and many kilometres between towns and villages. Took shelter in an underpass and had a brew.



Spirits lifted, we continued.

Arrived at Utrect and began looking for somewhere to stay, upon looking at the map we found one on the outskirts of Bunnie, to the east of Utrect and set off to get our heads down. Upon leaving Bunnie we very quickly ran out of bike route. After cycling in the UK and on dual carriage ways ect, it was no real drama cycling on the road so we cracked on. A very visible sign, circle in shape with a red rim and a red bicycle in the middle, turns out means you cannot in fact cycle down the road. As said the Police Officer on the motorbike that stopped us very shortly into our illegal cycle. First run-in with the rozzers out the way. The Police Officer soon realised we were confused English tourists and let us on our way.

Arrived at the campsite and it was full. No dramas though they allowed us to set up camp in their garden. Next to a chicken pen and a cow shed.

Long day, another 60 miler however Holland is flat as a pancake, so wasn't too grueling.

Day Ten

Awoken in the morning by the chickens and moving of cows. Still raining. The plan was to head to Arhem, where Operation Market Garden had failed so badly many years before. We headed back to the Rhine and continued our journey in the pissing rain, along yet another windy dyke road.

A sense of heading deeper inland as Holland had started presenting us with a few minor inclines.

Ellie had her first puncture just outside of Oosterbeck, not bad considering we had travelled nearly 400 miles by this point. As the going had been slowish we decided to set up camp nearby. We found possibly the most confusing campsite in the world - "call this number to reserve" scralled on a piece of paper in an information box. The number naturally didn't work so we set up camp in a free space anyway. Eventually got through to the owner and said we'd pay in the morning.

Rob and I travelled into Oosterbeck to get some meat for the evenings dinner. The plan was for pre-cooked chicken. Naturally us being useless, we returned with bacon fat. In our defence, it does kind of look like chicken.

Day Eleven

Cycled into Arhem and stopped at a bike shop to get our tyres pumped up professionally and to look for some more protien and carbohydrate shakes to help keep calories and energy levels up. Upon asking the man behind the counter for air, the reply "Yes, come round the backside and I will pump you" kept us amused all day. I'm still giggling about it now.

Continued towards the bridge to far, stopped for pictures and to read the plaque which personally sent tingles down my spine.



Crossing the bridge and it became apparent that the man in the cycle shop had pumped Ellie a little too much and with a loud pop, her back wheel's inner tube exploded. Puncture Number 2.

Back along side the Rhine and followed the river into Germany. An amazing feeling all round that we had cycled the length of a country. Yes, Holland is small, but still an achievement none the less.

Upon entering the campsite for the evening, and arrive at our pitch for the night the plague of my weak back wheel struck. With a twang a spoke had broken upsetting the shape of the wheel. Broken spoke number 2. With advice from Ellies friend Ian "Don't worry about broken spokes, more a mountian biking thing... But if it happens, tape it to the nearest one and head to closet bike shop".

That evening it began to rain, and boy, did it rain.

Day Twelve

0400
"Rob, I think its raining"
"Yeah, I think so too"
"Rob, its raining in my tent"
"Well it would appear that the WHOLE of the worlds water supply is falling on us"

Fortunately it let up - but I must elaborate on the whole tent situation. Ellie has been dubbed tent destoryer. Not only has she managed to put a hole through her own, and break a pole, so has done the same for mine. And the evening before, she had set up my tent. Hence it raining inside. Never mind eh?

On route to the bike shop in the morning Ellie got Puncture number 3. Awesome little shop fixed up my back wheel nicely, filled it with air. Ellie had totally destroyed her back tyre - possibly with a tyre lever but more likely wear. Having purchased a new tyre we we're good to go. Rob also got himself a cycle computer for his bike. On the road again. I got a puncture shortly after setting off. Puncture Number 4.

We had an awesome afternoon cycling, the sun came out and we have been taking long stretches of cycling - 20k + in turns leading at 15 minute intervals. The pace is only improving and we are all getting faster, stronger and more confident on the bikes. Ended up doing 40k in 1 hour 35 minutes. We had the same distance again to cover to get to Duisberg to camp up for the evening.

That being said the bike routes in Germany suck compared to Holland, while cyclists are well catered for, the conditions of the paths - especially in towns - is not good. A mixture of the quick pace and the dodgy roads led to Dave writing-off his bike rather dramatically.

The curbs do not meet the road, so when crossing a road, you have to bumps in quick consession, especially considering we are moving at around 15-16 mph, and the paths are often cobbled and cracked. Not ideal for heavy bikes with lots of kit moving at speed.

