The Farrow’s 2003 family holiday with Monica, Colin and David saw the intrepid trio pedal the scenic route from Lands End to John O’Groats.

The plan to undertake this epic 1,084 mile journey in just 3 weeks grew out of various other family cycling expeditions including a trip to Orkney and one to Norway.

Prior planning was essential if trunk roads were to be avoided and this involved assembling the range of OS maps, gleaning them from various sources. However carrying many large maps on the trip would be impossible and the option of cutting them up was unthinkable, so a CD rom seemed the only solution. A set of A4 map pages for the entire route was meticulously compiled by Monica. Each page could then be double-sided and organised in careful sequence for the entire journey. There was a daily poly-pocket ritual to protect the sheet from rain.

There were three possible ways to plan the route. One was via Youth Hostels, but since these were often a 70 mile distance apart this was impractical. There were routes on major roads which were not an enticing option or there was the preferred option of quiet roads.

The route went via the Lizard peninsula, took in Exmoor, through Somerset, over the Mendips to Bristol, up the Welsh border, through Cheshire, winding through "pools of tranquillity" between Liverpool and Manchester. It then went via the forgotten villages of Yorkshire, over the A9 cycle route to the Black Isle, Bettyhill and JohnO’Groats.

The journey began on 17^th July 2003, 107 years after the expedition by Fraser, Lunn and Lowe and in the company of the other 1000 or so people who attempt the route annually. The trio decided to take a severely limited wardrobe which included one spare Tee shirt each and one change for non cycling action. Other gear included 2 tents, 1 stove, 1 plate each and 1 set of cutlery.

The trip began ominously with bees in helmets and David feeling unwell. It seemed to take forever to leave Cornwall which also proved to be remarkably hilly. A ferry ride from Falmouth shortened the route but involved taking all the panniers off the bikes. Campsites were variable from luxury in Cornwall, fields elsewhere and the excuse that there was no alternative to the holiday park with Bingo, disco, bar and talent spotting! However since the Farrows were the sole campers, the bar was empty and the entertainment cancelled.

There were detours to take in sights such as the Eden project last visited by Colin when it was a Quarry. Ironbridge, Clifton, Withypool duck race, Cheddar Gorge, Symond’s Yat, Anderton boat lift, White Scar and Innerleithen Print Works to name a few highlights.

Eating and drinking featured high on the holiday agenda too. Mention was made of Cornish pasties, clotted cream teas, fish suppers, pub grub and emptying entire contents of campsite shops! Since none of the trio appeared to have gained an ounce of weight, their energy expenditure was obviously enormous.

There was also the chance to visit fellow Glenmorons en route, with the Reids producing sustenance, encouragement and guidance through the complexity of Cheshire lanes. Son Simon provided hospitality in Edinburgh although he was less inclined to join in much of the cycling.

The route north went well and the trail up to Slochd summit at 1,328 feet was reported as barely noticeable uphill. However on reaching the section from Boat of Garten the weather began to swelter and the route became as hot as "Death Valley".

Dancing dolphins greeted the cyclists on their arrival at Fortrose, but unfortunately the Cromarty ferry was less obliging and refused to sail for no apparent reason. This meant retracing the road into a head wind and having to go onto the main A9 to cross the Cromarty Firth.

At Lairg campsite every midge in Scotland had heard of the arrival of a possible free meal and wasted no time in attacking the short- trousered legs.

From Lairg to Bettyhill a route of unending tedium over the desert of peat hags at last led to the top of Scotland and the target in sight at Dunnet Head.

There were enough Post Office and Gnome Centre stamps on the official form to prove beyond doubt that all pit stops had been passed. This entitles the cyclist to a certificate and to be able to wear the tee shirt.

The Farrows had completed another epic holiday journey. Monica even hinted at the possibility of a repetition! The sequel will be eagerly awaited.

Alice Mitchell.

Back to Logbook Contents Page