#Guernsey

My son James had some holiday to use. Neither of us had been to Guernsey before. There were cheap flights available from Southampton so we went for it for a short break. The flight takes less than 45 (35) minutes depending on the wind strength/direction.

James or I didn't know much about Guernsey. Like many people he wasn't exactly sure where the Channel Islands were and immediately thought as we were flying close to France we were going to a foreign country - passports to the ready! The Isle of Wight is regularly mixed up with the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. 

Anyway here is a bit about Guernsey :

• Guernsey is NOT part of the UK (although some aspects like defence and international relations are managed by the UK). It is a British Crown Dependency.
• We refer to the Channel Islands as if they are a constitutional or political unit. They are not. Jersey has its own and separate relationship with the UK.
• The Guernsey Crown Dependency includes the other inhabited channel islands of Alderney, Sark and Herm.
• They are referred to as Bailiwicks.
• The Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey are not members of the Commonwealth and surprisingly have never been members of the EU. 

GEOGRAPHY/TOPOGRAPHY

As we live on the Isle of Wight it is natural we draw comparisons with Guernsey.

I have compiled a chart :

SIZE - IOW 150 sq miles - Guernsey 30 sq miles ( Jersey 44 sq miles)

Therefore the IOW is 5 times larger than Guernsey (a surprise to me).

POPULATIONS APPROX - IOW  150K  Guernsey 75K (Jersey 110k)

Therefore while Guernsey has roughly half the population of the IOW they are living on a much smaller Island.

MY IMPRESSIONS

• I hired a car at the airport and as part of the process were advised of some of the quirks of driving on Guernsey. The main one is there is an island wide maximum speed limit of 35 mph and in many places it is less than that. We were told the roads were busy and they operate a box junction system where cars leave alternately.
• The speed limit is not an issue - there is nowhere where you can drive at more than 35 miles an hour. Roads are windey, undulating and narrow. While most roads will take 2 cars wing mirrors are in constant danger! There is no scope to overtake. The roads are very busy - almost always a train of small cars moving around in orderly fashion like they are on rails. Unlike in Jersey there are very few ostentatious powerful cars - there really is no point - and virtually no lorries. Driving is easy and non threatening. There is no scope for the boy racer.
• Surprisingly and I have to say disappointingly Guernsey is built up. Virtually every road has ribbon housing development on both sides with no gaps.
• The houses are nice - well maintained - and often behind high walls. However my over riding feeling of Guernsey is it is claustrophobic. On most roads there is a pedestrian path on one side - but because of the road width and constant traffic it is not a place to walk or choose to ride a bike in my opinion.
• What sets Guernsey apart is it does have a beautiful coastline and much of it remains unspoilt and uncommercialized. There are undoubtedly fine coastal walks with lovely beaches.
• Of the coast - Guernsey experiences some of the biggest tides in the world - up to 33 ft - 10 m. Much of the coast is rocky and tide rips between the small islands can be up to 12 knots. It is therefore a formidable challenge for sailors but as we have heard in news recently - with disputes over fishing rights - the waters are rich particularly for crab and lobster.
• Guernsey is famous for its Guernsey cows - and for horticulture - flowers and tomatoes. However I have to say there was not much evidence of agriculture although of course it exists. The main earners for Guernsey now is financial services and tourism. The large population - much of it retired - inevitably generates jobs for the locals and taxation revenues (which I guess is the whole point of the housing development).
• Like Jersey - Guernsey has attractive tax arrangements in place. However Jersey feels much more wealthy - much bigger grander houses - more ostentatious. Guernsey appears modest - tidy - safe - gentle.
• While I cannot claim to have interacted that much with the locals - the feeling I have that while they are civil enough they largely keep themselves to themselves. Several locals referred to how Guernsey has changed - how it has become overdeveloped - over populated. One house knocked down and 10 built in its place! Obviously and understandably they resent it.
• Guernsey like Jersey - does operate a 2 tier property market. Some properties are designated as only for qualifying locals. They are cheaper than the ones that can be bought by outsiders.
• Like most islands - most goods have to be imported from the mainland - there are additional costs involved and Guernsey is not cheap.

