Last Day: Tom and I biked 8 miles to Fort Clinch and stood on Florida's most northern beach looking at Georgia. Mission accomplished, 623 miles. The bike wheel had made half a million revolutions, and left me with a thousand indelible memories. My reward from Tom for this achievement: we went out in the night to a railroad freight yard and sat in a box car for several hours until, with heavy groaning and reverberating metal, our train pulled slowly out of the yard.... Totally awe inspiring!

Thanks to you all for your blog comments that inspired me and made me laugh along the way. I wish Tom and Kate - who made this whole trip possible - lots of luck in a month when they deliver my first grandchild. And I thank you all for your generous pledges towards the DREAM Project, and the opportunity you have given to a small fraction of the world's poorest children.

Day 10: It was raining when I awoke, and I had to delay my departure by two hours. I set off under grey skies to the Mayport Ferry, and crossed the St John's River by boat. From there it was a 20 mile ride against a cold north wind to Amelia Island, where Tom and Kate live. I checked into their empty house - they arrive tomorrow. I've now travelled 615 miles and there is still a further 5 to go to the Florida state line. I'll do that tomorrow with Tom. I'm preparing canned chicken noodle soup for dinner!

Day 9: Started well, finished badly. There ride from Daytona to Jacksonville Beach was magnificent. I could see the waves, the surf, beaches, dunes and wild flowers from my bike. A fresh breeze had me running at 20mph most of the way. Then near Jax, it got very urban, lots of traffic, ugly. I had done 100 miles already and was aiming for Amelia Island - another 30 miles. I could have made it easily, but I missed a turning and went 15 miles the wrong way. I decided to stay over at Atlantic Beach having done 116 miles in 7 hours. Just a short finale tomorrow.

Day 8: A good mileage day, not very scenic, but a fast 16 mph average. After Melbourne, there is no coastal route, so I was on US1 the entire day. I passed through Titusville, saw the space center, and on to New Smyrna, a distance of 92 miles. I look at my bike now and see all the glamour of a long distance jumbo jet or the orient express: Key West - Miami - Palm Beach - Daytona. Cheap motel, but an excellent fish dinner.

Day 7. Ideal conditions for a long ride. I set off to the light of a full moon, and the day dawned sunny and not too hot, with gentle breezes. I stopped for breakfast at mile 24, lunch at 66, broke my former long distance record of 100 miles (set when I was 17) during the afternoon, and found a motel at 110 miles. But finding a motel was not easy and my shadow was getting longer. I was tired after seven and a half hours on the saddle. I had lovely views of the sea and waterways all day. It's lonely without Tom's company.

Days 5 and 6: Thanksgiving with the Ls and their extended family was brilliant. Unbelievable food and plenty to drink. It doesn't get any better. The bikers took some R&R and did maintenance on their bodies and bikes. I needed Neosporin for healing, baby powder for relief, and a concoction called "butt butter" for prevention before riding. The bikes just needed a bit of oil. I think I am going to be healed for Day 7's ride. Tom prepared his speech for the conference.

Day 4. We arrived at West Palm Beach for breakfast after 35 miles. I'm a little sore you know where, really hungry, not tired, and smelling like a turkey farm. But I have baby powder for that, L hospitality for the next, and a shower and a washing machine to fix the other evils. Happy Thanksgiving, and I'm on the road again on Saturday, but riding alone. Tom has a business conference to attend.