Delighted to receive this wonderful message from Keith Wilson at Naomi House yesterday. Please take a few moments to watch it and understand how the money you are helping us to raise is being spent to help the children. You can find out more about Naomi House and Jack's place on their website: http://www.naomihouse.org.uk/ This means so much Keith. Thank you for your kind words. Dave & Lotte

Not long after Emma died, I remember asking my friend Julia how long I could expect to feel like this. Julia lost her brother Mark in a motorbike accident over 20 years ago. She told me that everyone is different but that it doesn't ever really 'end', it just gets easier. You might accept it and come to terms with it but it's not something that ever leaves you. Julia still has her moments when she remembers her brother Mark. His birthday and the anniverary of his death a

Good evening all! Have just spent the last two days resting and catching my breath at Lake Iseo after 14 days of cycling. Have stopped short of Milan just to the North East and am hesitant to go any further South due to the unforgiving metropolis and busy main roads of Milan. To the North I am aware of the steep mountain roads so will try and delay that little delight for a week or so. I have pretty much planned my route now and intend to hit the Alps shortly after Turin .

Yesterday was Charlie's last day with us so day 13 of cycling was dedicated to Charlie's Dad, Colin John Hazeldine. I met Colin on a number of occasions as a neighbour and I particularly remember sharing a glass of 30 year old whisky with him at Emma's 30th birthday party. He was an unassuming guy and the more I talked to Charlie this week I was amazed at Colin's achievements in life. As well as serving as an Engineering Officer in the Royal Navy on the old Steam driven Ark R

Today is Charlie's last day with us. He's been great company and a valuable member of the team, so we're sorry to see him go. Today's ride to Lake Garda is dedicated to Charlie's father Colin John Hazeldine who passed away in 2011. Colin was an Engineering Officer in the Royal Navy who served on the old steam drive Ark Royal. An avid sailor and Ocean Yacht Master, he loved to sail and crossed the Atlantic on seven return trips! We salute you sir. You did a fine job as a

Today's cycle is dedicated to Thomas Roberts. Thomas was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer just before his second birthday and is the son of friends of mine - Wyn, and his wife Charlotte. They lost their beautiful baby boy Thomas back in 2013. I only met Thomas once, when he was just a baby. Emma and I were at a dinner party with our mutual friends Dermot and Lucy. Although Thomas was asleep most of the time, it was obvious that Wyn and Charlotte doted on their son and

I'm not sure we'd fit the tandem onto a gondola anyway! Natalie and Jim joined us from Scotland at the weekend and have already proved their worth. On arrival Natalie washed Charlie's clothes and Jim knocked out a five star breakfast with only one pan! Years in the RAF must have taught him the skills and his culinary timing is on par with any top chef. Another plus about Jim is the fact that he is a gadget man just like myself. We've spotted a few on our journey so far inclu

After seven days of 6-7 hours a day cycling up hilly terrain my legs were suffering so we parked up near Durino, close to Venice yesterday and had a day of rest. Towards the end of the day I heard another voice in the mountains. A lady called Sharon sent me a message of support along with her donation and was kind enough to share her experience of climbing mountains, or using her own metaphor volcanos. I would like to dedicate today's cycle to Natasha Bromhead. Natasha

I dedicated yesterday's cycle and blog to my sister in law Tracy's mother - Emily Elizabeth Smith who died earlier this year. I hope Tracy won't mind me sharing a little more of her story with you. Tracy is the youngest daughter of a large family and absolutely doted on her Mum. As a casual observer I could see how close Tracy was to her Mum. She cared deeply for her and was always there for her right up to the very end. Tracy sent me this message Friday night "Trying t

No one can really explain the feelings of bereavement. To truly understand the process of grief, you must experience it yourself. Sometimes metaphors can give us a glimpse of the experience and provide insight to others about how we are feeling. In her beautiful blog recently, Imogen, who lost her baby son Conor, describes the metaphor she heard about grieving being like a boat on the ocean without a mooring. Some have compared grief to a labyrinth. A labyrinth is not a maze