My overall thought is while Guernsey is safe and pleasant, has a beautiful coastline and a favourable climate, it has been over developed and feels claustrophobic. It is a shame. Just about everywhere is under pressure from property developers and population growth. I regularly raise objections to planning applications on the IOW - but Guernsey has gone too far - lets hope it can be avoided here. (it must have some impact on the tourism trade.)

Having said that James and I had a real fun time - a good little winter break. I am glad we went. 

Here are a few mob photos - mainly of the coast - which I enjoyed most.

Alderney left Jersey right

Jersey - massive tides going through there.

It was very windy - especially on the flight home

St Peter Port

The Albion - since 1780 - according to the Guinness Book of records is the closest pub to a church in the British Isles

James having a lunchtime snack

Our favourite pub St Peter Port

A night out at the Doghouse. The Beatles having been hiding away in Guernsey!

For the record xxx

#NazaninZaghari-Ratcliffe & Insulate Britain protests

Like many of you I have recently read about these 2 protests - Richard Ratcliffe's hunger strike and Insulate Britain disruptive blocking behaviour. Both have been highly critical of the British Government and their protests essentially directed at Boris Johnson and his cabinet and calling for their further action. 

This is how I see it :

I suspect Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe is innocent but I do not definitely know she is. Clearly her husband and their supporters believe she is. It is not difficult to believe she is being used by the regime in Tehran to gain political leverage over GB and as such is being very badly treated. I understand she is not the only one.

Insulate Britain is an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion. They are focused on "saving the planet" by direct action. They have caused major and costly disruption particularly around London and have ludicrously claimed stopping ambulances getting to hospital is justified.

In my mind both protests suffer from the same fundamental problem. They are protesting against the wrong people.

Clearly in the Ratcliffe case it is not the British Government who are at fault - it is the Iranians. It is the Iranians that have imprisoned her to gain leverage and publicity. Criticism and protest should be directed against them.

With Insulate Britain and Extinction Rebellion - Britain is and remains one of the most effective and committed nations to working to address climate change. There are many many countries lagging behind - not least China. Why are they not protesting outside the embassies of the nations who are the major polluters and who are dragging their feet in addressing global warming.

The answer :

Because GB is a easy target for them.

GB is tolerant.

We respect freedom of speech and the right to protest.

We are indulgent of protestors. We give them a voice.

Protestors are safe - unlike in most counties our police to not resort to violent behaviour - even in the face of extreme provocation.

The outcome - when people like Richard Ratcliffe or environmental protestors feel they need to do something they typically (and understandably) take the safe option. Have a go at our Government and or the British people. We will take it. We will not react. Our perverse government hating mainstream media will indulge them of course.

With regard Mr Ratcliffe he is well meaning. He is hurt. He is desperate. Every sympathy for him. But the British government are not at fault. They cannot concede to Iran's tactic. They cannot pay a £400m ransom. Where would it end? Mr Ratcliffe is inadvertently playing into Iran's game. He is sadly helping Iran with their cynical and cruel strategies. They will take a win from him trying to embarrass the British government. I understand it is hard for him to risk upsetting Iran for fear of an even more draconian sentence for his wife. But the fact is Iran are the aggressors here not the British government / specifically the Foreign Office. Iran want to make this a big issue and it obviously suits them to see the British government being criticised by their own. Mr Ratcliffe is potentially providing Iran with more leverage to exploit his wife's detention.

I have much less sympathy for the environmental protesters. Unlike Mr Ratcliffe whose protests were peaceful the direct action taken by Insulate Britain / Extinction Rebellion caused a great deal of stress, inconvenience and cost and in some instances they actually caused danger to the general public. They are in reality largely trying to preach to the converted here. They have no exceptional insight. In my view it is more about making themselves feel good - feel significant rather than actually achieving anything useful. In fact what they have achieved is alienation - they have damaged the cause of the environmental lobbyists by their unreasonable behaviour.

