October (less a few days).

Immediately after the Beast event three of us were heading south taking ambulances down to Kendal ready for a final day of training prior to 'The Pipe Job'.  Training had already taken place from the 27th to the 30th of August covering safe working procedures for confined access, casualty management and evacuation from a confined work space, fire safety, water hygiene, VAS driving (Vehicle Access System) and a refresher on emergency life support and defibrillation. 

Monday 30th September.  From the Travel Lodge on the M6 just south of Kendal it was a short run up to Land and Marine's training base where we met up with the remainder of the Rescue Medic team to be introduced to Radon Awareness, everyone on the team was then subjected to a full medical examination, this followed by training and an examination in administering breathalyzer tests using the Alcometer 500 (the same instrument the police use for roadside breath tests) and carrying out drug tests on urine samples, a very sophisticated set up which registered even when only miniscule amounts of suspect substances were present in the urine.  A talk on tunnel hygiene completed our training and all that remained was to get our issue of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and disperse to our allotted work zones, find the accommodation booked for us and prepare for work!

Based in Waddington about 30 miles north of Manchester this was the view from Apple Tree Cottage front door.  Five star accommodation, see www.orchardcottages.co.uk (and the village pub is just out of shot right!!











The job was to provide medical cover for the six teams of guys who would be working underground in a 2.6m diameter water pipe which had been drained for a two week period in preparation for a detailed survey and critical repair work.

Sunset over Bowland Forest on the way to night shift.

 





The interior of the pipe was photographed (these photos taken by ROV during the planning phase of the contract), ventilation fans were installed to create a positive through draught to minimise any danger from possible gas ingress, a communication cable was clipped to the wall and marker plates with GPS coordinates were fixed to correspond with the pipe plans.  To facilitate the work being undertaken electric trucks were to be used and to get them into the pipe meant cutting a large access port and lowering the vehicles into the pipe.

Night shift and the VAS are due to go in; the site foreman talks to the guys down the hole.

 

 

 VAS and Equipment Bogie.  All this gear was lowered through the cut into the pipe with just the toilet cassette and VAS batteries being lifted out at the end of each shift and the second set lowered in in preparation for the next shift.

 

15th and job done, all tools, coms cable and VAS out; last job was to put the lid back on!

 

Pieces of the pipe top ready to be lifted back into place!  Once sealed the tap can be turned on!!

 

Back home and two weeks of catching up on odd jobs, squaring stuff away ready for winter, a drain repair on a neighbour's van, help out at a CLAN coffee morning and give a talk about my 'wee bike ride' to the Parkinson's Support Group.

 

October just about done, the last few days can get a mention in November's episode!

September (Autumn already!)

A bit more work to boost the coffers to fund another wee bike ride!!  Time to start planning!!

Since getting back in July most weekends have been spent tidying up damaged mountain bikers, most of them fraying at the edges (knees and elbows mainly) caused by high speed contact with planet Earth.  Occasionally they do a 'proper job' and break some of their internal scaffolding or even rupture some of their squidgy bits that do important filtering jobs, or other squidgy bits that do procreation!!

Tuesday 3rd and a pleasant ride to The Oaks in Elgin for a 1030 appointment with Heidi, Moray's Parkinson's Nurse Specialist; a charming young lady relatively new to the post but already making an impact with the 'movers and shakers' of the area.
Back on the bike and off to blag a coffee at Jim and Gillian's!  Coffee, a spot of lunch in the sun, help to haul out the trailer tent for an airing then off to play!  Jim does a rapid change into bikey gear and we're off up the road, a bit of 'exploratory riding and some pushing), creative navigation got us onto the Sustrans cycle trail to Hopeman and then the old railway track, now part hard packed gravel part asphalt, into Burghead.

There is a track honest, it's just a bit overgrown since I last rode it!!  (Jim's GPS thinks I'm telling porky's).





























Weekend 7th-8th, Scottish Downhill event, lots of customers, gravel rash, broken bits and three ambulances to hospital. 

Tuesday 10th, PSA test and my quarterly implant to keep the gribblies at bay; back home to check through my 'Wee Bike Ride' powerpoint presentation ready for an evening showing to the Cancer Support Group.
Later:  well, no one fell asleep, heckled or threw anything so I'm guessing the show was acceptable!!

