Well, what a day.
Setting off at 8am, we really didn't realise what the day had in store for us.
It started reasonably gently, as we crossed the Medway, although the path down to the cycle path along side the M2 was perhaps not the route we were suppose to take !


Soon though we were on an off road cycle track. It wasn't ideal for road bikes !
A few large puddles, lots of gravel, hard rocks, uncomfortable seats, and very slow going.


Trevor had the pleasure of the first puncture of the day, so a few stayed behind as the others pressed on. The cycle tracks became too much though, and we reverted to the main A road to catch up time, and meet with Shaun. So a very slow morning, knowing that we needed to be in Dover for 2.30.

Then the afternoon. Hill after hill, after hill. Some real stinkers ! And time slowly ebbed away. Eventually we missed our ferry by about 15 minutes, on top of which Davy had his first puncture just as we entered Dover.


It didn't matter, we caught the next one, but just got late into Calais, and so late eating and to bed.


We had passed through some lovely countryside, but oh what a tiring day. Everyone exhausted having out in such effort. Even though it was only 57 miles, we had climbed over 3300 feet in the day. More than double what we did in the day previous over 80 miles !

After our first meal in France, we all retired to bed very very weary, looking forward to a much more relaxed day's cycling in France,

Well, what a wonderful day.
We left Bury St Edmunds at 8am, from Compiegne Way.

It was cool and overcast. Heading south through Clare, we quickly covered our first 25 miles, meeting Shaun just north of Finchinfield. Everyone was on a high. The first 25 had gone well. Even though Kim managed to be the first to fall off and draw blood !!!


The second 25 went even better ! They seemed to just disappear, and before we knew it, we were meeting up with Shaun again. Its great being able to stuff yourself, knowing you're burning off around 1000 calories every 25 miles ! So lots to eat. The sun had broken through by this time, and it was turning into a beautiful day. Lots of glorious countryside, a real pleasure cycling.


After leaving Shaun  the roads became busier, as we passed close to Chelmsford, Billericay etc. Keith and Trevor (The Essex boys amoungst us), getting quite excited as we cycled along old haunts. However,  distance was getting to us. The last 25 were definately slower and harder, but still fun asMartyn took us off road, down an overgrown path, with logs, nettles, and lots of moaning from the crew !!

Finally we made Tilbury, and a very old tub took us across the Thames from Tilbury to Gravesend. Keith and Davy really enjoyed it !

Then the climb up out of Gravesend to the Inn on the Lake. Far too comfortable !!!
Sore limbs (and bums) meant we needed to retire to the bar ! But very satisfied with our days cycling !

Last minute rushing around, printing out, packing bags, oiling chains ........
Excited ! YES !!!

Monday 3rd June ! Only two more days to go before we cycle off to Compiegne !
300 miles in 4 days, with ten riders !
Should be great fun !
Lots of training gone on over the last few months, now for the real thing !
BRING IT ON !!!
You can sponsor us at :-
https://my.give.net/thedoxaproject

The BFP recently took a photo of us, and did a small article on our ride from Bury St Edmunds to Compiegne, due to take place at the beginning of June.
You can find the article here :-
http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/news/latest-news/fund-raising-cycle-ride-to-twin-town-is-open-to-all-1-4627341

Another exciting academic year is coming to an end at St Monicah's with christmas time being there main summer holiday. We are trying hard to find some new land for the school in the local area as we have to move off the current site in 2013. Land however is not in abundance. Nakuru is one of the fastest growing cities in Africa and prices for land are increasing day by day. Hopefully we will be able to find somewhere in due course.

There was a little scare at the school a few weeks ago as a couple of the older girls caught Malaria. There was an outbreak of it in the slum and unfortunately some at the school were effected. One of the girls collapsed and had to be taken to hospital which upset a lot of the younger children. Thankfully both girls have now recovered and are back at school

A new Kitchen

A few repairs

Some of the buildings at the school are getting a bit old - especially the ones that were made of mud! Again at the request of the local education authority we had to do a few repairs. The picture to the left was part of the repairs to the mud classroom.

Fundraising for 2013 - fancy a cycle ride?

After the success of this years LEJOG cycle ride we have decided to begin to plan for more cycle rides next year. One of the ideas we have is to cycle from our hometown of Bury St Edmunds to its partner town in France, Compiegne. This ride will take place from Wednesday 29th May - 1st June, returning to Bury on the 2nd.

If you would be interested in taking part in this event or any others we may be running then please get in touch.

Event being organised by Act Cycling Tours (www.actcyclingtours.co.uk), exclusively for St Monicahs.

The cycle ride from Lands End to John O'Groats completed at the beginning of July rasied around the £10,000 mark with sponsorship. This is fantastic, so thank you to all that sponsored. All the money raised is going into a separate pot that we have aptly named 'The Building Fund'. We will continue to try to build this up till we have what we need to buy and build - indeed we have to find land in Kenya which is getting quite expensive in the area around the school.

If anyone would like to donate specifically into the building fund then please let us know, we obviously have a way to go to raise all the money we need so we will be continuing to fund raise and look for friendly and generous donors :-)