The beautiful Champagne regionHi all,

Two weeks completed already!The first leg of the journey started on the wild Isle of Arran with constant views of the ocean and impressive cloud formations. The 20 percent gradient hills were a challenge but the gorgeous views, the sun and Arran ale made it all worthwhile.

Back on the mainland the wind, rain and grey kicked in as we approached Glasgow...typical!  But traveling on over Duke's Pass into the Highlands the sun shone and we felt on top of the world. Dropping down towards Fife we found some amazing cycle paths and rolling countryside and sun six days later.

Then an 18 hour ferry took us to Belgium and on to the second leg of our ride. The flat landscape made a welcome change and the gorgeous towns flashed by as headway. It was amazing to see cyclists everwhere; the towns were just teeming with folk biking around.

Into the south the countryside became more rolling and we followed the Meuse Valley into France with tree topped mountains on either side. We are now in the Champagne region and stayed for a short whiles in Reims to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and to sample the local "champage" (for us, knockoff fizzy wine :-)

Loving every minute!!! Keep up the pledges!

Helena & Mike