Monday 24^th May, Ramada Hotel SEATTLE

11.00

Well we made it. We got here about three o’clock yesterday afternoon after an unexpectedly difficult day. We had breakfast in Tweeds café (The Double R in Twin Peaks”) and left North Bend at 8.00. The first stretch on the motorway, which we thought would be a doddle, because it was all downhill, turned out to be pretty scary as it was very wet. Visibility was very poor and we were going downhill really fast, getting drenched by spray from passing lorries. Not nice. The book talks of leaving the motorway after 25 miles and "making your way to Seattle by side routes and bike paths" for the last 5 miles. Fair enough if it was 5 but you actually have to come off 20 miles from Seattle. It's a bit like dropping someone at Gatwick and saying find your own way to London. We ploughed through the suburbs as best we could, getting lost at one point which cost us about 10 miles.

At least there was a very good cycle path that covered the last ten miles and got you right into the downtown area. Seattle is very cyclist friendly and the streets are full of them. Seattle is also extremely hilly but who cares. I have no intention of cycling around town –although we do have to get our bikes to a bike shop this afternoon, to get them packaged up for the flight home.

So here I am! Free at last. 3203 miles cycled in exactly ten weeks. This has been an unforgettable experience but I am glad it is over. It’s a great feeling and only a week more before I am home which will be even better. It's so nice not having to check the Weather Channel in the morning and not having to worry about where you are going to get something to eat during the day.

We went down to the Waterfront area last night and had a few drinks in Lowell’s Bar to celebrate. Then a few more in the Pike Tavern. Then the Queen City Grill. Then the Palace Bar. Then it was time to get up.

A few thank-yous before I finish. Firstly to Mr. Bowden who has been such a stalwart companion on this trip . Chief mechanic (only mechanic) , navigator, planner, purser and general organiser, he has had to put up with the most disgraceful displays of petulance, foul language and generally gross behaviour and has done so with minimal fuss. The whole thing was his idea and I would never have done it if hadn’t been for him. For this I will never forgive him.

Secondly to all the people who helped us on the way. Generally we were overwhelmed by the kindness and friendliness of all the American people we came in to contact. In particular, thank you to Linda McClung, Tim Schweigert, Scott, Andy, Bill, Joanna, Charlie and Denis who really went out of their way to assist us and without whose help we would have lost several days. And thank you, whoever you are, to the lady who bought the bananas.

Finally to all the people. who sent messages of support via text e-mail and blog comments. They were all much appreciated. Special thanks to Marie , Julie, Maureen Gerry Brendan, Frank, Paul and Paul D. for all the football updates and gossip, and,above all, to Lesley whose wonderful daily e-mails did more than anything to keep me sane over the last ten weeks.

Thank you all and goodnight. xxx