Cheese Omelette, Full English, Two Coffees - Land's End to John O'Groats by Bicycle

Day 20 - Helmsdale to John O'Groats

2010-06-21T12:54:00.000-07:00

Here at last - 1000 odd miles from the start, 3 weeks ago.

If you're wondering where the pointy bits of the signpost are, they're owned by a man called Pete who takes them home with him at night. If Pete isn't around, call him up – he only lives down the road apparently – and he’ll load up his car, come down with the signposts and charge you a tenner to have your photo taken. I'm not kidding, this is really how it works.

Anyway, we're here. But - we're getting ahead of ourselves: let's backpedal (*cough*) to the start of today...

* * * * *

Cycling into the clouds, early in the day:

The road behind us. That's the sea on the left and a llama farm (seriously) on the right:

Rosie invents the tupperware bar bag (note Co-Op Bacon crispies):

Disused Fuel Pumps of the Highlands (No.1)

Godawful old biddies' tearoom. Like stepping into a time vortex: Nescafe, toasties and Heinz soup:

Disused Fuel Pumps of the Highlands (No.2)

Pithy summary of the day's cycling conditions:

Disused Fuel Pumps of the Highlands (No.3)

Moorland grass – the only thing living up here, seemingly. 3 miles to go:

Our accommodation for the night:

Only kidding, although our actual hotel wasn't much better. The landscape up here is bleak and littered with abandoned farmhouses. It feels like you're cycling towards the ends of the earth, figuratively as well as literally.

Speeding into John O'Groats at last:

That’s about it! Thanks again for all the support, people :)

Some final snaps from the finish line...

Day 19 - Tain to Helmsdale

2010-06-21T12:53:00.000-07:00

Good weather? Check.
Short distance? Check – just 33 miles.
Flat landscape? Check.
Rosie’s back holding up well? Check.

Acting on a tip-off and with time to spare, we took a detour to the east coast beach town of Dornoch. But – as often happens, we were distracted by the lure of internet access - this time, a single scabby PC in the corner of the local Post Office...

Updating the blog, Dornoch-style (yes, that is a purple Scotland hat with the tags still on):

So – no time for Dornoch in the end, but no matter. The whole area seemed peppered with equally idyllic tourist towns and beaches...

Beach break, Golspie:

The day after tomorrow, we'll be coming back down this line – on metal wheels this time, and mercifully shielded from the wind:

Nearing the end now. Just the windswept, uphill drag to John O’Groats tomorrow...

Day 18 - Drumnadrochit to Tain

2010-06-19T15:16:00.000-07:00

A long, steep climb to start the day.

Note that Rosie has reprieved the dayglo volunteer's tabard. Aside from boosting our roadside visibility, this makes drivers – perhaps subconsciously thinking 'traffic warden' or other authority figure – give us a wide berth more generally.

The scenery changes quickly in Scotland. When we left Drumnadrochit an hour ago, there was nowt but dense pine forest and lush lochside greenery. Now, collapsing in a sweaty heap at the top of the hill, we looked around and saw... moorland:

Later, following a sign for 'Tea, Ice Cream, Toilets', we rolled up at an enormous cafe/gift shop with WiFi – and it's thanks to that happy discovery that you're reading this now. 3 hours later and a stone heavier, we rode into the evening for the last 20 miles...

Flat cycling for the rest of the day, taking in the towns of Alness, where the air smells of Weetabix, and Invergordon, where the town museum is fronted by huge murals depicting mad scenes of maritime drama (think Moby Dick, TinTin, Captain Pugwash).

Finally, a shortcut to Tain took us into uncharted but lovely territory – the ultra-quiet, forested Scottish B-road:

Day 17 - Fort William to Drumnadrochit

2010-06-19T15:03:00.000-07:00

More brownie points to cycle-friendly host Andrew for preparing a champion breakfast, including his wife's home-made mackerel paté. We even got oaty bars ('slow energy release, aye?!') for the ride.

A fine but strenuous day, beside and between the lochs...

More purple, Loch Lochy:

Miles of long, straight road, beside Loch Lochy:

And again:

Yellow:

Skanky hands update:

Fort Augustus, early evening:

Late arrival at our B+B meant a brisk power-walk down the road to meet the food deadline at the Loch Ness Inn. It was worth it: crunchy vegetables at last.

