The Journey North

At 5.15 pm on friday the 27th June; Bornfree was officialy up and running.
Myself and my father set off in our trusty van Freda, and headed north to our first night of camping. The traffic wasn't all that bad for a friday night, we trundled up the A1 for a few hours, following the GPS religiously every step of the way.
After a few hours on the road and 70 pounds out of the kitty for petrol money, we arrived at where the GPS told us was our first campsite. We followed its directions down a pothole ridden lane for 2 miles, until we met a large metal gate which had been locked in position into the ground. We rang the campsite, quite worried that we were going to have to sleep in a lay-by, but the management quite cooly remarked that some GPS deviced 'tend to do that' and we would have to use the gate on the other side of the campsite, which was a 5 mile round trip.
Exhausted, yet strangely happy we pulled into the campsite te right way, found a hook up for electricity and we both sharply fell into a well earned sleep.
The morning was a bit sudden for me. I had forgotten that I was on the way to the end of the Country and was sleeping in a camper van. I sat upright and proceeded to smash my head on the roof of the van, which pops up to create a sleeping compartment.
After convincing myself I was in a car in a field, not in a cosy bed, I opened up the trapdoor in the roof of the van, slid out of my sleeping bag and was welcomed onto the ground floor by my Dad holding a bowl of museli.
We bundled everything back into the van and made our way north again, this time a little more wary of the GPS's track record.
11 hours later, and after a crafty stop for ham and cheese rolls, a visit to the angel of the north, numerous traffic delays on the A1 and A9 and many overtaking moves, we arrived in Wick; home of Neil and Mary Thompson.
Their directions were spot on, which is more than I can say for the GPS, and we arrived just as dinner was ready to be served, we enjoyed a superb 3 course meal of tomato soup, chicken hotpot with rice and home grown rhubarb crumble.
I'm now sitting about 18 miles south of the start line, and after seeing the first few days work I will have ahead of me, I know I am in for a long hard slog. But with the support of great people like Neil and Mary, and all my friends and family, this month will pass just as quickly and easily as any.
So what does it feel like to leave John O' Groats heading to Lands end on a skateboard?
Well, I'll have to tell you that tomorrow.

Getting Started

Well, it's been a long time coming, well over a year now, but finally I am ready to skate the length of the UK.
Welcome to BornFree, a 900 mile skateboarding journey for CORDA in aid of young stroke victims.
Today is the day before the ball, or rather "board" starts rolling. We are packing the support vehicle full of enough supplies to last myself and my Dad the first week. Everything from plasters to wine gums is going on board and we need to leave enough room for us to sleep at night too! After the first week of skating with my Dad my brother will pick up the driver's seat and give me a top-up of what I need. From then it's down to the west midlands, where my Grandfather will do the same. The same will happen with my mother, picking up the trip near the Welsh border, and seeing me to the finish line in Land's End, all in 27 days.
If I am to accomplish this I will hold 2 World records for being the fastest, and youngest person ever to skate the full length of the United Kingdom.
Follow this blog for day to day updates of where I am, where I will be in the next few days. And other things like how the trip is going and if we have had any big problems or successes.
You can also feel free to drop me an email or even call me on the road if you would like.
More coming soon, watch this space!