Having studiously updated my blog through the course of the day, you can't possibly imaging how p****d off I am that I've lost everything that I've done since 6am. Word of warning - autosave is wonderful but take it from me, there are conditions when it can screw you up. If you block delete your text in error, for instance, it is possible that autosave will save this "latest" version before you've had chance to recover the situation!
Anyway - this will not get things back to normal - lets do it again!!
. . . . . . . . . . . . Woke up several times during the night to the sounds of rain hammering on the RV roof but eventually dragged myself out of bed at 6am to a fine, if somewhat overcast and cloudy start to the day
Breakfast was scheduled for 7.30am at the YHA and by the time we strolled down to join the rest of Team66, race preparations had already commenced with areas being coned off and a general high level of activity.
A full Scottish fry-up was on the menu and was just the start we needed for the day and when we returned to the Castle, the car park had already started filling up and maintenance staff were working at full pace making their final preparations.
Andy in a pensive mood, pre-start
Stirling had really pushed the boat out for this one - the event was officiated by the Provost with a light gun specifically brought in to start the race as an alternative to our air horn!
Who's in the firing line?
Andy's route today starts at Stirling Castle and ends at Queen Victoria School in Dunblane via Bannockburn, Stirling University and Bridge of Allen . He was guided along the route by two cyclists with a fully equipped coms landrover following behind. This vehicle was in communication with a similar one at marathon headquarters and was able to give accurate reports on Andy's progress and position at any time. With this in place and with Sophie's planned excursions to check on him, there was no shortage of support for him - and no hiding place either!! lol.
And the Provost said "begone, young man!"
To the sound of the gun and a Highland Piper, Andy set off on what I'm sure will be a nostalgic trip for him in and around his birth city.
The Piper flanked by Team66 girls, Nikki & Sophie
Queen Victoria School provides a wonderful setting for the finish of this 57th Marathon.
Reports coming in indicate that a lot of attention has been paid to Andy’s itinerary today with people for him to meet or see or things to do at just about every 5k!
Quite by chance, Steve Cram was in the Peak Sports and Football Centre which was on Andy’s route and was pleased to meet him, pose for the obligatory photographs and provide an autographed Scottish Flag which we can hopefully auction at the Gala Ball in June.
I don’t think that Andy had any idea of the reception that was planned for him and as the finish got ever closer, the school supplied a procession of cadets from all 3 services and pupils of all ages to line the last 200m of the route. As he turned the corner and the finishing gantry came in sight, the Youth Pipe & Drum Band began to play and his heart must surely have been lifted by the sight and sound of the welcome that awaited him.
The Ops room at the Finish
His public await him . . . . .
As he crossed the line, a huge smile on his face, he perhaps reflected that this must rank as his most successful marathon of Challenge66 to date.
Tea and biscuits courtesy of the school and then pack up and on our way for the 135mile trip to Inverness.
What an absolutely fabulous drive - magnificent scenery and excellent A Roads - we arrived at Cameron Barracks and just for a change, I gave up my bed on the RV to Jim and bunked in with Andy in his room.
Take away pizzas for dinner ended a truly splendid day.
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