Daves front pannier came loose going down a curb, and got tangled with his wheel going up the other side. Rob, being immediately behind Dave came off his bike as well. Being the last man I saw Daves legs in the air above Rob's head and his bike coming down on top of him. Rob managed to mutter out a "Dave!" before too hitting the deck.

Dave's front rack had been drawn around the wheel and back on to itself stopping him immediately. However in situations like this - pictures speak louder than words. They're both fine by the way.



The boys feeling a bit sore and Dave in a state of shock, we shuttled the kit, bikes and Dave into a nearby hotel and had a beer, as you do.

Organised another hotel to stay at - the near by one being very dear - and walked the bikes 5k back up the hill with an advanced party going ahead to get it sorted. Puncture Number 5 for Rob enroute but we got settled at the hotel with food and more beer. A plan was hatched to get Daves bike sorted the next day.

The positive side of the accident was a staying in a hotel - I haven't slept in a bed since Day Four. We also haven't done any washing since Day Five, so a laudrette is a priority after getting Dave sorted, as the smell can only be described as horrendous.

Day Thirteen

Awoke to the news that due to Dave's broken bike and limited funds - his trip is coming to an unexpect and abrupt end. A sense of bewilderment has over come the team and many of the members, except for Ellie and I, are arranging their travel arrangements home, be it within the next day or so for Dave, upon arrival to Bavaria for Rob and somewhere inbetween for Charlotte.

Still in the process of getting everything sorted from the day before - Dave planning his return home to the UK and trying to get his bike fixed at a nearby shop whilst the rest of us try and get as much admin done as possible and plan for the rest of the day.

Strange one.

Tom, Ellie, Charottle, Rob and Dave.

xx

P.S

On a different note we've crossed the £900 donation mark, which was a milestone for me personally. £1 for every mile we will cycle. A huge huge huge acheivement and many thanks to those that have supported us all on this trip. Another huge thanks on behalf of SSAFA Forces Help.

Looks like the trip is probably going to be about 1000 miles. So continue to cough up to support us all, and for SSAFA Forces Help.

Thanks again,

Tom

I arrived at Harwich International to a 3 man wolfpack. They surronded me, 3 veteran cyclists, inspecting every detail of me and my boat (the boat being my bicycle, Jess or Chimera, I haven't decided yet)..-silence shook the air. Scowering me with there eyes and nose (I'm pretty sure Tom was sniffing me) they eventually warmed up there voice boxes and engeged me in conversation-"Nice bike Dave."

From there on we set off across the wilderness of Harwich (2 roundabouts), into the depths of farmland (a go-kart track with a tree in it, that was our camp) and met strange and wonderous people (and Irish man).

Later on I picked Rob up from the train station and picked a fight with an electronic barrier-that smashed me on the head and dinted my helmet-I'll have revenge one day.

It is now the next day and I'm on the ship, well we all are, thats kind of a pointless statment but it just gives you a little bit of context realy. I've never blogged before, I guess I'm just supposed to write what the internal monologue in my head is saying- well its a nice ship and the toilets are alright.

I have arrived! Oh and I did bring my deck shoes...after all we are going on a boat

As I sit here writing this, I gaze out at the delights that are aboard the Sienna Britannica. Small children run freely too and fro with old Dutch people looking nervous as they carry their tea from the canteen to the massive bench that they have nabbed. Even though there are only two of them and the bench seats a good six people, and we are left in the office like chairs that inhabit "food city"...but enough ranting, as here begins the trip for myself.

Having said goodbye to Ellie, Charlotte and Tom at the bottom of my hill a few days previously; a change of plans had lead to me being able to join them, along with Dave, on the European Tour. So in double quick time I went about getting ready to meet them up at Harwich on Friday(23rd). With help from Ellie, we got intouch with Evan's Cycles in Manchester. Many thanks to Trev up in the Manchester store for sorting me out with discount and also sourcing me a bike down in London. Managing to find me the same bike as Ellie's, he put me intouch with Jack at the Notting Hill Evan's Cycles.

After a couple of trips down into Notting Hill, and some very good advice from Jack and his collegues at the shop, I found myself pretty well sorted for kit. Thanks!

Packing was dull....no worse than dull...soul destroying. Looking at the mountain of kit that littered my living room floor and wondering how on earth it was going to fit into my panniers. Thanks to my Grandparents for coming over to say hello and providing food, as I was struggling to do anything else but pack.

Timings did slip a little bit with regard to getting moving. Originally I was meant to meet Dave at London Liverpool Street Station at 1630; however I decided to push back this timing and make my own was to Harwich later.

