So Close!

Just a quick one to say another successful day - Dave did 25 miles and is just south of truro. We're stopping in Falmouth tonight with Si, and are currently in the bar where the party was which is awesome. Weather has been cool but sunny. Lots of giggles today too. Big thanks to Karen and John for having us last night and for the best nights sleep in ages! Penzance is tomorrow nights destination - about 25 miles away - then the big LE on Fri! Good news is that Bev and Hols are coming tomorrow, Kate is coming tonight, and I really hope Dan is coming tomorrow too. Its a case of wait and see. Im so so so so so so excited!
I feel like I need to sign off like Hols did.
Much love to the whole country and all my lovelies in Swansea.
Beccles.
Boardfree stand-in driver
xxxxxxxxxxxxx

...just loving it

Second Full day of driving complete. 800 miles hit.
Some scary moments today. First up today was the day when we were going to be on the A30. What can I say. Having driven down it on Friday to the Falmouth Party, I was nervous. Incredibly busy, with lots of hills, bad traffic, fast cars, junctions, and sections of the road which become narrow, single roads. Not good when this is the cornish equivalant to the only motorway they have. On the plus side the Cornish are much nicer drivers than those in Somerset and Devon. They beep and wave and are patient. But the day did not start great. I was pulled over by the Police. I let Dave and Dim do the talking. He was just concerned that we were going to get hit by a big lorry. But he said if we tried to use the hard shoulder as much as possible it was ok. Sorry orange flashing light on and we were away.
There were some Scary moments. When it went to single carraige way it was So dangerous that Dave had to walk for a mile and meet us further along. I was worrying like mad when I couldnt see him. However - my van driving skills have grately improved. I reversed into two lots of parking spaces perfectly. I rock. Hollabaloo would be proud of my van driving. I miss you Hols.
The road was quiet today. Not as in cars but people. It was only Me, Dim, and Dave, Kate left this morning. I miss Bev, I missed Mum and Dad, I missed Annie and Mark. It was quiet. I suddenly felt very responsible - but at the same time I liked the responsibility - I liked tidying the van, I liked filling daves water bottles, I liked going to tesco and getting dave treats, I liked making him eat and helping as much as I could.
I like laughing too - Dimitir is so funny - and occasionally i can be funny too. On a quiet road Igave dave some road rage. He fell on the grass verge. It was funny. W e laughed a lot.
So the 800 miles target has been hit. We are staying with a lovely couple called Karen and John who we met through a skate web forum - middleageshred.com, who are just lovely - into skating, they have four cats, a rat, they provided us with pizza, wine and rollies - so i'm a happy girl. Beds for the night, internet and great company - things couldnt be better - especially as Lands end is sooooo close. Im excited.

Rocking the Road…

The bad news is, Dave didn’t make it to the big L E on time.
The good news is, his foot is a little better, he’s making good progress and I’m on the road with him! Yes, sadly, Holly has left us for the final few days and I’ve taken over driving responsibilities – I’ve only done a day and a half – and I'm tired already – Hols – you did so well and I’m so proud of you! Missing you already.
We had a fantastic weekend – I, Bev, Annie and Mark drove down to Falmouth where Simon is at Uni and had a hell of a party with the team and the students of Falmouth. I also bizarrely ran into two old school friends who I haven’t seen for years – Marie and Alan! Was so good to see them.
On Saturday we hooked up with my Mum and Dad, Rae and Phil at a lovely campsite called Barley meadow near crockernwell. The owners were totally lovely. W e had a nice relaxing eve and planned for the next day when we met up with Dave, Hols, Nat, Dim, Kate and Hol’s friend Alice.
Both Saturday and Sunday Dave had a really good skate. It was so good having everyone around him too. On Sunday we met a Lowe-syndrome sufferer called Connor and his family. It really hit me what we were doing and I was overwhelmed with emotion. It was really inspirational to meet both Connor and his family.
On Sunday eve Rae and Phil prepared a really big Barbeque at the campsite and there were 14 of us in total. Every one had a good night with football, bear and great food. It was sooooo nice to have everyone there. It was also hard knowing that the next few days were going to be really quiet with just me, Dave and Dim.
As it turns out its now Monday Night- we’re staying in a fab little place in Exeter and Kate is still with us as she couldn’t get back to London. Dave had an awesome skate today – nearly 35 miles. It’s been good seeing him skating and getting excited about skating – but I guess that’s because the end is in sight.
So, sorry its news in brief, It’s all very exciting. I just want to say a few thank you’s though…
Paul and his family at the barley meadow campsite – you’re amazing and thank you so much for your hospitality.
Mum, Dad, Rae and Phil – for being so organised for camping - for doing all the cooking and for just being awesome.
To Annie, Mark, Nat, Alice – for being such awesome company
To Kate for your map-reading, to Dim for making me laugh so much, to Hols for being so brilliant, to Dave for just pushing on that board so much and to Bev for the continuous emotional support – It was an amazing weekend, and it made the end seem so much nearer.
Right. Got to go wrestle Dimitri fir the Sofa. Night Night. xx

Emotional and helpless.

I just got back from two days with Dave. Leaving him last night was incredibly hard. And a phonecall this morning to say he's on his way to A&E....

Its been very hard being so far away from BFUK, and I can't believe that three weeks have gone since we left them 10 miles south of John O'Groats. Brief phonecalls and checking the web for pics and video's just doesnt compare to being there.

