Day 1 - Haven House to Hungerford
Ralph’s Strava: https://strava.app.link/NvTSTNDWosb
Today is the official start of my cycling adventure with my cousin Ralph to four corners of the Isle of Great Britain. Six months ago it wasn’t clear to me what Great Britain was vs the political bits called United Kingdom - we certainly aren’t cycling to Malta - but I have it figured out now.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_islands_of_the_British_Isles
It is the launching of a project that Ralph has been working on full time for six months. It is not just a bike ride. It is an offering of his research information to other cyclists who may want to cycle any part of Britain we are peddling over.
We rolled out of Ralph’s yard at 7:30 am with our friend Dave snapping photos and sending us on our way - with the reminder that Dave’s pledge is per mile - and the pledge rate increases the farther we ride!
Our most important stop of the day was at Haven House where Jenny Pearce - our Fundraising leader - greeted us and gave Ralph and I a tour. The Director of Finance and Fundraising, Gary Seagar came to greet us and send us off with his best wishes.
Jenny spoke of the work the staff accomplish, the liaison with families, community and other hospices in the London area. Strong expertise in the staff of one is available to all.
Jenny was asked by a potential staff member, what the work atmosphere would be. Would she go home depressed every day? What I heard in Jenny’s answer was that Haven House’s atmosphere is uplifting, inspiring and a happy place to work. Staff love what they are doing. The interviewee is now one of her managers.
Jenny also told the story of a Mom who was asked if their child was going to Haven House to die. Her answer: “This is not a place for my child to die. This is a place where my child lives. “.
I expect that this time at Haven House was the most important hour of my 60 day trip.
The tour started with the White House that houses the children’s bedrooms (6) the kitchen and living room and facilities for families who may be staying.
https://m.londonpicturearchive.org.uk/view-item?i=149359&WINID=1659423168272
I particularly like the very brightly painted cabin - called the buddy house - that is available for siblings to stay during the time they are visiting their brother or sister. A newly built playground with accessible swings and play structures is also pretty special.
There are ten acres of grounds with forest paths and quiet places for families to sit and play and enjoy the outdoors with all the soothing qualities a woods can share.
We then hopped on the bikes for the ride to Brett and my cousin Susan’s home.
The heavy mountain bikes are the work horses this week as this annual family ride from London to Brixham becomes the first leg of out trip. We were joined by Ralph’s grand nephew James, his nephew-in-law Sam, and his brother-in-law Brett. They have all done the ride before. I was the newbie!
The wiggling through London on quiet streets and bike paths had us cross Olympic Park, Victoria Park and various neighborhoods before we reached the Regents Canal. Despite it being Monday, the canal path was crowded with walkers, dogs, joggers, baby carriages and bicycles. The narrow brick and stone paths were lined with canal barges bow to stern essentially wherever one could be moored. Wherever there were walls and any bricking under bridges,were painted by graffiti “artists”.
There was a non-zero chance one of us would fall in the canal when trying to pass or being passed. There is NOT room for two bikes on the path under a bridge.
I stopped to take a picture of Victoria Park because the stark reality of the drought and high temperatures in Europe is clearly apparent on playing fields and parks. Victoria Park has an interesting history dating back to the time of the London plagues.
Our day’s cycling took us on the paths beside the Regent Canal, the Grand Union and up the Paddington Arm. The paths were very crowded in London with cyclists competing with walkers, joggers, baby strollers, dogs, vendors and the continuous bow to stern lineup of canal barges piled with the personal belongings - including gardens - of the captains and mates.
The weather was perfect for us, the Travelodge in Maindenhead had all the essentials for a night’s sleep and Ralph and I enjoyed a lovely Italian meal canal-side. On our walk home we met Martin and started to chat. He has a celebrity friend who is cycling the coast of the island of Great Britain. You never know he may want to join us for a day or two!
A good ending to a good day.
Safe cycling
Lorraine