Last week We hit the river Loire last Saturday at a town called Digoin and followed the sweeping paths alongside its banks for three days before we finally parted company. The river turns majestically to the west towards Nantes before splaying into the Atlantic Ocean. For me, I continued homeward bound to the north west towards Caen. The Loire was a great guide for me and a refreshing change of scenery as opposed to the mundanity of busy roads and traffic. The wildlife is imm

Todays’ cycle is dedicated to all the brave soldiers who fought for our freedom and lost their lives on the beaches at Normandy. Today we had just 33 miles to finish our cycle to Caen so Charlie, Lotte and I decided to visit these beaches. As a nod to my American colleagues and followers (and also because it's the 70th anniversary of VJ Day), we visited Omaha Beach and planted some daisy seeds at Pegasus Bridge. This is a photo Charlie took of the sky after we visited the b

One of the people who has played a huge part in helping me along the journey of bereavement is Marion, my CRUSE counsellor. I am very grateful to her for everything she has done so far. Quite symbolically, Marion will be cycling alongside me on the final leg home from Portsmouth to Alton. CRUSE do a fantastic job but rely heavily on charitable donations. We asked Marion to answer a few questions to explain all about the invaluable work that CRUSE do ... How long have you

Todays’ cycle is dedicated to my Aunty Dee Dee Paige - 7th February 1947 to 2nd November 2011 Dee was one of nine children – she had five brothers and three sisters. A fun aunt and a loving mum to her five girls – Karen, Janice, Michelle, Donna and Tracy, she also had 17 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren (so far) Dee worked as a carer for old people and those with mental health issues. She was always there for her girls who have many happy memories of her. “She use

Todays’ cycle is dedicated to Janet Georgina Cameron who died on 26th November 2014. Janet’s partner Ian Campbell, one of Charlie’s oldest friends describes her as “the most positive generous happy person I've ever had the pleasure to be with” Just two days before she passed away her son Russell and his wife Lorraine welcomed their baby daughter Grace into the world. This picture shows a beaming Janet with her brand new baby grand-daughter Grace - just 2 hours old in this

Since losing Emma, the friend who has brought me the most comfort, who has lifted my spirits in my darkest and loneliest hours and who instinctively knows the right way to behave is my beloved Lotte. Emma loved her as dearly as I do and I don't doubt that Lotte feels the pain of the loss of Emma too. She has been an invaluable support to me and I hope I have for her too. A wonderful companion, Lotte is attentive and loving, instinctively sensing when I need company, and will

At the start of this week I was joined by my good friend Dermot Downey who spent Tuesday cycling with me – through torrential rain and thunderstorms! Dermot was there for me in Croatia at the start of my journey, joined me in the middle this week and will be there with his family at the finish line on Saturday 17th October in Alton. Dermot's been there for me a lot over the many years I’ve known him. My 'wingman' - we met in extraordinary circumstances, have flown together

We passed La Doua French National Cemetary in Villeurbanne near Lyon and came across this memorial so today’s cycle is dedicated to the memory of these two brave pilots. “It emerged from the shadow of our night” On 6th August 1944 a De Havilland Mosquito Twin Prop PR XVI, No. NS 504 from 544 Reconnaissance Squadron from RAF Benson in England was shot down in these parts. Flight Lieutenant John Stanley Jack Towsey, pilot, age 29 Flight Officer Richard John Kingham, navigator,

My last update I was resting just North West of Milan. I have pedalled over 400 miles since and finally conquered the Alps last Thursday and Friday. My twin sister Diggy and my Dad (Mick) have been and gone and I am currently resting 15 Miles East of Grenoble. My legs feel like they have been hit with a sledgehammer from cycling the two passes that took me over the Alps. My climb officially started at a town called Cesena-Torinese just west of Susa at an altitude of 1358

To Dave, Lotte and all his wonderful supporters… Everyone at the Starlight office just wanted to send you all a HUGE thank you for your support! We are so incredibly grateful to be a part of your journey, and to be one of the charities benefiting from this beautiful and everlasting tribute to the inspirational Emma. All of us here are cheering Dave on along the way, and have been following his progress on Twitter where he is raising such fantastic awareness for Starlight and