Spinning, dentist and assorted odd jobs filled the rest of the week, bringing me to an 0500 kick off on Saturday 14th driving to Nairn for the start of the Rat Race Coast to Coast event.  Elite start time 0630, run to Cawdor, on to bikes and ride to Fort William, dump bikes, walk/run to shore of Loch Leven, paddle to Isles of Glencoe Hotel and finish.  Ordinary mortals overnighted at Fort Augustus and went on to complete the route on the Sunday.
                     



Start time looms!

 

Riders nearing Fort Augustus.

Day two:  PM Arriving at the transition point, Glen Nevis, Fort William (wet).

 

The following two weeks were taken up with an appointment with my Parkinson's consultant (You're doing fine, keep up the activity, cycling etc.  If you have a worry about posture best see a physio first and see what they suggest rather than mess around with your medication).  Wednesday morning, spinning session.   PSA result in, still looking at < 0.1.  Prep for 'The Beast' at Knockburn Loch.

 

The Beast, a 10k XC obstacle course!  Providing safety cover on the 'run' section with Becky.

Three happy competitors!

 

Which way now??  At the end of the day even the few bods with minor injuries said they had had a great time!!

 

October looms and a two week contract in Englandshire!

 

 

 

 



August (and that disappeared rapidly!!)

Thursday 1st, time for the poor old cat's last trip to the vet, the tumour has grown and he could only lick at his food and even though we had liquidised stuff for him he was getting very little down, then this morning he just looked at his food, turned and went back to his window seat.

Job done and burial plot where he used to sit and contemplate his next lizard hunting foray!!

A few days of admin, sorting storage lockers out and tidying before the weather starts to turn; get a coat of paint on the north facing skirting boards, trim the edge of an access hatch and lastly get a spot of lubrication on the new bike.

Tues 6th, into Elgin to get train via Inverness to Edinburgh; had to travel a day early to get my bike on, no bike space Wed!  Train running about an hour late, lots of passengers jumpin up n doon because of missed connections.  I decide to get off at Haymarket as it's a shorter push to daughter Louise's flat, I'm carrying big, heavy rucksack and didn't fancy diving into the traffic trying to ride with that on my back!!
D arriving by bus Wed evening.  Sunshine, a pleasant temperature for riding, the Union Canal is only a short distance from the flat giving a traffic free route towards Tollcross, from there another ten minutes saw me at Edinburgh Bike Co-op. A good mooch around the shop looking at all the shiny bits of bike then bought a spare innertube and set of ergo grips; not exactly a big spender but enough for starters, then back towards Tollcross to Bike Trax where a good sale price cut persuaded me to invest in a heavy duty D lock.

Thurs 8th, took a pleasant walk along the canal back past Bike Trax and into A Taste Of France!

A great spot for a coffee and croissant.  No coffee and cake shot this time, however, on Tues 13th I was back there for lunch!  See below.

Tomato and basil soup along with a serious hunk of tomato basil and Brie baguette.

Queens Hall was the venue for the evening of the 8th.  Orchestra del Sol were doing their one performance of the Fringe before heading down to Englandshire to play a couple more gigs.
It was a sell out performance, the last few tickets selling as a result of the band doing a bit of street playing up in the Grass Market and pulling the customers in!!

Friday night and I was on my way to Ae forest for more 'down hill' mayhem with Rescue Medics, SDA members providing the casualties!

10th and 11th, training on Saturday and racing Sunday. 

Saturday evening Ae bike base put on a great BBQ, £2.50 for a very tasty pork and apple burger, salad, coleslaw etc, fantastic value.

The vino collapse courtesy of  Paul's medicinal wine import enterprise!!

The ambulance arrives to deliver another damaged rider! 

Sunday 18th, A treat for the Cancer Support Group!  Mrs Yates, a charming lady, very kindly laid on a garden party at The Grove, her staff had pulled out the stops and really did us proud, a superb buffet, a drink or two plus entertainment!  A great afternoon was had by all!!

Lastly a new member of the household arrived!  Roxy, a six and half year old rescue cat who had been abandoned by her owner.

July, where did it go??

Home on the 2nd, lots of sorting, repacking tent, stowing clean stuff away, clean bike.  Relax!!
3rd, a text from Kiwis Matt and Francie saying they were in a B&B in Elgin and how about meeting up for a drink (I last saw them zooming off from the Utsikten Hotel/Hostel near Kvinesdal Norway on a long downhill run, Francie having dodgy brakes!!).

