A short entry just to update you on the return journey. We left at 7.36 am on Saturday 2nd September and arrived in Tadley at 12.47 am this morning. The traffice wasn't too bad excepting for a few roadwork snarl-ups. Stuart and Martyn shared the driving whilst Paul and I sat round in main cabin of the van. I spent a number of hours with my head pressed against the window of the van in the hope that a bit of sunshine might remove the zebra-like stripes I have acquired from my helmet. The rays of the sun gently tanned the exposed bits of my scalp over the 23 days of the ride causing a two-tone pattern to emerge.

 

Thanks to our drivers for their hard work in returning everyone safely home.

 

Once we unpacked the van onto the manse driveway Stuart was finally able to get back to his former life. I packed Martyn and Paul's kit into my car, plus my dog Doogle, and we then did a round robin tour dropping Martyn off and the to Winchester to return Paul to his place. Doogle kept me company for the return leg, and we got back at 2.30 am. I luxuriated in the comfort of a warm bath for a few minutes before hitting the pillow and a short night's sleep in my own bed.

 

At precisely 6.30 am my eyes opened - but quickly closed again. I had for a moment thought I had some more cycling to do, but a check on my location reminded me that those days are now over. 6.30 am is of course the time Stuart normally woke us up with his morning routine each day (see previous blog entry for details).

 

I re-surfaced again at a more leisurely hour and prepared for Church. My Anglican colleague Barry Norris led the Service whilst I took time to reflect on LEJOG. I had an opportunity to say a few words to everyone during the Service, and a whole lot more after the Service.

 

In a subsequent phone call to Paul he said that for him LEJOG was now over, but for me the next few months would see the bike ride revisited over and over. I am sure I will be asked to talk about the experience and to show the photos and video outtakes. I look forward to this aspect of the ride, because it has taught me a lot and was a journey well worth making.

 

Gavin