I cycled from John O'Groats leaving on the evening of Wednesday 24th May 2006 to cycle the 953 miles in 15 days and arrived at Land's End on Thursday 8th June 2006.

I did this to raise money for the charity that heightens awareness for people who suffer with the various types of Heart Rhythm Disorder as I have been a sufferer of this condition for over 10 years.

Although a benign condition I have spent many years trying to accept the reduction in my quality of life brought about by reduced physical capability in ‘storm’ periods of AF, but more significantly and more debilitating has been the mental illness that I have endured, anxiety at first then clinical depression in dealing with it all especially following failed ablation attempts.

In 1995 I decided that I would prove to myself that I was capable of living a normal life. This journey was one of the plans hatched and it took me this length of time to find the time, space and confidence to undertake it.

The journey through the north of Scotland was stunning, the coast incredibly clean and deserted. I was told that the proposed development of Dounreay power station was a causal factor in the amount of derelict, deserted properties. Although carrying my own kit and traveling solo, the hills of Scotland were no hardship, with the exception of Shuhie near Inverness. I had three days of driving rain, hail, occasional sun and felt like giving up a couple of times. I didn’t use my brakes going downhill for 3 days the wind was so strong! I had to reach deep into the reserves of resolve to keep going, at 75 miles per day being wet all the time was no joy.

Lockerbie village was very tranquil. I diverted the route by a mile to go and see the memorial which I found very moving. It was very touching to see so many people of the same surname who died perhaps they were on a family holiday when the plane was blown up. I am ashamed to say I didn't recall the date it happened until I saw it was Dec 1988 when 271 were murdered. The town is such a small place, it is hard to imagine the scale of it.

In England I had a day passing through rugby league towns, Orrell, Widnes, Runcorn, St Helens. Runcorn bridge was quite impressive, built by the same man who built Sydney Harbour bridge, I am informed. Just before the bridge I caught up with Bob, the Ender who I met in Carlisle on my rest day, so we cycled the next five miles or so together, which was handy as we got lost on

Runcorn island and ended up on a very busy dual carraigeway for a couple of miles. Amazing how fast you can pedal when scared witless of big lorries!

Poetic licence or destiny? I Arrived in Chester safe and well, to meet a cyclist on the doorstep of the YHA who was just packing in the End to End as his heart rhythm disorder was playing him up! Needless to say we had a long chat and I found myself telling him my history and all about AA, the website, the helpline and after half an hour together he told me he felt positive about this news. Despite being a sufferer for some years, he knew nothing about the AA.I figured the chances of this meeting, by two people with the same condition to meet in such a way, both doing the same thing to be somewhat slim.

Dartmoor is a beautiful place to drive across but an absolute pig to cycle! It took me 4 hrs to cycle the 25 miles from Steps Bridge to Tavistock, where on recommendation I sampled some strong cheddar from a rather extensive cheese shop

pedalling on a tide of emotion and adrenalin, no pain, just ecstasy!!

I treated myself to moules et frites and a glass of dry white wine in Hayle for lunch. The ride into Penzance took no time, where I stopped off to buy an England shirt for the journey home, so I didn't look out of place!!

The A30 from Penzance to Land's End reintroduced me to the hills, but only for 10 miles, the last 4 of which were down.

When it came into view, I was just stunned. The enormity of the whole project just hit me and I would like to say it was the wind bringing a tear to the eye but I was wearing glasses!

It was an eerie feeling, I got off the bike and was hit with a strange feeling of not knowing what do do next! Some tasks to perform, the photo, getting my form stamped in the hotel to prove finishing (so I can wear the tie!)could wait, I just wanted to savour the time and reflect on the journey and drink the champagne I had carried from Penzance!

Well as luck would have it they remove the sign at 5pm, apparently as a theft prevention, but my before and after shots will look a bit odd and it spoilt the moment a bit, but not much!

I spent two hours at Lands End and it wasn't enough! I think back to the Enders arrriving at JOG as I was leaving and seeing the inner glow of satisfaction appearing on their smile, well I've got that too now!

The journey was a journey in the normal sense but certainly a journey of self. I think I went to more places within myself than towns I visited

Thank you so very much for everyone who texted, emailed or left messages on my website, it has been a real boost at the low times on the journey and believe me, there were some