Day 16 - Oban to Fort William

2010-06-19T10:53:00.000-07:00

Excitement. We have our laptop back:

Big thanks to Wayne Ward of Lancaster Computers for fixing it and posting it on, and to Mrs Stewart (Glenview Guesthouse) for fetching it from the Post Office in Oban!

* * * * *

It rained from the start today but we didn’t mind – we're used to it now. That said, we were still glad to see this fantastic place loom out of the mist:

It's a cafe. It's a second-hand bookshop. The owner looks like Robin Williams. What's not to like? Anyway – I did the least sensible thing a supposedly weight-conscious cyclist can do, and bought a stack of hefty hardbacks. 'It's ok', I reasoned, 'I'll send these home when we get to Fort William...'.

Rain fell steadily through the afternoon. Witness the glamour of cycle-touring:

Rosie's back, also, was suffering badly again today. By the time we limped damply into Fort William, we were really ready to stop.

Luckily, the B+B owner was both a keen cyclist and a kind human being. Within minutes, our soaked clothes were in the washing machine and our water bottles in the dishwasher. He even stuffed our wet shoes with newspaper to dry them out...

Day 15 - Catacol to Oban

2010-06-19T10:28:00.000-07:00

Getting dressed in the morning. From 'What do I feel like wearing?' to 'What stinks the least?'. Sometimes you have to compromise – especially when there's no time for luxuries like laundry.

This, for example, is what's left of my socks:

One pair went feral and had to be binned; the others have all been lost en-route.

Anyway – we had to do the ferry hustle again today, and get out of our place by about 9:00. This kind of haste doesn't suit us; the upside, though, was that we got to see early morning for once. Early morning, on Arran anyway, was looking good:

The day was long and gruelling – 60 miles and over 3000ft of climbs. But it was also one of the most photogenic so far. With that in mind, I'll shut up and revert to photojournal mode for today...

Getting the ferry with dozens of other cyclists:

Back on the mainland - Rosie raids the Larder, Tarbet:

Al fresco, Tarbet:

The long, empty road behind us:

Loch Fyne lives up to its name:

In Ayrshire, buildings are big, solid and painted black + white. This looks fantastic against the green landscape:

The natural environment isn't bad either. This is a typical rocky path down to the lochside...

It's a long day for us though, and a stiff headwind all the way. Rosie was having the worst day so far, with back pain getting worse and sucking all the fun out of the journey. For the last 20 miles, we were making frequent stops to break out the mini-pharmacy of pain relief preparations we carry around with us: ibuprofen gel + tablets, deep heat, Indian muscle rub...

Much later than planned, we finally rolled into Oban, 'Gateway to the Isles'. Tonight: Chinese food for a change. Tomorrow: a prospective return to the online world when we – hopefully – pick up our fixed netbook.

Day 14 - Straiton to Catacol

2010-06-16T04:59:00.000-07:00

An early (for us) start was needed to make sure we made the afternoon ferry to Arran. Having a deadline took the edge off our usual relaxed approach a bit. Nonetheless, Scotland, as always, was fantastic cycling country...

There are signs to tell you when you're passing a place you would otherwise have missed. Here's one place:

...and here's another one:

Pots of houmous are placed around the countryside for tourists:

Even the beasts can count on getting a lift:

Our second full day in Scotland and still the contrast with the English part of our journey is apparent: no one-way systems, no unsigned minor roads, no noticeable rush hour; just us, the chatter of insects and birds, and the occasional roar of military jets on manoeuvres.

More photos...

Dead tree points the way:

Power:

Nature:

Public meeting for mutual sideburn admiration:

Ferry raising its snout:

From the deck (that's Arran on the horizon):

Stepping off the ferry on Arran, there's only one navigational choice to make:

East coast:

Struggling over the bleakest most windswept moorland imaginable, to get to the north coast, rest, food and sleep:

Our B+B tonight is in Catacol, on the north coast...

I haven't mentioned the crazy hours of daylight yet... Basically, this far north and at this time of year, it barely gets dark. The birds don't know what the hell is going on, and are tweeting past closing time. This is the view from our B+B's bar at 10:30:

That's all! More tomorrow...

Day 13 - Dumfries to Straiton

2010-06-16T04:31:00.000-07:00

We'd both been looking forward to this part of the trip, and Scotland didn't disappoint. By lunchtime, I had knackered a set of camera batteries in a futile attempt to cop the natural splendour.

