Welcome to Martin's LEJoGblog......

....driving the support van from Land's End to John o'Groat's

(Steering that narrowboat for a mile or two was a lot easier.......!)

Welcome to MartinLEJoGblog, the story of a journey to raise funds for Parkinson's UK Oxford Branch (me - the van driver) and Prostate Cancer UK (cyclist Alan and pal Rob). We plan to show you all the highs (we're not planning on any lows...) of a memorable journey. Read on, and enjoy.

See all the details of the route at Alan's website - www.lejog.me

Donate to Parkinson's UK Oxford Branch at my site

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mtcsupportinglejog

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Journey's End: LEJoG Day 17

We made it! But first the story of the final day. Although the boys had opted for the alternative route, I was able to explore the...

Through Golspie and Brora : LEJog Day 16

The day dawned much brighter in Evanton than we dared hope! Yet again there was a reminder that, taking the side roads, you see things...

Will we Eva[nton] Get There? LEJoG Day 15

We have been blessed with the most wonderful weather and - mostly - good conditions for cycling. Mornings have been getting chillier...

Taking the High[lands] Road : LEJog Day 14

The end of the previous day's ride had been a few miles (uphill - though nothing unusual there!) north at Blair Atholl - a village 'built...

To Pitlochry via the Fair Maid.... LEJoG Day 13

Kirklands maintained its standards at breakfast and I had my first porridge of the autumn. We were joined by Howard, another friend of...

Lead-ing and Forth-right: LEJoG Day 12

To Alan's enormous credit he was up and ready early this morning, and determined not to let 'a little thing like that' stop him (the good...

Border-ing on the unfortunate: LEJoG Day 11

So, van packed (this was at Kidderminster but the same every day: and two more bikes have to be fitted in start and finish!) we prepared...

I think I'll Pass: LEJoG day 10

Much of the (rather nervous) chat and jokes over the last 24 hours had been about today's leg and the ride up to the top of Kirkstone...

A Day of Rest: LEJoG Day 9

Some are better at resting than others....... (but he has got a route to finalise!)...... .....whilst for the Support Team the work goes...

Lancs to Lakes: LEJoG Day 8 - and then a rest!

There's that view again, as the boys get ready to start today. No breakfast at the Hind's Head either so another trip to Macdonalds for...

Through Warrington (well nearly) and Wigan: LEJoG Day 7

With no breakfast on offer it was a trip to Macdonalds for bacon rolls (don't knock it - they are seriously good, folks) for the boys to...

LEJog Day 6: from carpets to canals

Alan and Rob about to set off, featured under Brinton's Bell', which called employees to work at the company (founded in 1783 and still...

The Longest Leg : LEJoG Day 5

We stayed Friday night at The Anchor in Oldbury-on-Severn - an excellent village pub with splendid rooms, excellent food and young...

Severn's Veils lifted.....

Now we will track up the eastern bank of the river: this is the 'Severn Bore' : if by chance you don't know about it...

Big Shout No 2: for Derek Williams, Mayfield Press, Oxford: fellow Rotarian and all-round good guy

A year ago, in time for our first planned attempt, Derek kindly produced four banners like the attached (you wouldn't believe how long it...

If there's a steam railway nearby.....LEJoG Day 4

So having seen the signs to West Somerset Railway, I set off early for Bishops Lydeard - only to find it still shuttered and barred, and...

HOW steep are those hills?! LEJog Day 3

Happy bikers about to set off from Iddesleigh this morning. They weren't laughing quite so much after they had tackled the inclines into...

Another day done: LEJoG 2

Just arrived at the 'Duke of York' in Iddesleigh - where, it transpires. local resident Michael Morpurgo came up with the idea for 'War...

'White van man finds his time has come': Times headline

Good to know that we are really in vogue, with our unmarked rental van!

Martin meets childhood friend 'Willie' Wilson, rock star drummer, after c55 years!

(John) 'Willie' Wilson and I were at Primary School and Youth Club together near Cambridge. He used to bring his drums on a Saturday...

Contact

martin.cowell1@ntlworld.com

07771701285