Kirkcaldy proved to be more akin to a Carribean beach resort than the grey coastal town that it had been rumoured to be. We experienced tremendous luxury at the JRD trust who kindly put us up for the night and allowed us use of all their facilities (never have so many people taken such joy from merely sitting on sofas) including a convenient courtyard which was soon transformed into a hub for bike maintenance. The tropical temperatures prompted us to head for the beach. Our swim in the sea was slightly short lived as the water was a minefield of floating sanitary towels and jelly fish so we headed for the shore to spend a relaxing afternoon soaking up rays. A couple of us headed back to the JRD trust to sit in on a bible study class and emerged to be greeted by puff pastry pizzas made by the rest of the gang. The gastronomic odyssey did not end there however as, after a prolonged absence, Pete returned bearing PIE and various other sweet delights which we demolished with due haste. A late night play rehersal ensued on an ACTUAL stage but due to delirious tiredness the majority of the cast ended up rolling around on the floor laughing..

The next day we awoke and set off for Pitlochry. The ride there was amazingly beautiful and followed the cycle path almost the entire way ensuring minimal navigational stress. The day was filled with stunning views and music. Our group stopped in Perth to refuel with coffee and eggs. With renewed energy Pete took his turn pulling the trailer and we headed through some of our most beautiful countryside yet and spotted an array of wildlife including families of deer and hundreds of baby pheasants. We were welcomed into Pitlochry by a pipe band and coconut curry kindly procured by the cooking team. Our evening activities including the recital of a poem Olivia had written us followed by a doughnut eating competition – the aim being to not lick your lips whilst eating (this proved to be much harder than anticipated).

We had an unexpected day off in Pitlochry the next day which we filled with visits to the salmon ladder, cake, knitting, shopping, loch swimming and more cake. ‘Hettie’s’ proved to be the finest cake vendor in Pitlochry serving slices the size of your face. We had to say a tearful goodbye to Pete who had to return to London to work. We wept into our cake a little and then consoled ourselves with eating more cake. A crack team of hardcore thrillseekers, namely Louise, Sam and Robin set off for Loch Tummel to have a dip in its icy waters whilst the rest of us spent the rest of the afternoon exploring, perusing charity shops, learning to knit and listening to music in the sunshine.

The following days cycle to Carrbridge was undulatingly lovely. After reaching the highest point of the tour we descended down to be greeted by the Dalwhinnie whiskey distillery where lunch was had. All three teams managed to pass Olivia who was spending a day at the Highland Folk Museum and wave furiously. The sun had held for most of the day  but our entry into Carrbridge was marked by a massive downpour. The rain stopped long enough for us to set up camp and get cracking with a dinner of veggie sausages and mash. However, as the air thickened with midges we were all forced to seek refuge in our tents and have an early night. When we awoke we were greeted by sunshine. We all began our final day off on tour by basking in the sun’s rays and some had a discreet wash in a bucket. We ventured in ‘to town’ and took over the coffee shop for a session of postcard writing and beverage drinking aswell as clearing out the cafe’s stock of cake. Sadly Ellie had to leave us for a few days to attend a wedding so in usual style we wept into our cake and then ate some more cake as consolation. Back at camp in the evening we feasted on a fabulous meal of vegetable chilli and surprise coconut pudding concocted by the lovely Ruth. As the sun set a cloud of midges descended so we headed for the pub to seek shelter and discuss ethical veganism.

Next morning we were very excited to return to primary schools. We ran a banana chain game workshop in Carrbridge Primary and then performed the play in the school hall. Afterwards we headed onwards to 4 miles down the road to Deshar Primary School to perform the play once more. Both performances went really well and everyone was glad to be back in primary schools after the break. We returned to Carrbridge and once more stormed the coffee shop and devoured cake.