So many ingredients for good cycling:

Wide open spaces...

Forest...

Plants and that...

Sun-dappled roads...

Meadows...

Blue sky...

Big lunch...

Rivers...

Cake...

Purple flowers (lots)...

S - I - L - E - N - C - E...

Chorus lines of inquisitive moo-coos...

Dry stone wall + early evening light...

I took this very poor quality video around the same time:

* * * * *

Also – Rosie humiliated a pony by distracting it with a handful of grass and covertly styling its barnet:

That's about it for today. All fed and watered in Straiton; early start tomorrow, to catch the afternoon ferry over to Arran. Should be a bleak, Caledonian cragfest – in a good way.

Day 12 - Ullswater to Dumfries

2010-06-15T09:39:00.000-07:00

Almost as soon as we got on the road, the savage hills of the Lake District began to soften into something a lot more cycle-friendly. Pretty soon we had straight, flat roads humming under our tyres, a powerful tailwind pushing us along at upwards of 20mph (non-cyclists – that's a lot).

This was the view in front of us:

...and this was the view behind us:

After the difficult, soggy struggle through the lakes, this freewheeling progress felt good. Here are some more pics...

Rosie improvises a Nature Hanky:

Here at last:

Famous creepy marriage place, Gretna:

Cheerily painted bus shelter, in the rain:

More tomorrow, when we get our first full day north of the border...

Day 11 - Capernwray to Ullswater

2010-06-15T09:29:00.000-07:00

Rain...

Gloom...

Heavy, heavy rain...

Weather hasn't been a problem so far – we have rain gear and it works. But – a deluge is no fun, bike or no bike. After an intense downpour – it was just like standing in the shower – we squelched into Windermere, found a restaurant and sat down, steaming. Staff looked on uncertainly as we peeled off our dripping gear and draped it around the soft furnishings...

This has to be the least fun moment of the trip so far. Getting cold when you stop cycling is a problem at the best of times; being wet as well is worse; having limited dry stuff to change into (Rosie's panniers are as waterproof as Andrex), worse still. Undeterred, we put on our least wet outfits and pressed on towards Ullswater...

Putting a brave face on it:

Luckily, the Lake District is famous for spectacular, rugged scenery as well as godawful weather. For us, heading north from Windermere, this meant Kirkstone pass – a long, loong, damp climb followed by a hilarious, screaming descent. It's as close as you can get to a rollercoaster ride on a bike.

The top of Kirkstone Pass...

...and the snaky descent on the other side:

In fact, here is a video of the descent that someone else (thanks cmprops) has made:

Finally, our destination – outside...

...and inside, covered in our skanky, wet gear:

Tomorrow - Scotland.

Day 10 - Eccleston to Capernwray

2010-06-15T09:27:00.000-07:00

Last night the netbook died. With all our photos and lots of draft blog posts potentially lost, this was disastrous. The mood last night was grim, therefore, as we shuffled to the pub – hence the lack of post about it at the time.

However...

Today's word is 'productive' and today's phrase is 'back on track'.

This morning, we located maybe the only Linux guy (we have a Linux laptop) in this part of the North-West, had a brief phone conversation and ferried our dead netbook to his Lancaster house in the rain.

On the phone to Wayne the computer man, Preston:

If you're reading this, he's managed to both fix it AND post it on to somewhere later in our journey. For now though, we can only wait and hope.

* * * * *

Aside from this drama, before we left our Eccleston hosts this morning, our brains had this unusual spectacle to process: feeding grapes who a tame white deer who wanders around the grounds. He's called Persil:

A damp and preoccupied day of cycling today, around Preston, Lancaster and beyond.

Relieved to have set the computer-fixing process in motion, we finally slumped gratefully over our pub dinner and Guinness at Capernwray (thanks to Roy for the lift).

Lake District tomorrow...

Day 9 - Cholmondeley to Eccleston

2010-06-15T08:31:00.000-07:00

The cycling today was rolling and calm: nothing spectacular; thankfully nothing challenging either. Here are some photos:

Cow love:

Crossing the Mersey (at least, I think it's the Mersey) at Acton Bridge:

Primitive farmyard robot man, near Wigan:

One of umpteen motorway crossings. Not the most exciting photo but sums up much of the day:

Just north of Wigan, an old fella leapt into the road and flagged us down wildly. 'Lands End to John O'Groats, aye?!', he enquired. It turns out that he had done the trip (solo) some years before and, spotting our panniers, saw his chance for a chin-wag with like-minded souls. Brilliant - it's chance encounters like that make the trip what it is...

