News – The Labrador Lifeline Trust

Posted on 18th October, 202118th October, 2021 by Anne

Day 48 : Pevensey Bay to home – Final Day (92.6 miles)

“Day 48 complete – can’t believe it’s the last day.”

Matt cycled 92.6 miles, 797m climbing, 6hrs 3mins. He cycled from Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne, Seaford, Newhaven, Brighton, Worthing, Bognor, Fishbourne, Havant then around Hayling Island

“First time in over 4000 miles he nearly got knocked off his bike by an impatient driver”

Then to Farlington and up Farlington Hill and home. Another dry day with a bit of a wind.

He arrived home at 3.45pm.

Steve and I drove along the A27 and visited some friends in Rustington then took George for a walk at Langstone Harbour before going round to Matt’s to welcome him home.

Tasha had put banners up on his house.

Just been out for a meal with Matt, Tasha, Shane, Josh and Kayla to celebrate his homecoming.

TOTALS – 4,084.25 miles
61,391 metres climbing
around 270 hours cycling

Posted on 17th October, 202117th October, 2021 by Anne

Day 47 : Battlesbridge to Whitstable (111.2 miles)

Day 47 complete – 111.2 miles, 970m climbing, 7.5 hours.

Left Whitstable and cycled to Margate, Ramsgate, Sandwich, Deal, Dover, Folkestone, Dungeness, Rye, Hastings and then on to the Pevensey Bay Cannon Campsite.

Dry and cloudy with occasional sun and a cross headwind for most of the day.

Steve and I did virtually the same route although we skirted most of the towns.

We went into Rye and had a walk across the salt marshes out to the beach.

“The tide was too far out for George to swim!”

We went out for a meal at the Harvester at The Waterfront, Sovereign Harbour tonight – a bit like Gunwharf with a harbour, shops and restaurants.

“LAST DAY TOMORROW 🖒“

Posted on 17th October, 2021 by Anne

Day 46 : Battlesbridge to Whitstable (103.1 miles)

Day 46 complete – 103.1 miles, 1160m climbing. Matt left Battlesbridge at 8.45 and cycled to Ashingdon, Westcliff-on-Sea, South Benfleet, Dunton Wayletts, Upminster …

then down to Woolwich where he caught the ferry across the Thames which took about 10 mins and was free.

He then cycled along the Thames path to Erith, through Dartford, past Gravesend and down to Rochester, through Chatham, Upchurch, Howt Green, Bapchild, Faversham, past Graveney, Seasalter and on to Primrose Cottage campsite at Whitstable.

Took about 7 hrs today as the traffic was really bad and the road surfaces awful in places but it was dry with cloud and some sun and not too windy.

Steve and I drove along the A130, A13, M25 over the Queen Elizabeth bridge at Dartford then joined the M2, A2 and A299 arriving nice and early today.

Posted on 15th October, 202115th October, 2021 by Anne

Day 45 : Saxmundham to Battlesbridge (98.2 miles)

As REO Speedwagon sang “Back on The Road Again” 😎😎😎

Day 45 complete – a dry and sunny day but with a head wind for the majority of the day. 98.2 miles, 829m climbing.

Matt left Saxmundham campsite and cycled through Saxmundham town then on to Melton, Woodbridge, Trimby St Martin and down to the Felixstowe ferry at Languard Fort. He caught the 11.30 ferry which took 15 mins and cost £6.

From Harwich he cycled to Great Oakley round to Holland-on-Sea, Clacton-on-Sea, Alresford, outskirts of Colchester through Old Heath, to Peldon, Goldhanger, Maldon then round to Battlesbridge campsite…..

…. situated in a field at the far end of the antique centre – only people here apart from the security guard who lives on site.

Steve and I drove along the A12 and A130 to Southend where we met friends on the seafront and had lunch in a restaurant called Rossi’s.

Posted on 15th October, 202115th October, 2021 by Anne

Day 44 : Rest Day Saxmundham (0 miles)

“REST DAY! “

Lie in today which was nice, leisurely cooked breakfast then did a walk around the farm opposite where Steve grew up.

