O…M….G….it’s actually here!!!

It seems to have been absolutely forever ago when we first started talking about cycling from London to Rome (and given my near constant going on about it I am sure it feels like that to everyone who knows us!) but now it’s here. Tomorrow morning I will finally be cocking my old, achey and let’s face it slightly overweight leg, over the cross bar of the most severely overloaded bike you have ever seen and then heading off into the exhausting, painful and very doubtful pleasures of two weeks in the saddle and a tent. What on earth am I thinking?

If you’re idea of an enjoyable leisure activity is reading about three idiots doing an idiotic challenge with some added pummelling of fleshy bits and occasional mild vomiting thrown in for good measure then this is very much going to be the blog for you.

Anyway, before all of that there is the small matter of packing (or as I like to think of it “squishing up the enormous pile of must have stuff until it actually fits) and of course the pre event themed shenanigans. For this evenings dining pleasure we will of course be partaking in Italians finest culinary delights (no I actually cooked, and anyway I’m not keen on Dominoes delivery!) in an authentically (partially authentic, actually not really even partially….I have some flags) Italian atmosphere.

About 3 hours before he is supposed to be standing on my front doorstep ready to go Dan sends me a rather unhelpful picture of his bike…in bits! I can’t help thinking that it won’t be the only time we see it like that over the coming couple of weeks.

The evenings entertainment comes courtesy of a medley of classic Italian songs (quando, quando, quando anyone) and the world premiere (in this house) of the classic Michael Caine crime caper…yes you guessed it!

Packing proper has now happened but it’s no less scary looking.

Final thought for this entry….we received a really lovely email and a card (I know…proper old school) from Winston’s Wish today and I have copied a section of it below. Everything we have achieved is down to you dear reader so let me say it again, thank you so so much…you are all amazing!

“HUGE Congratulations on absolutely smashing your fundraising target. We really can’t thank you enough for your continued support. The amount you have raised is enough to fund our FREE National helpline for over 2 weeks. This is the gateway to our services and often the first step in getting the vital support needed to help children understand and cope with their grief. In 2017/18, we received on average 112 calls per week to our helpline so you can appreciate how many families will be helped as a result of your hard work and commitment to our cause. Hopefully this will help spur you on when the legs muscles start screaming and the saddle sore kicks in!! “

Thanks Kerry….it will!