Day 8 - Samford to Cholmondeley

2010-06-14T03:48:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Shropshire, land of funny signs. I especially like the first of these. You've got to watch those squaddies – they get over-excited and just dash out...

Today – on paper, at least – is by far our easiest day. We even slipped into casually referring to it as our 'rest day'. However, 25 miles is still 25 miles, complete with heat, traffic and sore thighs from the previous day. We still rolled up at the front gate tired and thankful.

Manor Farm is grand and down-to-earth all at once. There are impressive landscaped gardens all around but caravans, chickens and ducks out the back.

If you're the sort of person who laughs at ducks – and we are – you should chuckle at some Indian Runners. They have no arms/wings so rather than fly, get around in a high-speed Basil Fawlty walk.

These are different Indian Runners but you get the idea (with thanks to wiselywoven for the clip):

It's worth mentioning that we've had great B+B hosts all along the way. Today, the nearest pub (a swish gastro-joint in a converted schoolhouse) is 3 miles away. Host Jan not only dropped us off there for dinner but picked us up afterwards. Thanks Jan!

Between the B+B and the pub is a mad 'enchanted woodland' area – home to the purplest flowers in Christendom; also home to vicious moscos who fasten themselves thirstily to your shins the second you stop pedalling:

Finally, check out our calves – they're like baked hams.

That is all. Goodnight!

Day 7 - Worcester to Samford

2010-06-14T03:37:00.000-07:00

More heat, silence and shimmering tarmac. It's like being in a David Lynch movie.

On paper, this is the hardest day so far: 60 miles and over 2500ft of climbing. That said, the climbs were manageable and the weather sunny. Still, it was TOUGH. Rosie's back is giving her a bad time again, so regular rest stops were a must.

Although we're mostly on main roads again, there's no shortage of natural beauty to make you exclaim loudly - and with foul language - if you just peer over the hedgerow...

We are now looking like LEJoG cyclists: tanned, dirty, and with burned bicep skin flaking away by the hour. Bike shop staff now just nod knowingly at us: 'End-to-End? Thought so...'

If you look closely enough at this portrait of skank, you'll see traces of cappucino (2 sugars), 'death by chocolate' ice cream (2 scoops), sweat (lots), sun block (factor 50), and chain lube (teflon). Although you can't see it, there are also some dead flies stuck to my face. I could choose to wipe them away but I prefer to leave them there as a warning to other insects.

Now arrived at Samford - a tiny, well-heeled village in Shropshire. The B+B is grand (Samford Manor, no less), the pub friendly, with amazing food (thanks, Three Horseshoes) and the countryside well-groomed. We're just glad to be here at last.

Night night.

Day 6 - Bristol to Worcester

2010-06-14T03:28:00.000-07:00

What goes through your mind when you're cycling along A-roads all day? In my case, it's typically:

What's that ticking?
Is that ticking coming from my bike or Rosie's?
Is it time to have another flapjack yet?
I need a wee
Look at that astounding natural beauty (multi-coloured Cornish hedgerow/field of gently waving corn/deep blue, cloudless sky)
I wonder how many miles we've covered today
I wonder how many miles we have left to cover today
Why are my feet numb?
Should we take this intimidating A-road or risk getting lost on the minor roads again?
NOW is it time to have another flapjack?

Today's theme: history repeating. Once again, we decided to abandon our zigzag scenic route and instead take the busy A-road. Again also, there was a good reason for this. Rosie's bike was suffering mechanical niggles (shagged freehub mechanism, if you're interested), necessitating an early morning visit to the local bike store and eventually, an entire new rear wheel being bought and fitted.

So – another late start, another long, hot day (60 miles). The brutal climbs of the west country have given way to more gently rolling scenery although there's still plenty to make the fully-laden cycle-tourist weep. Despite the direct route, there's surprisingly little traffic. The overwhelming impression is of long, straight roads, powerful heat and just the chirruping of insects for company.