4th, still putting bits of kit away but weather great so off for a short ride, just a couple of miles each way but, surprise surprise, a cafe was part of the programme!

6th, revving up for a drink or three! (Birthday cake from Cancer Group)

 

Serious business cake cutting!!

 

7th, a cracker of a day, coffee in the sun with Mark and Nic, then a slow wander over to The Bothy for a late (very) breakfast and joined by Jim and Gillian who had cycled over to collect their car from the previous day.

9th, 0830 appointment with Med Practise Nurse; blood letting for my quarterly PSA test.  That evening was a meeting of the local cancer support group where I met up with some of the ladies who had turned out early on that cold April morning three months ago to tie balloons all over me and the bike and wave me off on my wee bike ride!!  This time I was ambushed with a superb pictorial birthday cake, thankfully not sporting 70 candles!!

10th, back to spinning! only twelve bikes in a corner of the main gym as the spinning suite is having an air conditioning makeover.  Home to dump sports bag, grab a bite of lunch and then off to Sneckie (Inverness) for a spot of caffeine therapy, with possibly cake on the side, at Velocity, Sneckie's only (that I know of) DIY bike repair workshop (assistance on hand if required) cum coffee n cake, soup etc.  Meeting place and all round bikey stuff;

though the main reason for venturing to the metropolis was that the 'lad' (Son Philip) was playing in a gig at Hootananny that night and coming back to BH for a couple of days before shooting off to Italy for another gig.  Student nurse Fair (ex ski patrol buddy) based at Raigmore Hospital just up the road, escaped bed pan cleaning and came along for the gig (and the beer).   Phil had been co-opted into the band (Fat Suit) to give the trumpet section some 'body and power and afterwards was coming back to Burghead for a break.

11th, daughter Louise (bike ride blog Drop Box photo sorter) drove up from Edinburgh collecting granddaughter Corran on the way; the weekend was to be a gathering of Cardwell offspring!

12th, eldest daughter Joanne and grandson Thijs arrived all meeting up at Covesea.  Covesea Cafe , unpretentious and serving what I think is one of the best Cullen Skinks for many a mile.  A grand 'sea food lunch' was had by all!

15th, into Elgin for a specific cat food; while I'd been away Freddie, our moggy had developed a tumour on his neck, the vet had removed what he could but the tumour was on his trachea  and couldn't be totally excised; the vet, Paul, a Dutch guy was very good and said "In his opinion there was no point in paying for a biopsy because either malignant or benign the tumour will continue to grow and will press on his airway or restrict his ability to eat, better to buy him a nice piece of fish while he can still eat".

17th, Lisa, a neighbour is training for a bike ride with friends in Shetland so I suggested a run out to Findhorn along some of the single track trails through Roseisle and on past Kinloss to the Foundation and the Blue Angel Cafe.  Sunshine was the order of the day and a great run through the forest was had.  Coffee and cake was forced upon me (well it would have been rude to refuse!).

19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, off to the west again to sort kit and load ambulances ready for the drive down to Glesca and Cathkin Braes to provide medical cover for the National XC Mt Bike Championships.  Packed and away by 1830, collect repaired quad bike from Ian at Laggan, on to Dalwhinny to pick up nurse Ann then down the A9, fuel up at Perth and on to the race site.  We were directed to the camping field and told "Camp anywhere", five minutes later a 'job's worth' appears, "You can't camp here, you'll have to move over there"' to keep the peace (It's now 2345) we moved 'over there', got ourselves sorted broke out the beer and relaxed!
Race Base, Easy-up was up and set out ready for action, mobile units geared up and ready to go, now, catering??  Soon located at the top of the site, two caterers each with a large choice of breakfast goodies; breakfast pancakes with bacon and maple syrup sounded good along with a large filter coffee.  Sorted for the moment, personnel all in place; the coutrse was live for training.
Sunday, same routine but a lot more adrenaline fueled, the race was on!

Med Base and Paul with Doc Helen.

The Workers, like coiled springs ready for action at a moments notice!! (Between races!)

The front tyre needed resuscitating but the rider escaped unscathed!

Potential Customer!

24th, Cancer Support Men's Group meet up for a coffee at the newly opened CLAN (Cancer Link Aberdeen and North) Drop-in Centre in Elgin.  At the centre they offer counselling and a range of therapies, with volunteers on hand to offer a biccy and make you a cuppa!