Getting a lift in from my Dad, I arrived at the station raring to go! I subsequently missed my train and had to sit aboout for a further hour! This was not the fault of my Father, who applied all of his London knowledge to get me there on time. It was the fact that it seems all Londoners who use ticket machines at stations are incompetent and lack spare mental capacity!

Once aboard the "Gurhka Express" (actual name...nearly), I met my first bike tourer. Paul, who had nationality in the UK, Australia and the US, was a self employed electrician who spent his year working 'a bit', as he put it, and the rest of the time cycling. I, knowing nothing of the sport, sat like a spong soaking up his knowledge for the next hour until we arrived in Harwich.

Off the train and into the dark...Dave, after meeting me at the station took me down a dirt track to the secret hide out of Team Bavarian Cycle Lion, currently deployed in Operation Pedal Paw in a weak representaion of an Platoon Harbour, with no clearly defined arcs or paths...

Tom was pissed/starting to get hungover due to his wine and the 60 miles he had cycled. I soon curled up, after packing my kit, and listened to the melodic sounds of the swarming mosquitos as I dozed off.

This morning brought light and the ferry. Free breakfasts and trips up to the bridge have made the 7 hour journey fly by...at about 20kts...eeurgh! And this is where we circle back to the here and now....sat watching life aboard the Sienna Britannica bound for Holland.

It's a mini adventure...

Rob....who is very much not the FNG

On your Bike... Team Complete

Sorry we've been slow on the blog posts. Rather hectic couple of days... so let's get you all up to speed!

Day Five

My Dad called in a favour with a client of his, Dr Stan Kay's practice - The Harley Medical Clinic - to sort out Ellie's face, er, mouth, well tooth. Huge thanks to Andreas for the fantastic work on Ellie's poorly tooth.



Fortunately for us, Ellie wasn't as encombered by her denist experience as David:



Ventured through the rest of central London, stopping at Evans's Crouch End Branch, a cycle shop. Charlotte picked up a pair of clip on shoes and some gloves ect. I got myself some Lycra shorts and discovered that I had cycled the first 150 miles with my back break on, Awesome. Also found out that I have a "weak back wheel" and a broken spoke. Fuck. Not too much we can really do about that one so we'll crack on and see what happens with it. Unfortunately wheels tend to be the most expensive parts of bikes.

Naviagated through the north London suburbs and arrived at my mums. Had a huge meal and one to many glasses of wine with a few family and friends. Sleep.

NEWS! Rob is joining us!

Day Six

Sore head in the morning but we had some time to kill so went for a ten mile ride without kit to loosen up. Charlotte wasn't quite used to the clip on's she had got the day before and fell. Into moving traffic. She is fine.

Loaded on the bikes and cycled Arvil and Rod's in Willingale, Essex, a mere 20 or so miles away, so was pretty easy going.On route a car lost control behind us, veered into on-coming traffic, hit an on-coming car, span back through the traffic and stopped short of us by literally 3 metres. That was exciting. Cycled past a tank filled with school kids. Strange journey.

Arrived at a beautiful cottage in the Essex country side. Sort of, kind of, arguably had my first fall on their gravel drive - but I'll leave that up to you to decide if it was or not. I too was fine.

Set up camp in our hosts beautifully manicured lawn (felt bad) and sheltered in the house from the rain. Had food and realised that we had a 60 mile stretch to Harwich the following day crossing 3 1:50000 OS Maps.

Day Seven

Early start, up at 6 am to pack away the kit and get some food in before the daughting 60 miles. Waved goodbye to Avril and Rod and smashed out the first 20 miles without a drama.

Stopped in an awesome pub, The Square and Compasses, where we had free tea and crisps and finally sorted out Ellie's gears. She had been having trouble changing into 3rd gear.

Upon cycling into Witham we cycled past two old boys also out of a cycle. Upon entering the town we hadn't a fucking clue where we were. The chaps caught up with us and offered directions before cycling with us for a short while to show us on our way. Felt like we had ourselves a pair of fighter escorts...



Stopped 10 miles later for Lunch at a place called The Exchange, Tiptree, Essex and got another donation.

Cycling through the Essex country side at 17 miles an hour and a tractor appeared round a bend infront of us taking up the whole road. Another problem with the weight on the bikes is that they take forever to stop. I managed to bring my bike to a halt but Ellie behind me was not quite so lucky, catching her wheel on my pannier and sliding down the road on her already sore backside. Patched up with some gauze and bandages and she too is fine, if not more sore than before!