Tonight we're staying with my good friend, Lou. Her idiot dog, Pongo, is excited by the new company but simultaneously angered by my Harry Hill-looking glasses, for some reason.

BONUS POST – PLUG FOR FARESHARE!

2010-06-14T03:18:00.000-07:00

We didn't plan to include a dedicated plug for FareShare but there was something on the wall at the FS depot that explained the operation better then we ever could.

The basic story is that FareShare accept food discarded by supermarkets and the food industry, all of which would otherwise go to landfill, then distribute it to those in need – either directly or through other charities. So what kind of things end up in the FareShare depot, and why? Over to you, posters!

Day 5 - Taunton to Bristol

2010-06-14T03:08:00.000-07:00

Indecision to start the day. We had a scenic route to Bristol planned BUT still needed to be there by around 4 to visit the FareShare depot in Temple Meads. So the choice was – pedal fast and hope for the best, or abandon the route entirely and take the notorious but direct A38...

We went with the latter and set off late, as usual. True to its reputation, the A38 was truly grim in parts: awful road surface, lorries thundering past, lack of bike crossings at roundabouts. That said, it got us to Bristol quickly.

After one final huge, demoralising climb, we rolled down into the city only slightly late for our rendezvous.

Pete from FareShare had stayed on late to show us around and talk us through the charity's Bristol operation – and what an amazing operation it is. More about FareShare in our next post – for now, here's Pete showing us around (all those pallets on the top shelf are Tesco's 'Wheat Pillows')...

...and us striking the standard 'we're doing something charitable with bikes' pose again...

Waving goodbye to FareShare Pete, we headed through town and uphill to my Parents' place in Bradley Stoke.

It makes a big difference to see a friendly face en route. If the owner of that face is able to help you do your washing and sort your bike out, that's even better. Thanks, both, for all the help!

Day 4 - Okehampton to Taunton

2010-06-14T02:56:00.000-07:00

I'll say this for long-distance cycling: it renews your appreciation for old biddies' caffs. Jacket potatoes, soup, scones, weak tea – this is the good stuff when you're on the bike all day.

When we got up this morning, it was raining hard. Having discarded her useless overshoes in disgust, Rosie improvised this homemade sock weatherproofing:

Leaving the B&B, as if on cue, the rain stopped for good. Today, thankfully, was long on miles but short on trauma. Proper food, smaller hills, almost superhuman thigh strength starting to stir in our respective pins; lots of short stops and long drinks. A period of despair when we got lost among the unsigned backroads (again) was compensated by a brisk, wind-assisted final 10 mile sweep into Taunton. Oo-ar.

Tonight we're in a bland 90s-decorated business hotel on the main road. It feels weird. Despite its size, Taunton has only two places you can eat after 9pm; we went for the Indian option and retired late, thoughts of the next day's ride already tickling our worry glands.

Day 3: Camelford to Okehampton

2010-05-31T15:18:00.000-07:00

Today was lots better than yesterday: just as hilly but shorter, simpler and more direct. Rather than say more, I thought today's post could be in photojournal style for a change...

1. Running into Phil and Fiona by chance, near Hallworthy:

2. Bovine curiosity:

3. Horse love:

4. Horse mistrust:

5. Feeling odd: flats, Launceston:

6. Lunch, Co-Op, Launceston:

7. Sad doorway, Launceston:

8. Rosie stares at Devon in disbelief:

9. Straddling the border like a colossus:

10. Roadside leg stretches:

11. Evidence of earlier cyclists:

12. Roadside yoga:

13. Finally, spare a thought for the nervous Yorkies of Okehampton:

14. Bed now...

Day 2: St. Agnes to Camelford

2010-05-31T14:07:00.000-07:00

A hard day.

It rained. We took some wrong turns and ended up riding 10 miles more than we needed to. Our legs are now jelly. Also, Rosie's digestion has been suffering from a weird and unsatisfactory cyclists' diet of nuts, bananas and raisins.

Cornwall's famous hilliness is still a shock, seen from the saddle: the terrain was like Alan Sugar's forehead. Tomorrow, at least, should be (a bit) easier.

On the positive side, we've just had an amazing Indian in Camelford – Gurkha Restaurant, the place is called (Nottingham people, the waiter used to work in the Chand on Mansfield Road!). It's a mad North/South/Nepali mix but it works.