 

29th, new bike delivered!!

 

Donations totalled £1524.00 so again a huge Thank you!

 





Some facts and figures.

Firstly a very big THANK YOU to all who donated to any of the three Just Giving pages or handed over hard cash or cheques, I very much appreciate your generosity.  The Just Giving pages will soon close and their totals will be added to the cash/cheques donated; the final sum will be given in the next blog post.

The North Sea Cycle Route, is a 6000km  journey down the east coast of Scotland and England, crossing the North Sea from Harwich to the Hook of Holland, then north following the west coast of Holland, Germany and Denmark, south along the east coast of Denmark; ferry to Sweden, north into Norway and follow the coast to Bergen; ferry to Shetland then south to your start point.

Since the route was devised a number of changes have been made, some ferry sailings have been taken off and diversions added including a section going south into Belgium.

My route would take me from Burghead to Newcastle upon Tyne, ferry to Ijmuiden, through Holland, Germany and Denmark, across to Norway and flight from Stavanger to Dyce; a lift to Elgin and cycle to Burghead.  Approximate distance: 4000km.  Pedalled 3000km.
                                         

The Bike: A Dahon Matrix folding Mountain Bike fitted with rear pannier frame, Shimano 24 speed with twist grip changers, Shimano pedals clip one side flats on t'other.

Tyres: Schwalby Hurricane, they gave a good low friction road ride on center of tyre and knobbly sides provided traction on off road stuff; also being a fat tyre you got a softer ride.

Saddle:  Selle Royale Italia Jel. 

Bike problems:  Fell off, Note, must remember to unclip feet from pedals!?! 
2 x punctures, 3 if you count the one in Norway when the repair patch lifted but it was the same hole as the first puncture!
1 x broken spoke in rear wheel, repaired at Bike & Sport, Wilhelmshaven.  I've had no problem with the wheel since.

Clothing:  1 set lightweight waterproofs, 1 x windproof top with zip off sleeves, 1 pr Diadora cycle shoes with Shimano cleats, 1 pr cycle overshoes, 1 pr Crocks (bulky but v light), 2 pr cycle gloves (1 pr fingerless), 1 Buff (multipurpose), 4 prs socks (binned some on route and bought others), 2 pr under pants, 3prs padded cycle under shorts, 1 pr outer cycle shorts, 1 ir leg warmers (binned in Norway), 1 pr 3/4 cycle trousers (bought in Norway), 1 pr lightweight Mountain Workshop casual trousers, 1 x T shirt, 2 x cycle shirts, 2 thin fleece tops, 1 x thin fleece gillet.
! x folding tooth brush, sml tube tooth paste, sml bottle shower gel, 1 x micro fibre travel towel.

Equipment: Under saddle bag containing: 1 x spare inner tube, puncture repair kit, strip of Tyre Boot, 1 x brake cable, 1 x gear shift cable, 2 x chain quick links, 2 pr brake pads, slim adjustable spanner, Crank Brothers cycle multi tool, GP multi tool, 2 pr surgical gloves, sml can WD40, piece of rag. 
Tent (Eurohike Backpacker), Vango full length therma rest, Ultra light Quechua sleeping bag, Trangia Mini stove, Thermos mug, Sea to Summit spoon, lighter (for stove), 1/2 ltr spare fuel,
Maps (some free some bought, posted home when no longer required).
1 x Archos cobalt 80 tablet and case.

I never weighed the loaded bike but would guestimate the two panniers, tent etc weighed around 25kg.

The bike is now due a good service, so tomorrow could well be a bike clean and de-grease before booking it in for a proper sort out, though I might just tell them to leave the rear wheel well alone.

Scotland (and home)!

It doesn't feel as though I've been away for three months!  I need to dig out the maps used early on and relate photos to locations, that should stir up a few memories, the 'face fungus' is a bit of a reminder as well though it will soon be gone!!

