We've done it!

After 67 days, 4630kms cycled and over £10,000 raised, we made it to Gibraltar on 11th October.

And we even got on the news...

http://www.gbc.gi/news/news-player.php?programme=475&episode=5057

Fantastic to complete the journey. It's been incredible as has the support.

Full update to come, but now the beach is calling...

Penultimate day, milestones and not the final post

Our penultimate day on the bikes, as we prepare for tomorrow's final few kms to Gibraltar. Humph stormed past the 4000km mark today. Considering he only signed up initially for a couple of 'easier weeks' in northern France, this is quite a achievement. Especially when you take into account the dodgy knees and weight of beard.

And we are now over the £10,000 mark for donations. Thanks to a wonderful surge online this week including a number of amazing people sponsoring twice. I can't thank you all enough. And the cash donations keep coming in from people we meet on the road, who see the shirts and hear the story behind the journey.

So Gibraltar tomorrow and the end of an amazing ten week adventure.

I'm not ready to wrap this up just yet, but suffice to say that it has been incredible on many fronts.

Bring in the Rock!

£10,000 raised!

As we zero in on Gibraltar, with one and a half days riding to go, I'm absolutely delighted to say we've just hit the magical £10k!!

Unbelievable. The pain as I lie here trying to straighten my back out in Fuegirola's finest campsite, is totally worth it.

Thank you to everyone involved in what is proving to be a marvellous final drive to the line. You are all stars.

Sincere and most humble thanks,

Charlie and Humph

2 Days To Go..

.. but can we get to double digits before the boys reach Gibraltar?

If you can help, visit :

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CharlieVaughanGriffith

Or for text donations of up to £10, text CHVG77 plus the amount to 70070

Thank you enormously!!

Tour HQ xx

Glass!

Nothing like fixing a puncture on the hard shoulder of a Spanish motorway (bikes prohibited) to focus the mind..

Thankfully, 40ks later as we approach Granada, we were sat in a roadhouse diner having a beer, having gritted it out, evaded the police, dodged most of the sh*t and debris in the road and avoided the endless stream of lorries.

All in a day's work. So, how was your afternoon dear?

Charlie hits 4000kms!

Strong work, VG...

(... and if our meticulous planning works out I should make 4000kms just as we cross the finish line in Gibraltar only a week or so away.. BRING IT ON!)

Au revoir la France, you saucy mistress...

After 3000 kilometres, 386 baguettes, 51 days, 26 départements, 5 separate crossings of the mighty Rhone, 2 punctures and a handful of wild rants at careless drivers, France - you great temptress - it is time to say goodbye.

Forget Switzerland - that was a reckless fling. Meant nothing, all in the past, honest! 

France... most visited country on Earth, birthplace of the nonchalant shrug, home of short politicians and more classy vistas than you could waggle a legless frog at. 

From your unpromising Channel ports lulling visitors into a false sense of indifference, to the sublime dotting of forests and chateaux along the Loire; from the stunning volcanoes and tasty springs of the Auvergne to the spirit-testing cols of the Alps; from the sun-baked Provencal hinterland to the kilometre-high Gorges du Verdon; from the wild horses, pink flamingoes and salt mountains of the surreally-flat Camargue, to the splendour of the Pyrenees and the winsome, winding cliff-top roads leading to the Spanish border... France, you have teased and tempted us with your shapely curves and come-hither looks.

 

 

 

 

From the friendly locals' bonjours to the encouraging toots of passing lorries; from the whipping Charlie received at crazy golf to his recovery of some kind of form at mini boules; from the many examples of kindness from friends and strangers alike to the arrival on tour of the Armenian bullet; from the surprise tour call-up of David Bellamy to accepting that my upright riding style looks like the old guy on the moped who leads out cyclists in the velodrome... France, it almost brings a tear to the eye to see the back of you. Although, what a back it is.

 

 

We'll miss you, France.

 

Sent lovingly (albeit slightly unfaithfully) from Spain...