So on Saturday morning, myself, Bev and Dan drove just North of Gloucester to meet up with Dave and Hol. We were so excited to be with them. We arrived at midday and met Pete and Melissa - Dimitri's partners in crime. Dave looked pale, exhausted thin and fragile. Hol didn't look much better. I just couldnt stop hugging them. I missed them so much and seeing them like that, knowing I could do nothing to help was heart breaking. Nat was there too - which was a pick up for Dave and Hol; Dave had a skate buddy, and Hol had the emotional support that no-one else can offer.

A few miles down the road and we stop for Lunch. Pauline and Pete, aka Mum and Dad Cornthwaite rocked up on their bikes. Dave smiled. It was good that they were there.

Then Dimitri showed up. With not only his family and his dog, but a whole troop of people including Eri from the Masai, and half the cast of superheroes. I dont think the little rural pub knew what hit it.

Dave was laughing. Hol got behind her camera lens. I got the impression it was the best thing that had happened in a long time. But even though it was a happy time it was still emotional - these people were amazing and gave Dave that extra push to keep skating.

After 33 miles Dave gave up for the day. But this was an achievement - his foot is a mess. Hol and Nat left us to go and have some rest - Hol needed some time out. A swift half pint with the crazy crew and £70 in donations later, we went to stay with John and Carol - a lovely couple who know Daves Dad. Great company, great food and an interesting triple layered matress to sleep on - a good rest was had by all.

Sunday morning. Its hard to motivate Dave knowing he is in so much pain. None the less - by 11am hes on the road. a few miles later we ended up stopping for 2 and a half hours - for food, for sleep, for re-assessing his shoes, for pain, for the rain. It just wont stop raining. We go down the road to the Mcdonalds to use the toilets, have some tea and get back on the road. We end up staying for an hour while Pete and Dim entertain us by colouring in a picture using anything but crayons - including bbq sauce.

A couple of hours later and Dave has done 24 miles. We call it a day and go to the nearest services. We are 20 miles away form Bristol. Dave is in Agony. I find I have lost my bank card and have to cancel it. I also kill a little bird in my car - I feel bad. We meet up again with Holly and Nat - she is tearful. We check into the hotel - Bev and I make the decision that we drive back to Swansea later that night. Daves blister is worse and infected. While he is in the bath, Bev and I give Hol some hopeful words and motivate her and talk about Oz. She needed some girl time I think. Dave speaks to Kate then I sit with him in the corridor for half an hour. It was emotional. We needed some one on one time. We talk about everything. I'm so so proud.

Bev and I leave at 11pm. Emotional, tired, and not wanting to leave them. Bev has been amazing all weekend - motivating us all, helping out wherever possible, even skating 100metres with Dave. She kept us all going. By half 12 we are back Swansea.

This mornng I spoke to my Mum. You know sometimes when the only thing thats gonna make you feel better is your Mum. I'm really emotional. We talk about lots of things, Mum says she'll ring Hol and Dave. It means a lot to know she'll do anything to help.

10 mins later Mum texts to say Dave is on his way to A&E. My heart sinks. I phone Hol. They have decided to get Daves foot some medical advice and give him a couple of rest days. Its the best decision they could make.

So, BFUK isnt going to finish on Sunday - but we are all going to Lands End anyway. I'm going to take time off and take over Hol's duties driving the van until the trip is over. Australia suddenly seems very close. BFUK has been a big learning curve and a real warm up for Dave. Its a case of wait and see. I love my job but right now I dont want to be here.

Homesick - from the van.

I'm missing the team. I wish i was in the van. I had an awesome weekend in Swansea with Bev, and all my mates on Friday night, but I cant help but wish I was with Dave. He's had a few tough days - with the van playing up and a stress fracture in his foot - I can't help but feel i'm needed. i know hollabaloo (holly) is there - but it cant be easy for her either. Im just so proud of them both for getting this far. And I know they are going to make it to the end.

I phoned today to see what i could do to help. I organised the campsite, and im trying to organise the alpha male boys to skate with Dave near Taunton. I also hope to help out with some press between Edinburgh and Lancaster. So im not completely useless. Only 12 days til i can give Hol and Dave a big hug. Bring on the 12 days....

John O'Groats to Swansea in 24hrs...

After a well rested night in Wick with Neil and Mary, we got up early to drive the last 18 miles to John O'Groats... to find the van wouldn't start. We called out the AA, while Si and I bombed it up to JOG to meet the media - to find there wasn't any. Bad start. But it gave Dave one final chance to relax.

So, at 10am - 2 hours late, we all rock up to JOG to get Dave on the road. Excited, emotional, nervous and proud are just some of the words to describe how it felt. We had our first team hug. It meant a lot. Watching Dave set off, cheering him on - I had a lump in my throat. Hes come so so far over the last 8months.

So off he went - with a steady two mile up hill - nothing like starting tough. We all drove behind him - and stopped for a quick photo shoot. As he went a long we were right behind him or next to him - passing him water out of the side of the van, taking pics, getting some film. Dimitri fell out of the van while it was moving - hilarious. After 12 miles Dan, Si and myself had to leave. It was heart breaking. Leaving Dave for the first time on his own - it was hard to drive away.

24hours later, 3 countries, 750 miles and a night in manchester, i'm back in Swansea and gutted to be back in work. The only good thing about it is i can keep an eye on the web for updates of daves progress.

So he's on day three. I just had a text to say he's done his first 100 miles. Im so proud of him. James Cracknell has e-mailed him an awesome quote too. I miss him. I miss the van. I miss Si and Dan who i know feel like this too. I miss Hol and Dim - i know they're looking after Dave and getting it all on camera - but i wish I was there.

On that note - i'll keep you updated.
Much Love.
Beccles.
xx