Tuesday 2nd July.  St Svithun Vanderheim, Stavanger - Burghead Moray via Dyce and Elgin. 
An early breakfast had been asked for so that I could catch the 0700 bus to Sola Airport.  However, breakfast turned out to be unlimited coffee, a large waffle, a banana, an apple and a carton of apple juice.  Apart from the coffee I stuffed the rest of my 'breakfast' into my backpack to be consumed at leisure through the day. 
It was 0645 and I still had to get my boxed bike out of the baggage store and down to the bus stop about 200mtrs away; seeing me manhandle a large and obviously heavy box out of the store one of the desk staff covering reception kindly offered to help carry it to the bus stop (she were a grand lass!!).  At the bus stop with five minutes or so to spare I stood watching the tunnel mouth from where the bus should appear; the receptionist who helped me carry the bike box down had told me that the timetable was wrong and that 0700 was when the bus left city centre, due at SUS 0712, no problem as the journey to Sola was only 17 minutes.  The bus was a couple of minutes late, not surprising considering the amount of traffic on the road at that time.  Hand signals to the driver got me a nod and thumbs up to stow the bike in one of the side storage lockers, that done I stepped up into the bus to pay the driver; the fare from SUS - Sola was 100 krone (£14 Norway is expensive!!) and that price was discounted by 25% to service personnel and geriatrics!
Due to the North Sea oil and all the ancillary businesses that are springing up in its wake Sola Airport is rapidly expanding and it looks as though the planners are actually planning, the bus having a wide lane and good parking area at the terminal.
Box off loaded and onto a baggage trolley, through the revolving door unscathed and aim for the check in.  E-ticket all in order an attendant leads me to the Special Baggage Security Zone; the best part of a roll of Gaffer Tape securing the box has to be cut to insert a 'sniffer probe' presumably checking for drugs and/or explosives!  All clear!  Box onto conveyor and away through a curtained hole in the wall.
A smooth flight with almost completely clear sky, flying over a rig it was possible to make out the gas flare and helipad quite clearly.  Cloud increasing as we approached Dyce and a wee jolt as the plane wheels touched down; nearly home!
Monday 1st July a number of texts were crossing the North Sea; I'd kindly been offered a lift from Dyce back to home!  Hmm??  Check weather forecast....wet!!...windy!!...I've had a gut full of that thanks!!  Txt..Hi Jim, Err yes please a lift would be great thanks, It's very kind of you to offer!!

Smooth landing, small bag was third piece on the carousel and a wait of only three or four minutes saw my bike box appear,  no one covering the 'Nothing to declare' channel and I'm into the arrivals hall.  What a star, Jim is already there.  It doesn't take long to escape the folk shambling around arrivals and once into the car park the bike box is loaded into the car; we're soon out of the airport and on to the A96 west bound.

Bacon roll had cropped up in conversation a number of times so roughly twenty minutes into the journey we pulled into a café/farm shop.  Bacon was side lined in preference of link sausage roll, three very tasty locally made bangers in a brown (healthy option) softy roll along with a large black coffee!  (no cake).
Fed and watered we were back on the road and made good time to Elgin, arriving, would you believe it, at lunchtime!!  Moments later Diane (my wife) drew up by the gateway, she was going to take my panniers and camping equipment etc. back to Burghead while Jim and I finished my journey by cycling the last eight miles back.
Gillian (Jim's wife) had prepared soup and sandwiches for us all, so after a filling lunch and yet more coffee Jim and I stripped the gaffer and parcel tape off of my bike box.  It was a bit like a conjurer's top hat, bits of bike, camping equipment, bags of clothes appearing and piling up and for an encore a pair of cycling shoes, a helmet and a bike frame!
Assorted bike parts were reassembled and checked, bike shoes on, helmet fastened.  Jim was all set, he was going to keep me company for the few miles back to Burghead. 
Overcast and looking grim but managing to stay dry we pedalled off along the road and up the hill past Spiny Hospital.  It wasn't long before we were riding through Roseisle and on to the last downhill stretch into the village, another 300mtrs and I was back home.  No balloons in evidence (good) but Diane had put up a nice 'Welcome Back' frieze!!

Wednesday 3rd July.  A 'sort out ' day, emptying bags, kit for washing, tent repacked, stove and pan cleaned.  Time for a wee bike ride!!!  Just a couple of miles to the next village and a quality control visit to The Primrose Café!!

Looks good enough to eat!

A taste test was equally positive!



Back home and I've stowed my bike away when an incoming text rings on my phone; it's from Francie (of team Kiwi), she and Matt have arrived in Elgin and are staying at a B&B, it would be great to meet up for a drink, they would be eating at The Muckle Cross around 8pm.

Matt and Francie!
The intrepid 'Team Kiwi'

Down through Scotland and on into deepest Englandshire and they've done it!!