But the going was getting tough. 10 miles later, the going was even tougher. The last ten miles sucked. The wind had picked up, and cycling into it is grueling. Starting to perfect the whole "drafting" technique where turns are taken to lead the pack and battle the wind, it worked well and saw us home to Harwich! YAY!



By this point it was close to 7 and Dave's train (pussy) had arrived at 6.30 so we hurried to meet him at Harwich Interntional station. Went and found a campsite for the night and got some fish and chips. Quater to 10 and Dave went and picked up Rob an brought him back to the campsite. Had a few beers, bottle of plonk and sleep. Team Complete!

Day Eight

On the ferry and blagged a free breakfast as we're on a charity bike ride. We've managed very well with the charity blag, raising about £80 in donations along the way and numerous freebies. Have a feeling in The Netherlands and Germany blagging for a British Forces charity might not be quite as successful.

Also managed to get up onto the ferry's bridge and had a nose around.

We're arriving in Rotterdam 1630 local time and then the adventure will truely begin...

P.S. The pictures are coming, the Internet in the North Sea is slow.

6 Ton!

We've just passed the £600 mark, thank you to all those who have supported us and SSAFA Forces Help this far. £1000 isn't looking so far away now!

Tom

xx

The Wonders of Windsor and Beyond

Day Four

Left Mr Berry's house in the expected fashion...



...Rob then cycled with us into Windsor where we went to Victoria Barracks to see the changing of the guards, Irish Guards are currently in residence.



Got talking to the Private standing out front waiting for the dismount of the guard and managed to get a picture with them in their bear-skins!



We've been consistently surprised by what merely asking can get you. Some more donations from punters, free chips from the Boat House Hotel (somewhere in south London, no idea where we were)

Mental cycling through London, the centre of. Traffic, pedestrians, other cyclists, kit and, ahem, NOB-ENDS made it quite exciting to say the least.

Another good nights sleep, a dentist appointment for Ellie in the morning and a gentle 20 miles to cover tomorrow. Woop woop!

3/4 of the road warriors!

xx

So why exactly can I not wear the loafers...?

Where do we begin?

Currently sat in Mr Rob Berry's house after a slap up meal.

Charlotte joined us today and the cycling was good, Ellie and myself are really beginning to get to grips with the bike and Charlotte is a great asset to the team. The three musketeers! Very much looking forward to having Dave join us to complete the group.

We've been through the wars a bit so far.

Day One

Left with an entourage and a banner beautifully made by Ellie's mum. Was awesome to have Dave come down to see us out and take a cheeky peak at how we packed out kit which is a total nightmare. You will soon see Dave!



Hard slog really, Somerset has a lot of hills and we experienced our first 15% incline shortly followed by a 20%. Outrageous. Demoralising to know that we will be facing %25-30 in the Alps.

Ended up gate crashing a 40 and 70 year old birthday party in a hotel garden who proceeded to feed us, water us and give us lunch for the next day. Massive shout to them - and the Wilton Pembroke Arms who let us camp for free!

Day Two

Feeling pretty rough in the morning. Smashed a massive Weatherspoons breakfast in Salisbury (couldn't blag a discount - booooo!) I then threw half it up into in the River that runs adjacent. Upon leaving some unsuspecting punters had sat themselves in my mess... Hehe.

We learnt an important lesson - Road bikes aren't good off-road. Took what we believed to be a tidy little short-cut and got totally lost in a forest, for two hours. Emotional. A Hampshire forest lead to a corn field and we sorely emerged from a hedge to the dismay of passing motorists.



Ellie has had some run-ins with foliage, usually of the prickly bush like variety. Complaints of a very scratched arse, much to the amusement of myself.



In all fairness I was still laughing too hard to actually help her out at the point at the time that picture was taken.

"Oh no - not the puddle"



I can't reaffirm how heavy the bikes are so Ellie couldn't get it out - but once again I'm laughing to much to help immediately with her predicament.

Meet up with Charlotte and her boyfriend Ben, who's parents sorted us out with washing and food and beds!

Day Three

Great morning, 10 miles flew by and had our first pint by 11 and a donation from The Gamekeepers Arms, Mapledurwell. Happy days.



Drama, my bike rack broke, completely sheered off above the bolt under the pressure of the weight. OH THE WEIGHT! Each one of our panniers weigh between 9-12k, to the point where we can't pick up the bikes. Somewhat convenient, often leads to an extra pint at pub stops but generally a royal pain in the arse. A particularly vicious bump lead to the said breaking. Kit had to be distributed amongst the troops. Managed to struggle to a Bike shop in Fleet and get it sorted (Cheers to the guys for the advice / discount!)