As I have said the UK has a green agenda at government level and the people are mainly backing the measures being implemented including insulating homes. If these protesters are committed to saving the planet they should focus on the most significant polluters and it is not the UK. Protest against China for instance - but be prepared for pushback. Protesters know this which why they continue to focus on the likes of a warm and cuddly UK - we will indulge them.

Just a bit of background :    

Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe is an Iranian-British dual citizen who has been detained in Iran since 3 April 2016. In early September 2016, she was sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of "plotting to topple the Iranian government". She was temporarily released on 17 March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran, while being monitored.

The prosecutor general of Tehran stated in October 2017 that Zaghari-Ratcliffe was being held for running "a BBC Persian online journalism course which was aimed at recruiting and training people to spread propaganda against Iran".On  7 March 2021, her original sentence ended, but she was scheduled to face a second set of charges on 14 March. On 26 April, she was found guilty of propaganda activities against the government and sentenced to one year in prison.On 16 October, her appeal was rejected by the Iranian court.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe has always denied the spying charges against her, and her husband maintains that his wife "was imprisoned as leverage for a debt owed by the UK over its failure to deliver tanks to Iran in 1979."

Richard Ratcliffe to end hunger strike for wife Nazanin after 21 days

Husband of detained Iranian-British national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe ends latest attempt to force UK government to act

Richard Ratcliffe, the husband of the detained Iranian-British dual national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, is to end his hunger strike after 21 days.

Ratcliffe said he had told his wife he would end the protest on Saturday and that he would later be visiting hospital for a full check-up.

He told his supporters on the Free Nazanin Twitter account: “Today I have promised Nazanin to end the hunger strike. Gabriella needs two parents. Thank you all for your overwhelming care these past three weeks.

Boris Johnson’s betrayal of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe shows us who he really is

Jonathan Freedland

Read more

“The last act of the hunger strike will be our patchwork event in front of the Foreign Office at 13.30, then I will be going to the hospital for a full check-up. Thank you for keeping our family in the light.”

Ratcliffe told the PA news agency his job was to “keep going”, adding: “We probably hoped we’d get a breakthrough doing this. We haven’t yet. I didn’t want to go out in an ambulance. I want to walk out with my head held high.” He also criticised Boris Johnson for his “telling” absence in talking to him during the protest.

His strike ended as a patchwork was due to be unveiled, made from all the patches that supporters have been sending throughout his time camped outside the Foreign Office.

Ratcliffe began the demonstration outside the Foreign Office, in central London, last month and endured almost three weeks in his latest attempt to force action from the UK government to bring his wife home.

He was joined at a vigil on Friday by his seven-year-old daughter, Gabriella, and supporters, who gathered in a show of solidarity. But allies had started to raise concerns for his health and expressed fears that he could permanently damage himself.

Earlier on Saturday, the Labour MP Tulip Siddiq called for Johnson to visit her constituent “in solidarity”. She tweeted: “It has been three weeks since Richard Ratcliffe last ate any food. In that time, not a single government minister has visited his camp outside the Foreign Office in solidarity.

“Will the prime minister take five minutes out of his day to visit my constituent today?”

Speaking on Thursday, Ratcliffe said: “I think there’s a basic medical limit on how long you do a hunger strike for. I made a promise to Nazanin, I made a promise to my family, Mum in particular, and to the family doctors, that I won’t take it too far.

“But yeah, I don’t think we walk away head held high feeling like it’s all been sorted.”

The Middle East minister, James Cleverly, met Ratcliffe this week to discuss the current situation regarding his wife’s detention in Iran, where she has been held since 2016 – more than 2,000 days.

After the meeting, Ratcliffe said he had been left feeling “deflated”, adding: “If I’m honest, it felt like, you know, perfectly nice, sincere, caring, everyone in the room was caring. But you know we’re still stuck in the same status quo.

“We’re still stuck in the same problems that led us to end up on hunger strike.”

Throughout his near-three-week protest, he has been calling for the British government to pay a £400m debt to Tehran, dating back to the 1970s. The British debt is acknowledged as a precondition for the release of Zaghari-Ratcliffe, as well as other detainees.

