Day 6- Shrewsbury to Preston

Before we go any further, we need to express our gratitude to all the lads at Shrewsbury Fire Station, in particular, Green Watch and Red Watch. We were made to feel very welcome and it was a good night had by all. We discussed what time we would get up this morning, and we decided that it wouldn’t be before half 6. However as Shrewsbury is a 24hr station, at 05:30hrs this morning, they had a ‘shout’. All the lights in the station came on and the alarms were sounding. This turned out to be bad timing for Tris, as he had chosen that exact moment to get up and nip to the loo! He was like a rabbit caught in headlights as everyone woke up and thought he had set something off!

Half of the ‘Watch’ had gone to a barn fire, while the other half insisted on cooking our breakfast. They had brought extra just for us. Once again many thanks. We are finding it simply astonishing how total strangers are so willing to help us, by putting us up for the night, cooking food, or even just making a donation. I think that working for the police you get so used to dealing with all the bad people in the world, it’s strange to come across genuinely nice people!



We left just after 8 and embarked on the 80 or so miles to Preston.

Today was a little different as we were stopping in Warrington which is a good 30 miles before the finish in Preston. This meant piling into the van and driving back on ourselves. However, there was method in our madness as the kind people at the Village Hotel in Warrington were putting us up for the night. It was organised by the reception staff at the Village hotel in Dudley, which is on our beat. The Dudley branch have even chipped in and paid for our evening meal, which I must say, was delicious!

The route meant that for most of today, the boys would be following the A49, through Whitchurch, Warrington, Wigan and lots of other places that probably begin with W! We have increased the rest stops to every 15-20 miles, mainly just to give the lads a chance to have a stretch. They have clocked close to 400 miles now, and the aches and pains are becoming more noticeable. We are regretting not getting sponsored by ‘Deep Heat’ as we have gone through tins of the stuff! I am also worried for their mental state; Paul has started singing, while Dave has developed a fascination with photographing absolutely everything! They were stopped at traffic lights today not far from Preston, and he took a photo of a porta-loo! The quicker he fills up his 4GB memory card in his camera, the better! What’s worse is that Keith is starting to pose in Dave’s photos, photos which may not be legally allowed to be posted on the blog! (I’ll leave that to your imagination!!) They are having a bit of a challenge between them, as who can take the most artistic photo. some are quite good.....

Paul has to take the credit for this one.

Other attempts at 'Art' didn't quite work.....................

As we hit Warrington, the girls went to the hotel and checked in, took our bags up to the rooms and did some shopping, while Omar and I followed the lads through to Preston. It saved us messing about when we got to the hotel, leaving more time to enjoy the sauna and swimming pool!

The boys were flying, and they were in Preston for 5pm. They were commenting on the bus back to the hotel how difficult it was dealing with the increased traffic. The previous few days have took them along quitter roads, whereas today saw them spending a large amount of the run in built up areas dealing with traffic lights and impatient drivers. However, they will be off the busy roads tomorrow and into the Lake District; a shorter day, but with more hills, a different challenge altogether!

Many thanks to everyone at the Village in Warrington and Dudley for tonight. This definitely beats camping!

Posted by John

A few more pics

The team in West Buckland with Matt's police car. Can we have one of them please??

Is it getting too much for Paul?

The extra riders that came along from Hereford to Shrewsbury. Paul (in yellow), Rob (the one having a disagreement with his bike!)

Just a few pics from the challenge so far

The whole team outside Dudley nick just before we set off

Paul at the rest stop on the way down to Cornwall, contemplating the journey ahead

Omar, finally losing his rag after spending two days at the garage!

Keith Tris and Dave comparing tan lines after day two.

The lads just before setting off from West Buckland (Wellington) with Matt, the local copper.

The whole team except for John at Land's End just before kick off

One of many unscheduled stops!

Keith, Paul and Tris on Avonmouth Bridge (perhaps wishing they were swimming instead of cycling?)

Pc Davies with the infamous guitar-thankfully Carey took it back with him!

Day 5

 

For some unfathomable reason, everyone was more or less awake at half five this morning. I was not impressed. We didn't leave until after 8, so such an early start was quite unnecessary. As you may have guessed, I'm not a morning person!

 

After Carey and Jamie had done a splendid job with erecting the tents the previous day, we left them to take them down for us too! The lads all piled into the minibus with Omar and me and we returned them to the spot where they finished yesterday. Today saw them cycling a few miles south of Hereford, 68 miles up the road to the Fire station at Shrewsbury. Once in Hereford, we were joined by two more cyclists; Rob and another Paul (Greaves). Rob is a friend and neighbour of Paul Davies and Paul Greaves is a fellow colleague and also joined us for the Aberdovey ride a few weeks ago.

 

The route was quite scenic. We kept away from the busier A roads, and kept to the quieter country routes, taking us through Leintwardine and Bishops Castle. Yesterday's 100 mile ride really took it out of the lads and at times today it showed in their faces. Nevertheless they pushed on, taking advantage of some sweet downhills on the approach to Shrewsbury. Today was a much shorter and more pleasant day. We rolled into town just before 3pm to a very warm welcome from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Services finest. We have our own little area upstairs with a 52 inch telly! Pure luxury compared to last night where we were more or less sleeping outside (I don't like camping!)