Right. Exhaustion. Bed. More tomorrow...

Day 1: Land's End to St. Agnes

2010-05-29T14:35:00.000-07:00

Finally on our way and it feels GOOD. Once again, thanks to lots of people for their support: moral, practical and financial.

In bullet form, the day went like this:

Departure
Rain
Mist
Heavy rain, leaking overshoes
Despair
Recovery
Good steady ride to Hayle via St. Ives
Pasties with friends in Hayle
On to St. Agnes via backache, vomit and wrong turns
Check in; relief
Great, relaxing meal in village
Watching (now) 'Mind of the Stalker', in a half-arsed way, in our B+B room

Some photos...

St.Ives:

Hayle folk:

Rosie's modified volunteer's tabard:

Massive thanks to Bex and Shoes for looking after us so well in Hayle last night, and for ferrying us to the start line today. Thanks also for all the encouragement from Hayle people when we passed through on the way to St. Agnes today, and to Horrors for publicising the ride at work.

It's late (well, 10:00), we're tired and have the promise of a fantastic breakfast tomorrow as an extra incentive – if any were needed – to get some kip right now.

Same time tomorrow? Good. x

Packing panic; charging the GORP tank

2010-05-27T16:30:00.000-07:00

Today is our last day in Notts for a while. As I speak, we're packing our panniers and staring in horror at the volume of gear we're apparently planning to haul the length of the country. We had planned to do a 'test pack' weeks ago, but, you know...

Tomorrow morning: early start; radical rethink and repack; tidy up and vamoose.

Also ritually mixing up a tub of GORP ('Good Old Raisins & Peanuts' - add M&Ms for an exotic twist). Horrible really, but energy-dense at least. We'll be glad of this when we're weeping beside our twentienth Cornish hillside.

The ride proper starts Saturday morning. Watch this space...

Sunburn and last-minute nerves

2010-05-24T13:50:00.000-07:00

The first hot day of the year.

In true British style, we took sun block out with us but only put it on once we were already burnt. That'll learn us - for a while anyway.

We are also getting the heebee-geebees about the scale of what we're about to do. I think we're pretty well-organised and prepared but it's daunting all the same. I think we'll be glad to finally get on the road - the seemingly endless planning, tweaking and preparation are driving us both insane.

Huge thanks to everyone who's given their support - moral as well as financial - to the ride, and to our chosen charities: it is truly appreciated.

If you'd like to sponsor us, the links are over there, on the right --->

Thanks!

Breakfast of champions + lugging luggage in Notts

2010-05-16T12:28:00.000-07:00

The Rosie bike-training breakfast: 1 - a glass of water; 2 - a handful of vitamin and mineral supplements; 3 - a bowl of fruit floating in some unholy enzime broth, underneath which I am assured is regular porridge.

Serious food, serious training. This weekend we went on longer rides (40-50 miles) and took luggage with us, just to make sure it could be done. It was hard, but not too hard. Starving, we pulled our usual stunt of arriving at Sunday cafes 10 minutes after they stop serving, and at supermarkets 10 minutes after they close.

Nottinghamshire countryside was looking good though. Being out of the city was weird and refreshing.

Thanks to everyone who's sponsored us so far!
If you haven't yet (*hint*), the links are on the right --->

Training...when?

2010-05-14T01:09:00.000-07:00

It's becoming harder and harder to fit training in around real life. The short runs aren't a challenge anymore but we don't have time for longer rides.

I've taken some days off work so we can get a few long rides in before we go. In the meantime, it's back to the usual evening circuit...

Howdy!

2010-05-05T14:36:00.001-07:00

We leave in 3 weeks (28th May) and everything is almost ready to go. Travel and accommodation is booked so the focus right now is TRAINING.

Training = ... 100-mile sportives? Energy bars? Conversations about carbon weave and gain ratios? Not really. Our routine is basically...

Evening rides to Holme Pierrepont (National Watersports Centre) - about 15 miles...

...and feeding Co-Op Multi-Seeded Batch Loaf to the geese at Gunthorpe Lock - about 20 miles.

PLEASE SPONSOR US!

We are raising money for CRISIS and FARESHARE respectively - all details are on the right --->

Thanks to everyone who's supported the ride so far. Special thanks to Freewheel (Goosegate, Nottingham NG1) for all the help and advice.