Insulate Britain

A series of protests by the group Insulate Britain involving traffic obstruction began on 13 September 2021.The group has blockaded the M25 and other motorways in the United Kingdom, as well as roads in London and the Port of Dover.

The protesters demand that the government insulate all social housing in the UK by 2025 and retrofit all homes with insulation by 2030. They have drawn condemnation from figures within the government.

Insulate Britain is an environmental activist group, formed by people involved in the global environmental movement Extinction Rebellion.The group began hosting both online and in-person events in July 2021, also raising money for direct action. They use civil disobedience as a tactic.

Opinion polling conducted by YouGov from 5–6 October 2021 found that 72% of those surveyed opposed the protesters' actions, with 18% supporting the actions, and 10% that did not know.

#Madeira

I am recently back from a short break. It is the first time I have been to the island of Madeira.

You might already know it. I didn't. I knew it had a reputation for flowers and was situated somewhere in the sun this side of the Atlantic but not much more. The reason it cropped up was covid - somewhere to at last get away to that was on the green list. Madeira is an autonomous Portuguese island and while mainland Portugal including the Canaries was on the amber list - Madeira was green. 

So where actually is it? Well - 250 miles north of the Canaries - and 320 miles west of Morocco. It is part of an archipelago and the biggest island. Madeira is about 35 miles long and 14 miles wide (so maybe a 1/3rd bigger than the Isle of Wight - and has a surprisingly big population - now 250000. It has a mountain ridge that extends along the centre of the Island which rises to 6109 ft at its highest point - over 1500 ft higher than Ben Nevis - the UK's highest mountain.

The geology is fascinating.

Madeira is at the top of a massive volcano that rises about 20000 feet from the Atlantic seabed. It is part of the massive undersea Tore Mountain Range. Most of the activity ended 700000 years ago and erosion has now shaped the landscape.  

While in the time available I did not see much of the landscape it is easy to get an idea of it. As you approach on the plane the view is predominantly black (volcanic) craggy mountains. The airport is on a narrow coastal strip. Immediately you see the terrain is extremely hilly - with most of the properties built on slopes - often severe ones. It is quite a sight. The road to Funchal from the airport runs through a number of  substantial tunnels - alpine style. The taxi driver said before they were built the journey would have taken 2 hours. It now takes 20 minutes.

Anyway in no particular order here are a few odds and ends that come to mind about Madeira :

• Madeira is not a brash place - it is not a party destination. Indeed it is popular with people retiring and looking for a quiet lifestyle.
• It is well maintained - clean and gentle. The south particularly has a mild maritime climate and plants thrive. the gardens and parks are a feature. We visited the Jardine Botanico - high above Funchal (by cable car). The gardens have international renown.
• Although the topography is much different Funchal reminded me of Singapore ie quiet, ordered - tidy - even manicured. 
• While the tourism trade is very well established there is only one natural beach - Praia Formosa - basalt rock and black volcanic sand. Apparently there are two others but they were created by sand imported from the Sahara.
• As Madeira is at the top of a 20000 ft mountain the islands sides are typically sheer - hence few beaches. The water gets deep very quickly and it has some of the highest sea cliffs in the world at 580m. Probably the reason it is a popular stop for the cruise ships.
• There is a distinct difference between the southern coast and the northern coast in terms of climate. If you want late season sun - head south. Temperatures obviously change as you move from sea level rapidly up to 6000ft. Allows for many different types of plants to grow in a short space.
• Although there is plenty of sea fish etc now available Madeiran waters are not good for fishing because of the great depth of water. Consequently much is imported from the Portuguese mainland. Similarly foodstuffs. As a result Madeira is not a giveaway price wise.
• Their main fish and their traditional dish is Scabbard fish - often served with bananas (that grow well). Scabbard fish are ugly brutes - jet black - big teeth - a type of eel. Not everyone's cup of tea based on looks but they eat well. 

