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Sunday warmed the bikes up with a longer than expected cycle to St Ives, introducing the team to the local beer and hills they would likely experience for the next few days. Returned to the Land's End Hotel, the point of departure and met up with Riette, Dylan and Lauren (Peter's wife and children). Group grabbed hold of the beacon and had photographs taken in sponsor gear (Standard Life and UTi). This assembly around the beacon proved to be a moving experience for all of us.

Enjoyed a great dinner with emotional thoughts and words setting the context for the next 10 days.

Long day with long hard hills!!! In hindsight, day one probably was too much too soon. This tested the mettle of the team in getting going the next day.

Stopped at St Austel for lunch and were enthusiastically received by the locals at an eatery. Mr Bob Brindley presented us with £105.00 towards our collection goal. This directly contributed to a spontaneous collection of £20.00 amongst the patrons present.

Karin (logistics and support) arrived to provide backup.

Team stopped at fancy castle hotel with a rack rate of £1500.00 per night. Where politely asked not to wake the sleeping guests.

Jin (part time rider) joined the group.

Some of the group was given a cup of tea by a lady called Hazel while they took a break on her front wall. After a relatively quiet and easy ride compared to the first two days, the team chatted up all the patrons of the local bar and collected some contributions to the cause. Joyce and Gordon significantly contributed to the general mirth of the group when they joined for a nightcap.

Logistics and support really starting to click along nicely now. For the first time Roxy and Jacky (the medical support crew) services are in demand. Butt cream being used in vast quantities now as are some other remedies. Some riders have run into stinging nettle while trying to maintain their dignity and privacy on a biological.

Traffic became more of an issue as we used A roads more frequently. Some near misses!

Close miss on a busy section of traffic when Debbie came off, thankfully falling left onto the verge and not into the traffic. No serious injuries.

Stopped at a duck pond for lunch and collected £45.00 pounds.

2 Standard Life riders joined us for todays stage, with Andy and Kevin taking on a lot of responsibility to lead the group in. Standard Life and their contribution cannot go unmentioned, their financial contribution aside, the resources and support are making this easier for us. Standard Life hosted us to a reception at their office where their staff turned out to extend to us a very warm welcome.

Simon from Woodsons Cycles came to the hotel (after hours) and gave all the bikes a once over for free and also allowed us to buy spares at cost prices. A big help and most welcome.

Sadly Dave (route manager) leaves us tonight after doing a sterling job seeing us safely through the first 4 days. Karin takes on the responsibility for this important job from tomorrow on.

Despite tired legs, bumps, bruises and tiredness, humour, spirit and commitment in the team is amazing and inspirational. A privilege to be part of this effort. A very good way to celebrate and honour the way Peter is.

Slow, difficult ride out of town with Andy (Standard Life staffer) leading the way. Couple of tough hills to get over on the way before a welcome lunch break at top of the last long large hill.

Ewie stopped Marjorie and Anne (driving battery operated carts) for causing traffic congestion. Were very happy to talk to us. Jin had more flats in a couple of hours than the rest of the team combined since we started out at Land's End, sadly had to give up riding for the day.

Toward the end of the ride met Steve, a partially sighted cyclist with a custom built bike and sidecar that he intends to pedal from Oslo to the Artic Circle... with his guide dog in the side car!!! This effort in support of Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Stopped at the Scottish border and listened to Iain give the team an amazing rendition of "Flower of Scotland" followed by him kissing the tarmac. Great mirth!!

The undulating hills and valleys provided for a scenic route while the team churned out the mileage in what must be the quickest pace of the ride so far. The team may have made a lone cyclist sell his bicycle as they passed him at about 40kmph...

Some of the team were treated to laundry and breakfast while the rest of the team were not so lucky.

Following 600 miles of accident free driving by the girls in the support team, "Frodo" Campbell (rider) reversed van into a lamppost, causing the light of the lamppost to turn on for the first time in a long time, proving that he does a better job in the saddle than the driver's seat. For the lamp repair "Frodo" received a standing ovation from those in the beer garden.

Tokolosh presented the support team with the "Flower of Scotland" in appreciation of their efforts, followed by a special sexy item of underwear for them and the Iron Scott.

Enjoyed the "afternoon off" by exploring Edinburgh Castle and the surrounds.

Highlight of the tour must be the transport to the Castle in a Police Metro van and cruise car. Wayne was transported in the wire cage.

The team worked hard and put in a sterling effort under difficult conditions to finish today's long stage. There was heat, distance, humidity and heavy traffic conditions on some sections of the route.

Got to the Inn at about 20:30 and the team very grateful to have a meal and then an early to bed after an exhausting day.

Once again the support crew proved to be invaluable and there is simply no way the team would have managed to get through the day without Karin, Roxy and Jacky. Good job ladies!!!!

The team unanimously agreed to change Peter Campbell's nickname from Frodo to Vrot Ou (South African slang for stinky) as a result of him now wearing the same unwashed riding jersey for day 8 of this effort, and vowing to wear this jersey for 2 more days. You can smell him before you see him. Tokolosh has the unenviable pleasure of sharing a room with him...

At dinner tonight a fellow diner gave us £20.00 to the cause. Great stuff!! People we meet along the road continue to be friendly and supportive and there is genuine awe when the team confirms that they are on track to do this ride in the 10 days planned..great team, good job guys.

The locals were treated to the "boere langarm" (Afrikaans Folk Dancing) by Tokolosh and Jacky. Miss America took to it immediately. Jacky and Roxy (ringers!!!) beat the guys at pool.

The Iron Scott had his "lower back" (arse) shaved for medicinal purposes. Much anticipation for the last day but the feelings mixed as the prospect of saying good bye to good friends looms.

Tokolosh gave the team a fright by taking rather a dramatic spill, head over heels and then almost landing on his wheels again...maybe next time. No serious injuries thankfully. Pride a bit bruised.

Stopped about 10 miles short of John O'Groats and regrouped for a slow ride into John O'Groats collecting our thoughts and reminding ourselves about why we had undertaken this endeavour in the first instance. We received a hero's welcome from the ever present and supportive crew. Marsha (Cadence Murray's wife) broke out the balloons.

As a group we stopped short of the line, dismounted and walked the last 3 steps or so together in honour and celebration of Peter and his dream and his life despite his absence. We felt him every mile of this great journey. The team delivered his greatest wish and that was to enjoy the challenge and the fellowship, and we managed to do this in some style. Firm and lasting friendships have been formed.

Had an official photo call with Standard Life, freezing our butts off in the chilly wind blowing in off the sea. There are so many people to thank whose amazing contribution and support made this all possible, riders, sponsors, the support crew, families who encouraged participation and sacrificed their time. Our main thanks must go to Peter though, who inspired us all and who created the will and the vision.

The celebratory dinner ended with a whisky tasting laid on by Standard Life.

Bitter sweet goodbyes over breakfast, see you all again in 2009 for the next 1,000 miles and hopefully long before that.