I’d always intended to start early today, partly because i wanted to catch the sunrise, but also because I knew with a long distance to cover including a trip to Holy Island, I’d have to factor in a fair bit of cycling and photography time. It’s poignant that this trip combined a bike ride with an …
Continue reading “Day 7 – Final Day of Ampler challenge. Dunbar to MorpethDistance 175km”
Today got off to a really pleasant start. I had an awesome breakfast, after an amazing night’s sleep in Ineshewan farmhouse. This has to have been the darkest, quietest place I’ve ever slept. What’s more, it was meticulously cleaned and beautifully set up for guests. Riding out as planned at precisely 8am, the sun was …
Continue reading “Day 6 Ampler challenge. 25th August. Tyndrum – Dunbar. 185km Second last day.”
Today started with a quick dash to the ferry to catch the 8:40 crossing. All went with military precision of course and the boat trip was calm, with the promise of a fine day ahead. We met Priit and Melissa from Ampler, deciding that they wanted to redo a couple of shots. Please never underestimate the …
Today was always going to be a new experience for me. Those that know me, realise I’m not really one for hogging the limelight, so maybe I should have thought more about the implications of the prize winning telephone conversation that included ‘we will film you for some of the trip’.Expecting a few sketchy youtube clips …
Continue reading “Day 4 Ampler challenge. Starring me .. Iona to Craignure.. and back a bit.”
Enjoyed 2 Ferry trips and a shortish (3hrs) but strenuous ride to Iona. Need I even mention it’s been raining again 😧. Bike faring very well, but my body less so today. This is my third visit to Iona. The first was on my honeymoon in 1997. We had no plans, no major expectations and …
Continue reading “Day 3. Connel to Iona. 80km, several mountains and a dodgy ferry trip.”
Another tough day with some real highs and intermittent despair, mainly due to the rain. Much of my day was spent riding the national cycle network, first on route 754 to Falkirk, taking in the Avon Aqueduct and following the path of the Union canal. I then joined route 76, taking me through Stirling. There’s …
Continue reading “Day 2. 21st August. Bathgate to Connel. Distance 178km”
Well that was eventful. All went well until approaching Peebles, I came across the most beautiful and appealing cycle track. A Sustrans route running along the banks of tbe Tweed towards Peebles. It was utterly breathtakingly pretty, but sort of got a bit lost amidst a village about 4 miles away from my second charging …
Continue reading “First day. 20th August. Morpeth to Bathgate. 195km”
I entered a competition a little while ago, not really thinking I stood much chance of being one of the lucky few. My story, doubtless resonates with a great many people. I’m certainly not alone in experiencing real heartache and as I say often enough, I hold no monopoly on grief. But clearly, making connections …
Continue reading “Ampler Challenge. Morpeth to Iona and back in a week.”
Andrew's Ampler Challenge ride 