Madeira's signature dish - Scabbard fish with banana

• Madeiran people seem typically short in stature. I suspect this is diet related. It is the case in China and India - the younger people are taller - because of improved diets. I think a lot of Madeiran's leave to work abroad. I sat next to a lady on the plane that has worked in London for 45 years - but maintains and island home and tries to return twice a year. 
• Property prices are increasing - many flats being built. Madeira did well dealing with covid - easy to control entry etc - and consequently it seems older people especially have seen the sense and merit of an island life - especially with the climate and the prettyness. Madeira feels really safe.
• But beware. Madeira as I have said is very steep almost everywhere except the limited coastal strip. A hard place to live if you rely on walking. Roads while well surfaced are narrow and windey. Precipitous edges. Bus services are good it seems.
• Madeira wine goes very well with Madeira cake. I was especially taken with Madeira wine - compares really well against sherry and port. It might become a xmas tipple. Poncha - the local  spirit made of sugar cane and fortified by honey is strong and sweet. Not for me. Ghastly stuff - like medicine.
• There is much left to explore on Madeira. It is famous for its Levada walks and hikes. Levadas are narrow canals or water courses that bring water down off the mountains. Many have paths set beside them and make up a network of walks that range from easy to challenging. 

As an option for late season sun Madeira offers a lot. We were especially lucky with the weather - late October and unbroken 26/27 degrees. Showers can be a feature however so probably not as safe a bet as the Canaries 250 miles south but I am going to go again. It is lovely place and only 3.30 hrs away.

Here are a few photos from my new mob camera 

Great for sunsets. 540m cliffs.

Funchal lovely parks

Funchal

Cable car up to the Botanic gardens above Funchal

Scabbard fish from the deep

#Metaverse

 A few years ago I read a prediction by someone who seemed to know what he is talking about - "that there will be more changes in the next 50 years than in the last 50 years."

As someone who has grown up in those last 50 years that seemed an extraordinary statement - given the enormous changes that have happened in my life time. Computers - mobile phones - DNA - micro technology - the internet - globalisation etc etc. Could there really be more things coming along that would have an even bigger impact on our lives?

Hands up here - I am not a geek - I am not into science fiction - but I am pretty sure the answer is yes. 

We are already seeing the emergence of space travel - we know a bit about AI - the use of artificial intelligence - intelligent machines. Robotics as daily experience. Use of drones. Cashless society. Nano technology. Genetic engineering. We are moving away from fossil fuels. 

But yesterday another massive glimpse - an insight prompted by the decision of  Mark Zuckerburg of Facebook to announce the Facebook group was changing its name to Meta - "to better represent or describe what they will be doing in the future."

That meant absolutely nothing to me - Meta? 

So I did some basic research - it is all about the "metaverse".

The metaverse is defined as :

a virtual-reality space in which users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users

As I understand it is predicted as commonplace (and not that far away) that we will have access to devices - machines - or whatever - that will produce 3D images (in a virtual world) which we will be able to interact with and will form part of our actual world. I think what is being suggested is there will be a blurring of the edges between virtual and real. I haven't watched the movie - Matrix - but apparently it is an indication of where all this might be heading.

I think this means you might be able to go on holiday without actually leaving your own home - because virtual realities will allow the Taj Mahal to come to you. I think you will be able to dance with a life size Kylie or cook with Nigella in your own home or anywhere else!

Actually I have no idea what I am talking about except it is obvious we are all going to be hearing a lot more about the METAVERSE. Not sure I like it much either - ha!  

#CoasttoCoast C2C Sea to Sea - a Three Tenners ride

We three brothers enjoyed the cycling the Hebridean Way in July. Enthused we thought we could squeeze another one in before the weather turned. Same format - cycling - camping - low budget - ha! 

The route we chose was a well defined and popular one - the Sutrans C2C route, C2C - Sea to Sea! The idea is to cycle across England from the Irish Sea to the North Sea - albeit at one of its narrowest parts. The recommendation is west to east because of helpful prevailing winds. The start is either Whitehaven or Workington - the finish either Tynemouth or Sunderland. We chose Whitehaven to Tynemouth - 140 miles. We decided on 4 days cycling - some do it much quicker of course. The guide book recommends 5 days to allow for sightseeing. There are many ways to approach the route - the surface is good - but we have touring bikes - pretty heavily laden (although we have improved) because we are self sufficient. We each carry a tent - a cooking system - food - and of course a range of clothes to deal with whatever the unpredictable weather can throw.

