Children’s TV icon Timmy Mallett was back in Pembrokeshire last week, exploring parts of Wales and the UK coast, whilst promoting his book ‘Utterly Brilliant: My Life’s Journey’ - which is dedicated to his late brother.
Last year, the former ‘Wacaday’ and ‘Wide Awake Club’ presenter known for hitting guests with a giant foam mallet, who also scored a Number One in 1990 with a cover version of Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini after teaming up with Andrew Lloyd Webber as Bombalurina, went on a tour of picturesque Pembrokeshire with his biking buddies, taking inspiration along the way from the Welsh scenery and the memory of his late brother.
Four years ago Timmy took on his biggest challenge ever, inspired by his late older brother Martin, who he had buried just days earlier, he set off from his home in Berkshire to ride across France, over the Pyrenees and through northern Spain on the Camino de Santiago, the ancient pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela and the cathedral where the apostle St James is buried.
Born with Down’s syndrome, Martin was not expected to survive much beyond his teenage years, but ended up living what Timmy described as ‘64 filled years’.
Taking inspiration from Martin’s life, Timmy set about on more and more cycling journeys, and was even influenced by his brother’s smartly dressed appearance en route, which has seen Timmy modify his usual attire, taking to wearing a tie along with his hi-vis lycra gear!
A lifelong fan of getting on his bike, and always keen to explore new places on two wheels, Timmy returned to Pembrokeshire and other parts of West Wales as part of his mission to cover 4,000 miles in just 100 days, whilst taking time to paint part of the locality too, including St David’s Cathedral, Pembroke Castle and Tenby harbour.
Timmy even had time to take in Wiseman’s Bridge and cycle through the old railway tunnels that connected collieries at Stepaside, Kilgetty and Reynalton to Saundersfoot, posting photos and videos to his social media accounts along the way.
You can follow his journey on Facebook and at @TimmyMallett on Twitter, or by following #thecyclingartist