Stopped at Sandhurst for some pictures, huge thanks to the security who let us in for the pictures and the donation!



(So what it was only the home of the Royal Army Medical Corps)

Eventually found Rob just south of Windsor, conveniently at another pub. After a pint, headed to his for a BBQ cooked expertly by his mother and father. Sorted out some kit and Ellie's dodgy gears. Shortly time for bed!

Bring on what Surrey has to offer - a River to follow. PAH!

Many many thanks to those who have sponsored us, through the website (www.justgiving.com/cyclebavaria) or along the way please see a list of acknowledgements below!

Pembroke Arms.
WhSmiths Salisbury (for opening early so we could get our hands on some OS maps - road maps don't show contours)
Old Lady that stopped us at Podimore roundabout and gave us a fiver.
Evans Cycles (for general support / love)
Ben and his family.
The Gamekeepers Arms.
Sandhurst Security (for taking photos of three sweaty smelly punters)
Rob and his family.

Waiting for the Party to Arrive

Im waiting in Kings Farm, Lower Wield in Hampshire waiting for Ellie and Tom to arrive at some point this lovely summer evening. It feels like the morning of your birthday when your turning 5, the balloons are on the gate and im waiting by the window in anticipation of the first guest. Plan is to meet here this evening and head out tomorrow morning - Harwich bound in a few days. As of yet, I dont know tomorrows destination and the excitment and uncertainty is thrilling. Lets hope ive got enough of the excitment to get us to Bavaria!

Waiting not so patiently - Charlotte

Cycling is an art....

I just got back from my first 30 miler. I made pretty good time and I'm confident that I can hit 20 miles - have a break for lunch and then smash out another 20 miles in the evening if push comes to shove. That being said, the ride I just did was with some kit - by no means all of it - so if we're in a position where more than 40 miles in a day is needed I think I may begin to struggle.

Selecting the right gears to get up hills and maintain a decent pace is proving to be somewhat of an art form. To lower a gear and your ragging yourself unnecessarily looking like the Tasmanian Devil to every motorist / other cyclist / pedestrian who can see you. A higher gear and your preparing yourself for a ball ache of a hill. I went cycling last week with a friend of mine who is far more experienced at cycling than myself - his advice boiled down to this: "Tom, you can't be this pathetic. You need to try and keep peddling at a consistent speed that you are comfortable with working the gears around your pace" Whilst I'm hanging out my arse looking down through stinging sweaty eyes at the speedometer - 4.2mph... That being said I have experienced a few moments of selecting the right gears at the right time - but they are few and far between.

Another alarming thought was the fact that my camelbak only contains 2 litres of water, and I pretty much drank it dry. The other problem with the camelbak is the first mouthful of water is cool due to the piping being exposed, but the next few are horrible and warm because your body heat / heat of summer have near enough boiled it. Yuk!

A final concern is the wind, which I am hoping is somewhat solved by the added weight of the rest of the kit. But at present it blows me all over the fucking place. Especially when you're cycling into it, up a hill. A decent alpine gust will push me backwards...

Cheers once again to all those that have sponsored us!

Tom

xx

News!

Considering that its pretty hot today in London, I've decided to tailor my training schedule to include some acclimatisation training - i.e sitting in the garden in the sun getting used to the weather. This type of training has the added bonus of rectifying my already quite severe Lycra tan lines!

Anyway moving on to the news - I have some good and some bad for you all.

The bad: we still haven't broken that £400 barrier. Boo!

The good: Dave Tooth has bought himself a touring bike and is aiming to join us near Eindhoven or Koln, depending on how quick we're going! Not only will Dave provide much needed moral boost but gives us another avenue of friends, family and support for SSAFA Forces Help. Awesome.

Keep checking for updates - we'll do our best to keep you up to date!

Tom

xx

UPDATE - Massive shout to Ellie Pugh for pushing us over the £400 milestone!

...I think that'll be 3x sore arses!!

Wow guys, epic effort on the sponsoring!!!
All much appreciated.

SSAFA are a brilliant charity supporting all those that serve for our country - that alone is awesome, and well worth all your support.

The three of us now are all approaching the apprehensive stages of planning; I think more to the point, the lack of training is dawning as we approach the final week before our due departure!

We have now raised in access of £370, pretty good effort for a weeks work! and almost another hundred through Gift Aid; like it!

...but who's going to be the one to break that £400 bar???

It's great to know your support is there guys, please keep it coming and
show your support for your servicemen.

I'm sure we will keep you updated on the improvements and anxieties to follow.

Thanks again chaps.

The mighty threesome!
xx