A quick note on logistics - Mike drove with Rob from Exmouth. I drove direct from the IOW. A bit under 400 miles from the Island - so a fair hike for us southerners. Whitehaven if you do not know it is in Cumbria. Our plan was to leave the vehicles at the start and had arranged through Haven Cycles at Whitehaven transport to pick us up at the finish in Tynemouth and bring us back. The drive back takes 2 1/2 to 3 hours and cost us £60 each. It was the only practical solution and worth it.

We arranged to meet at St Bees 4 miles from Whitehaven. As far as I could find this was the nearest practical campsite. We arrived late afternoon - got the tents up etc - and then thought we would have a scout around - find the start at Whitehaven etc for an efficient start the next day. What immediately became apparent was the route to Whitehaven from St Bees was a very hilly 4 miles! We aren't the biggest fans of unnecessary hills so we decided rather than leave the vehicles at St Bees we would drive to Whitehaven for the start. That meant finding secure carparking. Again Haven Cycles provided the solution - it was an extra cost - but a good decision. 

Next morning - a little behind schedule (Rob always has something to repack - lol) we get to the official C2C start at Whitehaven harbour filled with nice Irish Sea water. The start was almost a disaster. The tradition - the done thing on this route - is to place your back wheel in the Irish Sea at the start. But the slipway - tidal affected of course - was incredibly slippery. Rob dropped his bike - and I nearly went over. Anyway we got the all important photo and we were off!

First day was a bit overcast but dry and still. Our plan was to cycle about 40 miles into the Lake District to get to Keswick and beyond. We eventually camped at Troutbeck near Scales. It was a top day. How can you not be uplifted by being in the Lake District. We climbed a fair bit - and got our head in the clouds (and wind) when we got over the formidable Winlatter Pass. After Keswick the cycling was lovely and by clever planning we came across the White Horse Inn about 2 miles before our campsite for the night!

Next day was to be another 40 miler - on to Penrith - gradually out of the Lake District and down to and across the Eden Valley. Our objective was Nenthead - North Pennines. Just great scenery. Quiet. Special. Hard to describe. One thing I love about these type of rides. You get in a bubble. You - the setting - the personal effort on the hills - the release going down. Your own thoughts. Your own plans. Your own dreams. Make of it what you will. Hard to beat. When the Three Tenners cycle we rarely form a peloton - ha! We do our own thing - cycle at different speeds - and meet up usually when the route is not clear. There was one especially long tough climb to the Hartside summit and eventually the long downhill to Alston. This a quote from the guide book " leaving the gentle Eden Valley you soon climb to the spectacular viewpoint of Hartside before beginning the traverse of the North Pennines - England's last wilderness. Much of it is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - the sombre wide open spaces present if anything a more powerful landscape than the Lakes themselves." It was sombre - it was grey - it was at times magnificent - like another world - and so quiet - so little development - just sheep.

We got down off Hartside and eventually met up at the lovely little town of Alston (that claims to be the highest market town in England). I went into a pub and ordered a hot chocolate while I waited. It had been draughty up there! On Alston the main street looks and feels like that cobbled street on the Hovis advert - but it is not the same place.

Eventually we head on towards Nenthead. We have booked a bunkhouse for the night - because we were up high and there were no designated camping areas. It turned out to be a good decision. It was not a nice evening outside. We were dry and showered and comfortable. We had the whole Haggs Head Bunkhouse to ourselves for £25 each. Just as well. My brothers snoring can be off the scale and this night it was a shocker. Eventually I had to move to another room and I am normally a heavy sleeper!