 

We had more friends and family came to meet us this evening; Sam and Marc with their 18 day old baby girl, Grace, Hayley with her chap Dan (who are all good work colleagues and friends), then my mom, dad and sister. In no time at all we were in the pub and celebrating and day well done. On returning to the station, Glynn the watch commander asked us if we wanted a full English brekkie in the morning. What a silly question! We're not going to turn that down! I think it will be a slightly earlier night tonight as everyone is quiet tired. However, we are all looking forward to a night in a hotel tomorrow-a proper mattress at last, I can't wait!

 

Posted by John

Day 4

Everyone was up and getting themselves sorted by half 6 this morning and by 820 we were under way. Matt, the local copper who sorted last nights digs joined the boys for the first 25 miles. He claimed not to be an accomplished cyclist but he took no time at all in blowing our boys away. Mind you he did have fresh legs!

This was our first proper day with the whole team working as one unit. Omar and Jo were in the little van, while Bev and I were in the mini bus brining up the rear. Omars van went ahead scouting for suitable stopping places to set up a rest stop, and our bus stayed behind where possible in case of any mechanical issues with the bikes or riders.

We meandered our way through Somerset, passing through Taunton, Cheddar, and Clevedon, going down some very narrow country lanes which took us towards Avonmouth docks. Talking afterwards to the boys, they said how cycling through all the docks and industrial estates leading up to the Severn Bridge was the worst part. The roads were very busy with impatient truck drivers driving very close to them and hurling abuse because they'd been held up for 30 seconds!

Once across the bridge and into Wales, we stopped at Tintern Abbey. (well we think that bit was Wales!) We saw Michael Portillo doing some filming. (that's not the reason we stopped I might add!) Bev asked him for a photo with the team, to which his assistant piped up saying how 'busy' he was! Miserable sod! You could see how tired the boys were now, but with less than 20 miles to go, they pushed on. The last few miles were filled with many hills which really pushed the lads to their limits. Exactly 100 miles after leaving West Buckland they arrived at the finish point. Tonight's stop is off route. So we all piled in the vans and drove to Pauls caravan-to be honest, I'm not exactly sure where we are!

We were greeted by a lot of familiar faces- Faye, Jay and Carey, from work-Carey brought his mrs-Jaime, and Flynn-his rather cool dog! Bevs husband-Mac, and Daves wife and daughter-Jules and Cath, were here too. As soon as we arrived, everyone jumped to action stations and within minutes, Jamie had our air beds inflated, Mac had all our bags in our tents and Jules and Cath did an excellent job with the bbq!

Omar and I managed to get our first showers since Saturday morning- not because we like to smell, its just that we haven't stopped anywhere until now that had one! When I got back to camp, everyone was sitting in a circle listening to Paul attempt to play 'Drunken Sailor' on his guitar. The same guitar that we had deliberately left so that we wouldn't have to suffer, but Carey managed to bring it with him! Thanks Carey!

Right now we're all drinking Carey's homemade wine, so there maybe a few hangovers in the morning!

Posted by John

Messages:

From Paul,

Hi Elliott missing you loads, dad.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Fw:

Day 3

After re jigging the kit once again, we managed to get a better nights sleep. It was still awful but better than the previous night. I woke around half 7. Omar was still asleep, so, for a laugh, I decided to get the video camera and wake him up on film. As I was clambering over all the boxes in the van, with the video camera poised and ready to go, I was just about to wake him when I heard a tap on the bus window. It was Dave the garage owner with a very puzzled look on his face! He stumbled to get the words 'ill start work on your van in 20 minutes' out of his mouth, before scurrying away! Heaven knows what he thought we were up to!

By 8 am the bus had its wheels off and the parts had been ordered. They had to come from Exeter, some 80 miles away, but we didn't care, we were making progress.

We haven't heard much from the others today we're guessing they've got their heads down and going for it. Its a good 80 miles for them. We did hear that Bev and Jo managed to get lost so at least not all the bad luck is lying with me and Omar! 

The wheels on the bus go round and round!

 After yet more hanging around, the parts finally arrived at half two. And by half four we were finally on our way to the overnight stop just north of Wellington. The girls knew that we were coming but we told the lads that the parts hadn't arrived and it would be Wednesday before we would get to them. Our sneaky surprise worked! We walked into the village hall in West Buckland, Somerset just after half 7. The boys didn't suspect a thing. Keith didn't even recognise us! They were so pleased to see us! It was great. The forgotten two were finally reunited with the rest of the team!

Omar and I had our first hot meal of the day before we sorted the vans out and re packed them. Matt, the copper who sorted out tonight's accommodation had left us two big bottles of local  cider! They didn't last long!

Hopefully all our problems are behind us now and we can complete the challenge hassle free!

Everyone is Looking forward to seeing friends and family tomorrow in Hereford. It should be a good day.

Posted by John. 
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

At one with nature