At the End of the World

In some ways this day was the hardest. Partly that was because of the wind,
but partly it was because as soon as we got off the Thames ferry in Gravesend we thought we were home. We thought it was just a quick hop, skip and a jump and we'd be finished. In fact it was still another 60 miles. But it was good to be back, in the rolling hills and woodlands, among the oast houses and orchards. We stopped in Headcorn for lunch before pushing on for the coast and Dungeness. When we got to within sight of the power station the landscape changed and, as in Caithness right at the beginning, it felt like we'd reached the end of the world. Which gave the ride a pleasing symmetry: from world's end to world's end. And at the end there was a cluster of people waiting for us and cheering, with bunting, champagne and cake. At the end of our long 900 mile odyssey, they were there to welcome us home. Thanks to everyone who helped and supported us on our way, who's put us up or ridden with us, sponsored us and encouraged us. It was fabulous.