HELLO!

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. I shall be hoping to (along with my friend Phil!) cycle from Lands End to John O Groats in June to raise money for The Toybox Charity, and hopefully make it back in time for graduation.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Toybox Charity will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

The Toybox Charity do great work with the street kids of Guatemala and give them the opportunties we so easily take for granted. Their website is also well worth a visit!

This page will be updated as our journey progresses (see below).            

Many thanks for your support!

George Jose

Day 1 - 5th June 2006

We caught a train from the Midlands to Cornwall (saw Bill Oddie - didn't get a chance to ask him to sponsor us though!). Arrived about 1pm.

We then started in earnest, cycling from Lands End to St Ives (about 20 miles). We have made camp in St Ives for the night. All is going well, although hayfever has hit  me, but I'm surviving!

Day 2 - 6th June 2006

Early start (7am). Cycled to Mawgan Porth. 40 miles today, we're clocking up the times. Also suntan lines have appeared...

 Day 3 -  7th June 2006

Ole! Arrived in Okehampton. Staying here for the night. We've done about 60.5 miles tday (not including miles done trying to find the campsite)! So tired! But it's all good.

 Day 4 - 8th June 2006

Cycled from Okehampton to Taunton today. Staying with Ajit and family tonight. Have been well fed and a bed never felt so nice!! We've done about 50 miles today.

Day 5 - 9th June 2006

Cycled from Taunton to Monmouth today via Chepstow. A long haul. Exhausted. About 90+miles today!

Day 6 -10th June 2006

We're taking an easy day today. Stopped in Dorstone after 25.5miles. Get to watch the football!

 Day 7 - 11th June 2006

Having recovered from sunburn and full to overflowing from the generous cooked breakfast this morning at the B&B, we set off  from Dorstone.

We had a good rest yesterday watching football. Did 50+ miles today. Phil's parents came to visit us today at our base for tonight - Ratling Hope, just outside Church Stretton, Shropshire.

Day 8 - 12th June 2006

After a night when condensation soaked everything in the tent including my phone (only working intermittantly) we finally set off on yet another hot day! We managed about 70 miles today. Arrived in Frodsham this evening. Thanks Debbie for your willingness to help us out at short notice!

I'm hopefully going to pick up a new phone tomorrow. Meanwhile, if anyone needs to contact me please ring, as I can't access texts and I've no access to phone numbers to call out.

 Day 9 - 13th June 2006

Frodsham to Preston about 40 miles. Staying with Amy's family tonight. Thanks guys.

Mum and Gerald's Mum caught up with us today at Preston. Thanks for making the effort, it was good to see you. Dad, thanks for calling. There will be photos from our journey available to view from Saturday on www.gjthedj.photosite.com/

I did manage to get a new phone, but can still take incoming calls on the old phone.

Day 10 - 14th June 2006

We're having a rest day. Staying in Preston today.

Day 11 - 15th June 2006

Cycled to Carnforth today. An easy 43.5 miles. Stopping to watch the football!

Day 12 - 16th June 2006

Long stretch to Carlisle. 75 miles today. Should be in Scotland tomorrow!

Day 13 - 17th June 2006

We passed Hadrian's Wall this morning. We're now in Scotland! Started to rain as we crossed the border!

Staying in Galashiels tonight. Did 65miles today.

Day 14 - 18th June 2006

Arrived in Edinburgh. Cycled 32.5 miles today. Saw the Firth of Forth!

Staying with Abraham, Cicily and Chris - thanks for looking after us.

Going faster than we thought we would, so have changed our return tickets to 28th June. We've only got 10 days to finish our journey!!

Day 15 - 19th June 2006

Made it to Forfar (16 miles north of Dundee). Staying with Phil's Aunt Jean - thank you.

Crossed the Firth of Forth over the Forth Road Bidge. We also had to cross the Firth of Tay. In total 67 miles today.

Day 16 - 20th June 2006

In Aberdeen now at the Youth Hostel. Should be a safe place to watch the England match! We cycled 55miles today. 

Day 17 - 21st June 2006

52 miles today to Keith (halfway between Aberdeen and Inverness). VERY windy - not easy cycling uphill in the wind! Started raining just as we finished putting up the tents. Apparently it's been the wettest day in Scotland this month. Glad we made it without getting wet. 

Day 18 - 22nd June 2006

Arrived in Inverness today. We have cycled about 55 miles. It's starting to tell on our knees! Staying at the Youth hostel tonight. There's an International Market here today, so we have fed well!

We saw a tiny bit of Loch Ness during our journey, unfortunately no monsters to report!  Ben Nevis is in the distance... what a view.

Day 19 - 23rd June 2006

We have arrived in Dornoch. Cycled 40 miles today. The guy let us camp for free - what a legend! However we have now entered midge territory!

Dornoch is famous as the place Madonna and Guy Ritchie got married. It is very picturesque.

Day 20 - 24th June 2006

We have reached Dunbeath. A very hilly 43 miles today ! Hopefully only 1 day to go.

Day 21 - 25th June 2006

Arrived at last. We reached John O' Groats at 3pm. 37 miles travelled today.

We were nearly stranded, when, with 8 miles to go, Phil's chain fell off! Thankfully a lady stopped and then sent her son to help. He welded the chain and then disappeared.  Unfortunately the chain did not work, so we started walking. 1 mile down the road, we saw the welder's van. He very kindly broke the chain and re-welded it for us!

Staying in a B&B tonight. We are really thrilled to have completed the Lands End to John O' Groats journey - 1015 miles! We are exhausted now, but glad to have done it.

Thanks to everyone who helped, sponsored and fixed us up while touring!!