Today’s final blog is brought exclusively to you by Suki.
Pay attention 007
Here is today’s briefing for your mission. But, you have no choice other than to accept it.
Ok then Mark, carry on telling the humans what they have to do today.
It’s going to be hilly again. Whatever Mark says I can tell that no one believes him. He’s told too many lies.
I know my master is trying to be helpful when he says things like: ‘we’re nearly there’ and ‘it’s just one more hill’. But we’ve heard it too many times!
Here are the facts.
Also… it’s Phil’s birthday.
🎶 Happy birthday to youuuu 🎶
I do hope there is going to be birthday cake. 🎂
You can skip the candles though…
YAWN. Dear Lord this is boring.
I have to tell you dear readers that I’m fed up with driving around the UK surrounded by cake that I’m not allowed to eat. It’s CRUELTY to labradors!
The only funny thing right now is Lucy’s face at the joyous thought of more hills.
What’s the matter with you humans? Surely you just run up hills.
At last, time to go.
I can hear Lucy howling.
I agree with Suzannah. The number of riders has gone down but the decibel level has gone up. It’s a good thing that some of my ancestors were gun dogs.
Support team are off too. They are very tired but still smiling. Well done team.
Bye bye Osmotherley.
Group Chromosome X-Y (no longer just lads) arrive first. Some are strangely dirty and I say lick it off.
There’s an anxious wait at the morning stop in Stockton on Tees. Lucy has had a “hypo”, which means her blood sugar is too low. She’s a diabetic and very brave.
I recommend eating cake 🍰🧁🍪
At last, they’re here.
No sooner are the cyclists gone and the support team is packing up again. Hey ladies I bet your muscles are stronger as a result of all these daily workouts. 💪
Look where they are…
Lovely views.
PEDAL PEDAL PEDAL
At Durham Cathedral Phil’s family are waiting to have a birthday picnic.
And Suzannah’s aunt is here with a special cake.
I think I should get a “well done” cake too for my blogging.
We’re all waiting for Lucy …again.
Dave leads the humans in a strange ritual of chanting and making shapes in the air.
I think you’re being a nice brother in law.
They spell L-U-C-Y and as if by magic we hear her …then we see her.
Mark and Martin bringing up the rear.
What’s this?
Let’s not waste precious food dear people.
I’m happy to clear up any remains.
Kate from Durham Cathedral is ever so nice to me. She says I can come home with her.
But she must have forgotten about that because she’s taking photographs of the team.
Then it’s time to go inside.
Our guide is the very nice Frances Proud.
I can tell Dave’s had too much cake.
Frances tells us that if the Normans came in a time machine they would feel right at home.
I’m not sure we’d want the Normans here right now. I’ve been told they are quite fierce.
We all like the beautiful medieval interior.
Dave shows us the name of one of his relatives who was a Dean: Tobias Matthew.
Saint Cuthbert is buried here and Durham is on the Pilgrimage trail. A bit like us.
Humans do some strange things, like building thrones for themselves high above the ground.
Sheila tells me that Durham is special for her because her daughter Rachel graduated here.
We all like Durham. However, it’s time to go again. Next stop is Newcastle. It’s the end of the trail.
Team pic coming into the Toon.
Posing at the Angel of the North. SPECTACULAR.
The support team and I are waiting excitedly at the Millennium Bridge, Gateshead side.
And then…
Time to pose. First here in Gateshead – the WHOLE TEAM ❤️
Did you spot that Ann Attwood has come to meet us? Look again if you didn’t see her.
The riders.
Then on the bridge with The Sage and Tyne Bridge as backdrop.
One of yours truly, for the album.
Then finally the victory pose in Newcastle.
That’s enough now team. Let’s go and celebrate.
CHEERS!
I’m strategically placed to capture anything falling on the floor.
Time to move on.
Bikes loaded up and ready to go home.
We did think it was mean to give us a ticket for our large vehicle being outside the lines of the parking bay, especially as the attendant had been told that we were a charity cycling group. 😢
One last thing. Dinner and awards.
The amazing Stephen and Ann are hosting the party. They are such a welcoming and generous couple to open up their home.
And funny too.
Stephen offered us spare ribs!!! (If you’re reading this and don’t know what that’s about then read the blog from Day 6)
Speeches and an individually engraved medal for everyone.
We’ve had a message from Tiffany: Andy has been wearing his medal ALL DAY.
This canine reporter is signing off now. But before I do I need to thank you for reading all our adventures and making donations. We really appreciate you! ❤️
We also want to thank our brilliant sponsors.
If you missed any of the crazy stories you can catch up on previous days HERE.
All donations are going towards the Toucan App to help thousands of couples and families. You can see how close we are to our target and also make donations HERE.
Bye for now. WOOF!