Next day was dank and still. We had just a few miles to Nenthead and just 32 in all to get to Consett. As we get to Nenthead I see a bike repairers. I put my head in the door to check out the route as there were options. The owner was smiling. He said the first part is a killer! Basically in a relatively short distance we had to get up to the highest point on the whole trek - Black Hill 1998 ft. It was steep. We get up and on to a beautiful wild open moor. On the moor there were ups and downs with another bigee up to Parkhead Station via Stanhope. It was a brute of a climb but I really enjoyed it. A great place to be but I am sure the warning signs were right. Beware it can be dangerous up here in bad conditions. 

As in life you usually get out what you put in. Thereafter it was a wonderful 10k descent on the Waskerley Way - a bridle way / cycling track on an old rail line. It was great - freewheeling a lot of the time. Beautiful quiet countryside. Hardly no one around. We have time in hand, the riding is easy and the final leg tomorrow would be even easier. 

We have booked a campsite a few miles out of Consett - a nice little site (we are the only ones on it) called Starlight Camping. A field (with great views) and a portacabin - well fitted out as a shower block etc. The owner Billy comes down for a chat. We sound him out for the nearest pub and shop. As suspected it was several miles away and up and down hills. We agree we have no choice but to cycle later. While in the shower I reflect on that. I ring Billy from my tent. I do a deal with him to pick us up at 4pm and drive us to the local pub. He agreed to pick us up at 6.30 and take us to the local fish and chip shop on the way back. He was very happy with £10 per person. So were we. The drive to the pub didn't take long but it would have been a brute of a ride especially topped up with beer. The Fleece Inn was quiet but it was a good place to be and the fish and chips turned out to be amazing! We are back at the campsite - picnic table - and fish and chips - and witnessed an amazing sky. (see photos below). A good nights sleep.

As the Tour de France - and the gentle ride into Paris - ours is to Newcastle and then to Tynemouth! I thought Consett would be industrial - a former steel town. But no the countryside is lovely - the people we met friendly and chatty. I think it was Rob who made the comment "Boris goes on about levelling up - its the south that needs levelling up with the north! " We were well impressed with the area.

Our route is down the Derwent Walk - along the River Derwent - idyllic woodland and pasture until we get to where the Derwent joins the mighty River Tyne. We have a choice south or north bank. We start off on the south but cross on the Tyne Bridge and head down through Newcastle on the Hadrian's cycleway the 10 miles all the way to Tynemouth. It was an easy enjoyable ride - with many landmarks.

We get to Tynemouth at about 2.30pm. What a suprise. A real buzzing tasteful holiday town - all up together and nice - traditional. We know the northerners call us soft southerners. The late September sun is out but a real cold wind coming off the North Sea. Those Geordie lasses don't care. Not a sign of a coat or a jacket!

It was a bit of an effort to dip our front wheels in the North Sea (as custom requires to complete the sea to sea) but we managed it at the local sailing club. A good moment - we have done well.

Haven Cycles pick us up for the 2 1/2 road trip back to Whitehaven via Carlisle.

It was a great thing for us to do. I will admit I get a great deal of satisfaction out of the planning and carrying out the plan. I love to reflect on what we have done. Completing the journey is probably the most important thing. Doing it with my brothers - each with strong personalities but so different is a brilliant dynamic. (we sometimes wonder what our late parents would think - and know that they would be proud and happy to see us do these things together).Cheers bruvs - to the next time. 

Here are a few photos from my mob camera : 

The start in the Irish Sea at Whitehaven Cumbria

First glimpse of the Lake District

Camping the first night nr Scales (Troutbeck)

My trusted Dawes Super Galaxy. Old but a great bike. Looks overloaded but the weight is not too bad. I prefer to make the effort to carry more gear to be comfortable. A larger tent for instance.

An old mine - now a visitors centre.

Our little campsite nr Consett

The Three Tenners at The Fleece Inn. I can't keep up with my bruvs on the beer lol!

Sun going down while eating our fish & chips

River Derwent

River Tyne

We cross the Tyne into Newcastle

Tynemouth and the N Sea finish ahead.

Long Beach Tynemouth the official finish of the C2C

We put our front wheels in the North Sea for the full finish!