Back in the distant past, when I was young (I am 47) and naive (no change there) I got it in my head to cycle to England. Too poor to be able to fly, too young to drive it seemed like the perfect solution.

I thought out a route, cycled everywhere to build up my strength, started up a little saving pot, the whole shebang. But then my grandmother, who brought me up, found out. I can still hear her - You will do no such thing. Over my dead body. You must be mad. Use your imagination to the rest.

Idea eventually got pushed to the back of my mind, when other more important things took precedence.

I moved to England in 1995 (I took the bus), got a job, met a man, started a family, life happened. Yes, life happened.

My son, Joshua Patrick Cullen (see what we did there?) has brain cancer. Not that you would guess it if he stood in front of you. Throughout his diagnosis and treatment he has been, and continues to be, an absolute star. His courage, strength, determination, bloody mindedness to beat this evil, cruel disease that no one deserves to be faced with, ever, just completely floors anyone that has the privilege to know him. He is my strength.

So here we are. Older, wiser (stop laughing at the back) ready to face the challenge I had over 30 years ago for real. No excuses.

During the month of June 2023, I will take my beaten up, reliable old Raleigh over to a village very near the Czech Republic / Slovakia / Austria border (beautiful part of the World if you'd ever like to visit) called Ratiskovice. Hopefully spend a day or three seeing old friends, lay flowers down for my grandmother, then jump on my bike and cycle back to good old Blighty. Boston, Lincolnshire to be precise (it's where I live so I thought it would be best).

All in aid of Brain Tumour Research (fingers crossed I'll be able to raise a few pence. Maybe even pounds).

So, that's it in a nutshell. If you feel like showing your support, I will be very grateful. See you soon.

Love, Me x

TOGETHER WE WILL FIND A CURE.