The cycle ride from Carrbridge to Alness got better and better as the day progressed. Sarah recieved her first puncture leaving Mike as the last member of the tour to remain punctureless (accusations of sabotage have been floated). On the way we visited the Clara Cairns, one of the best preserved burial sites in the UK. We experienced one of our windiest days yet adding an extra challenge going up hill…and downhill for that matter. We also passed our first signpost for John O’Groats. This provided a realisation of just how close we are to the finish. Our team had managed to meet up with another charity doing LEJOG but in reverse. They were mid way through their first day of cycling and were planning to cycle the entire route in 7 days! We stopped for a cheeky cup of tea and slice of cake with then and exchanged stories. Team 3 managed to be the first to Alness but the others were not far behind. We were greeted at the West End  Community Centre by feast of delicious food and the service of a five star restaurant. The boys took delight in the availability of video games and air hockey at the centre and everyone slept like logs – happy to be under a roof for a change. The centre had really kindly provided us with EGGS for breakfast so we feasted merrily before heading off to the leisure centre for a much needed shower.

Derby was the location of our long awaited mid-tour retreat. Our vision of it being an emotional and physical recuperation were fulfilled as we rolled along the sweeping gravel driveway to discover a Jane Austen-esque estate complete with horses, a lake, afternoon tea and a man- servant (Alfie you’re a legend!!). Unfortunately Mr Darcy was away on business.

After a restful nights sleep on the manicured lawn we awoke to some meditative yoga led by Hannah. Having removed the knots from our cycle weary bodies we thought a team building exercise in the guise of an Otesha pyramid would be fun! It lasted all of three seconds before a crumpled heap of bodies shouting “my arm, my leg, my hip” ensued. The fun continued down at the lake. Our vision: crystal waters, Borris the boom box and his finest tunes and a picnic lunch. The reality: a cesspool six inches deep with algae, topped with stinging wasps and hissings swans. Undeterred Sarah was the first brave soul to wade neck deep into the delights of Derby’s leisure facilities, closely followed by Robin and Kerry. Ellie and Hannah took a different approach gliding in on their lilos. We doused both them and our tupperware’s in citricidal that evening.

Alongside these frolics we had time for quiet reflection both on our progress so far and looking forwards, gearing our minds and bicycles towards the epic journey to Leeds. We set off bright and early, dominating the Peak district and its unending hills. As the hours passed and pedals turned we were all safe and tucked up in our sleeping bags by the respectable hour of 3am!!! Going in a 2 mile circle through deep foliage didn’t yield the fastest progression. The following day we partook in the 10^th Breeze Festival in Armley Park, Leeds. Morning Choices was received with a rapturous response. One of the festivals aims was to ‘party without pollution’ so Otesha felt right at home, as we put our Lance Armstrong legs to good use, powering a DJ set up inside one of the Marquees.

One of the highlights of the Lejog tour has been the number of quirky places and interesting people we’ve encountered en route and East Rounton was no exception. Pulling in after 62 miles we pitched our tent among the chickens. The owner had taken it upon himself to convert an old barn into an art studio, showcasing local talent. It was pretty awesome to view all the depictions and sculptures of the surrounding countryside, from still life to real life as we ate our morning porridge.

Ellie and Robin were keen to descend on Newcastle, spending the cycle there getting into character perfecting their Ant and Dec jordi accents. Way –ey!! The 70 mile journey was picturesque along the East coast, restoring our faith in cycle path terrain. No journey is ever hitch free through as team one discovered arriving at the Tyne river crossing tunnel, with a lift out of action and broken down escalator the prospect of carrying 4 bicycles, pannier laden and big zip down 350 stairs was not plausible. Onto the next green method of transport  the ferry was considered but with none in sight Becky, Ruth, Louise and Mike loaded their bicycles onto a trailer and hopped in the car shuttle service, ready to face the treacherous crossing to arrive safe and dry in Newcastle. Another town, another workshop, we packed up our tools and set off to deliver another energy filled bicycle maintenance workshop. Those 37 punctures to date had proved handy practice. However beyond this it turned out to be more of a workshop for some of us as the Newcastle kids showed off their bicycle knowledge. Ellie how do you use a bicycle pump again??

Thalia and her sweet talking ways had organised our enforced fun evenings entertainment with a private film showing at a local anarchist cinema. The set up was run by volunteers and consensus s decision making ( a thing or too we also know about) and we reclined in comfy chairs enjoying locally brewed cider at their in- house bar. The following day we cycled on to Alnwick spurred on by Louise’s song “500 miles to John O Groats, All we need is OATS, OATS, OATS”!!