We went and put some flowers on his Mum and Dad’s grave then drove over to Easton and spent a few hours with friends who we haven’t seen since before lockdown.

We then drove over to Aldeburgh and had a walk along the beach so George could have a swim …

…and walked back through the town. Weather was dry with sun and cloud.

Posted on 15th October, 202115th October, 2021 by Anne

Day 43 : Sandringham to Saxmundham (126.3 miles)

Day 43 complete – 126.3 miles, 1430m climbing, 7hrs 50mins. A bit longer today so we could stay in Saxmundham and visit family and friends as Matt is having a rest day tomorrow.

A sunny start but lots of heavy showers along the way. Cycled from Sandringham to Ringstead, Brancaster, Burnham Market, Wells-next-the sea, Binham Priory, Cromer down to Great Yarmouth, Leiston, Minsmere down to the Lonely Farm campsite at Saxmundham.

Steve and I drove to Wells-next-the sea. We’ve visited a few times from Walsingham but never had time to walk right along the footpath to the sea but yay we made it today.

Unfortunately not enough time to get the steam train to Walsingham. We then drove on to Blakeney where Steve’s parents used to love going on holiday.

Met Steve’s brother-in-law John, partner Wendy and Wendy’s Dad Fred for a very nice meal in a local pub tonight – lovely to catch up with them.

Posted on 12th October, 202112th October, 2021 by Anne

Day 42 : Cleethorpes to Sandringham (107.5 miles)

“It’s Steve’s birthday today – certainly a different one!!”

STEVE .. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY From ALL at The Labrador Lifeline Trust”

“Hope you enjoyed that cake 😁”

Day 42 complete – A cold start but turned into a lovely sunny day – what a difference it makes when the weather is nice.

Matt cycled 107.5 miles with 285m climbing (lowest to date by a long way!).

He cycled from Grimsby down to Woodthorp, Sloothby, skirted Skegness, past Wainfleet All Saints and down to Wrangle, Bennington, Austin, down to Fosdyke Bridge round to Chapelgate, Sutton Bridge, King’s Lynn, South Wooton and on to Sandringham Estate campsite taking 6hrs 30mins.

Steve and I drove to King’s Lynn and walked around the historic old town and down to the waterfront for lunch to celebrate

“Steve’s birthday.”

Posted on 12th October, 202112th October, 2021 by Anne

Day 41 : Tranmire, nr Whitby to Cleethorpes (113.1 miles)

Day 41 complete – 113.1 miles, 1421m climbing, 7hrs 20mins. Cold start this morning but then sunny but with a tail wind.

Left the campsite at Tranmire and cycled to Whitby, Hawsker, A171 to Suffield, past Scarborough to Osgodbly down to Foketon, Reighton, Burton Agness and then zig zagged his way to Beverley …..

….over the Humber Bridge to Stallingborough, through Grimsby to Cleethorpes to the Haven Thorpe Park campsite.

Steve and I drove to Whitby and had a walk around – a lovely place and then on to Scarborough – both places amazingly busy for Oct but it was a sunny Sunday.

Posted on 10th October, 202110th October, 2021 by Anne

Day 40 : Dunstan near Craster to Tranmire, 10 miles from Whitby (110.4 .miles)

Day 40 complete – 110.4 miles, 1780m climbing. Dry, sunny and warm to start but cloudy later.

Left Dunstan and cycled to Longhoughton, Hipsburn, Amble, Widdrington then Widdrington Station and on to Morpeth.

Then cycled to Newcastle across the Tyne Bridge and past St James’ Park and on to Nevilles Cross, Ferryhill, Bradbury, Elton, Yarm, Battersby, Castleton, Stonegate and on to Folly Hall Farm, Tranmire situated on the Yorkshire moors 10 miles from Whitby.

Lovely farm with only us here until late evening when 2 more vans arrived.

Steve and I love Northumberland so wish we had longer but we went to Craster and walked some of the way to Dunstanburgh Castle then drove on to Seahouses and had a walk round before driving to Tranmire.