Barbs's Big Bike RIde

This year I have decided to stay and enjoy an English Spring. It has been a long time coming but at last it is here and I am off to explore my own back yard. Well actually travelling up the UK mainland as far north as possible before 21st June and see how close I can get to the Midnight Sun.


After my travels along the Camino de Santiago across northern Spain last September on my trusty old iron donkey, I have bought a lighter bike in the hope that I can get up a few more hills and by going from Lands End to John o Groats (LEJOG) I can avoid the killing headwinds of the Spanish meseta.


So here she is, we had a jolly naming ceremony on Saturday and hopefully the good friends, food and weather I enjoyed will carry me through to the farthest northern climes. Thank you all for a great send off, admirably topped off with one too many pints The Village Bike listening to Mojo Triangle.


And she is called Eleanor, isn't she beautiful, I hope I still have such tender feelings after 6 hours in the saddle, but probably only in the nether regions I fear.


The map link on the right will show a rough itinerary and route and I will try try to update with my actual route, if I can work out how and where I am as I go along, you know there will be little correlation but I will get there or somewhere in the end!


If you want an email update, submit your address in the box also on right and hopefully it will find its way through the ether to you.

Wednesday, 16 February 2011

My Valentine

We went to see the gorillas; it was amazing, an over used phrase I know, but it absolutely was.  They are sooo big and we couldn't see a whole one, they were just chillin in the forest, grooming them selves and each other, we could see a huge silverback and another large female and a smaller one came around the back of us.  We were about 5 meters away.  We could hear them sneeze, fart and make a very low rumbling noise, as we left one of them made the beating chest noise, just to let us know who was in charge.  The trek there and back was about 4 hours and very steep, we were lucky the the rain forest did not live up to its reputation and so it was not too slippery, however it did live up to its name; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.  It was so exiting and terrifying when we came to an area/trail of flattened forest and the guide said that this was new gorilla paths.  It may have been my most expensive Valentine, but so worth it
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7 comments:

  1. Unknown16 February 2011 at 10:54

    I'm so pleased you made it.I'm sure it was a great experience.
    Did you not bring one back for a boyfriend!!!! Love Mumxx

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  2. Unknown17 February 2011 at 09:17

    Wow!!! Something I have on my 'to do' list, so very envious!! Ben and Leah have just seen your blog and are so looking forward to hearing all about the gorillas when you return - they saw some in London Zoo - not quite so close! - and they said how huge they were! Definitely the best valentine anyone could have!!
    Meg on count down to her trip. Still feeling a bit unsure, but I am sure she will be fine once she arrives. We have a very full week visiting family and friends before she leaves on the 2nd. All out to Cambridge Saturday night for a 'family and friends' night - lookout Cambridge!!
    Take care and look forward to your next entry!!
    Love Liz and co xxxxx

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  3. Joan18 February 2011 at 05:01

    What a handsome brute. We are so pleased that you were able to meet the man of your dreams in the rainforest. It just makes us think that sitting at our desks here in Meldreth is not going to give us the opportunity is it?

    Anyway we hope to meet some elephants in April in India.

    Personally I am feeling sorry for myself as I have the return of the bug and no voice. Tim has been brill in looking after me. However I know he has enjoyed the 7 days of peace and quiet when I had no voice!

    Take care and look forward to hearing from you again. Love Joan and Tim x

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  4. Unknown19 February 2011 at 03:29

    Hi Barbara, like the boy friend.
    sounds like you are having fun. I have just got back from my Africa trip so when I was in kenya was thinking of you not so far away. I had a great experience with the people there, so i can understand how much you are enjoying it.I met a few Brits in Kenya and Zambia - they all said they would never move back to the UK...what about you? We have booked up a holiday to South Africa in early April.
    your blog is great, keep it up. Off to Mum's tomorrow.
    love Graeme

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  5. Hugh Leighton19 February 2011 at 08:19

    Looks a bit like dinner at the Bullens. Glad you are OK and enjoying yourself.

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  6. JulianG20 February 2011 at 11:42

    Hi Ho

    So the adventure gets bigger, have been trying to follow your moves via on line maps, do you have any lat and long so we can get a fix as to where you go. I have found Google maps really good. Sounds like you need solid tyres on the bike and a large cushion for support. Pics look really good and it sound like you are doing a great job not so sure about the new boyfriend, have you gone native!

    Take care
    Julian and Sharon

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  7. Unknown21 February 2011 at 15:02

    Way to go Barbara, dont bring him back to meet us but at least this one doesnt have a comb over :)

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