Day 8 Bromsgrove to Crewe

Thanks to the great lads at Redditch Fire station who provided great hospitality we were off to Bromsgrove to collect our bikes (get well Simon Hawkins who is recovering from Meningitus). To our big surprise Chris Harris (the red head young fella from the first leg, who incidently doesn't like being called Chris Harris) arrived with a mercy dash of red buckets for the collections. He was mobbed and hugged, he so wanted to join the rest of the trip (serious bonding going on!!). Owen had suggested a steady pace and instantly rattled through the gears at a hell of a pace! Lance on the good advice of Jonny Laight (our massage person!) stayed in the car and provided great company for Pete Savage, who said he has not laughed as much for some time (my little bro is a joker!). Mike Brooker and Winge (Ian Winnan who managed to wash the paper plates at tea time) were providing great van support from the eager cars who wanted to cut us up on the A roads. Lunch was just above Telford (43 miles of crap road surface) and brilliantly provided by Shell and Rosie (as always!). We met a couple who pulled into the lay by on their bikes, who were cycling from John O'Groats to Lands End, their names are Kate and PJ, they gave some money we gave them flap jacks! Good luck to them. The afternoon saw the speedy return of Lance, who showed us that he was back with a venganace as he peddled like a mad man, as his little sparrow legs pumped like a machine. The total miles for the day was 75. Asda at Crewe was a little hard to locate but as we arrived there was a welcome party. Asda at Crewe were absolutely brilliant. Heather, Claire, Sam and birthday girl Pauline (proudly supporting a helium balloon with 60 today) made us so welcome and they announced our safety message umpteen times, people were very interested in our cause. We collected £370!!!!!!!! Thank you Crewe. The lads and lass on Green watch at Crewe fire station were brilliant and were perfect hosts (nice one Dave!). ACO Dave Etheridge has joined us for Day 9 where we will pass the half way mark as we head for a camp site 13 miles north of Preston. (Pete Cleary is also along side in the car, a good decision Pete!).