Hi guys, I'm still alive (although I shouldn't joke too much about how important that statement is right now - eek!) So, 4 countries down (Yes Dad, 5 if you include Cornwall!) and 2 weeks gone and I'm about to move across to the home run. What adventures has Frankie been up to recently then? Well, apart from a fair bit of cycling, I've mostly been enjoying the wonderful hospitality of the Irish thanks to all the contacts Fran has put me in touch with. Day 11, Wednesday 13th August: Lawrenny - Pembroke - Rosslaire - Wexford First leg: 13.53 miles, average speed 10.1mph, 1 hour 20 minutes Second leg: 15.06 miles, average speed 12.8mph(!), 1hour 10 minutes Very glad to leave Wales and the horrid weather behind me in Pembroke. The ferry was pretty shaky, ... read more

Well, I was in Bath. Now I'm back home feeling a bit sorry for myself. Today started off well but has rapidly gone downhill as my stomach started acting more like a rollercoaster than the hills I was riding along - I'm sure that's enough detail for you all!! Luckily for me I'd already planned to meet the parents for lunch so they took pity on me and convinced me a night at home wan't cheating and would make me feel much better. So bless him, my poor hardworking Papa will be up at the crack of dawn again tomorrow to take me back to the exact point I gave up today and I'll be back peddalling away again! Day 5, Thursday 7th August: Tiverton to Pilton The rest of yesterday went well, although was very ... read more

Hello from Okehampton! So I have survived my first three days on the roads and cycle paths of Cornwall and Devon. Onto my second county as well as my second set of brake pads thanks to the rollercoaster hills and wet weather. Stayed in two lovely YHAs, but nothing compares to the luxury of Meadowlea B&B where I am currently - showered, fed with biscuits, my washing being done for me and free use of their laptop and internet, what luxury! I'm sure you'll all be pleased to know I've not encountered too many mishaps and am actually vaguely enjoying myself now I've got this far. For any of you sponsoring me by the mile, ha ha you owe Bulungula at least another 10-20p because I've been getting myself a little bit lost occassionally! I'll do ... read more

***Route updated - unless something drastic goes wrong this'll be where I am and when for the next few weeks!*** After many hours spent staring at maps I have half an idea which way I'll be going on this ridiculous bike ride of mine. The main news is I'll be heading from South to North and leaving first week in August, for anyone who wants to come along for a ride for an hour/day or two. Supposedly the prevailing SW winds make up for the psychological uphill thoughts when you go in this direction, although knowing my luck with the wind it'll be a freak NE the whole way!! The other big announcement is that I am definitely going to go via Ireland! Before anyone makes any funny comments, yes, I do realise I've gone a ... read more

...massage it! Well that's the idea apparently. When I tried it I ended up running circles in the sand, clutching onto 70kg of Loggerhead turtle that was keen to get back to the sea! I've done 2 night surveys now and they are amazing, even if they do completely shatter you for the next few days. Seeing a turtle laying her eggs is one of the most magical sights I have ever witnessed. I never realised how agile they are. These prehistoric armoured beasts can move their flippers like hands, scooping up sand to dig a deep hole into the sand. Then they lower themselves down and go into a trance as they drop over one hundred perfectly round, shiny, white eggs into the nest. We use ping pong balls in our nest models and they ... read more