We’re off………………Day 1 Lands’ End to Carnon Downs Wednesday 27 July: lovely sunny day

Where is  Jim? He is on the phone to Doug. That's far more important than having his photo taken....

36 miles to date

Well, dear Blog Reader, at long last we made it to Lands’ End and set off at 9.03am on Wednesday. One word sums up today: HILLY. It was a breeze to Penzance with 36mph blast into town via Newlyn. After a flat few miles along the sea front to view St Michaels Mount we headed inland….and that’s when the fun began. We all were surprised the day before how quiet the A30 was coming down: we know why. All the tourists are on the ‘B’ and minor roads to the extent we were involved in a hilarious traffic jam caused by tourists and the local bus that gridlocked a whole village. I am pleased to say that cyclists were inconvenienced to only a small extent but then the hills started……………………

As you can see Jim is so into this, its ok he did perk up later at the enormity of it all!

No-one minds hills, usually because you get the bonus of a good free- wheel on the downer. That might happen in Hampshire: it doesn’t happen in Cornwall. One hill immediately follows the other and thus no real ‘gain following the pain’ Nevertheless we eventually arrived at a village of Porkellis where lunch was taken in the local pub (a nice line in fresh Cornish Crab salad, and err ……………burgers).

 In the pub garden we were joined by  two ladies who had set off 15 minutes after us who also decided the pub was also a good stop. They came from Shropshire and were cycling back home, hopefully in 5 days traveling 50-60 miles per day. The trouble is they had got lost twice already on the short trip from LE and had to borrow our maps to plan their trip ahead. Somehow, Shropshire is unlikely to see these two in 5 days’ time…………………..

Tomorrow is another hilly day with a diversion onto the Padstow ferry. Tonight’s meal will be at the Carnon Inn, a bit like a Harvester. Apologies to Damon and jo: The Old Quay Inn at Devoran was fully booked!

Tonight's Pint: St Austell's Brewery Tribute

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Camera Club Corner
This is a note to Mick Speed who will be in despair. Mick will no doubt be unsurprised to learn of Pauline’s photo skills. Did Pauline:

·         Take a picture of the car loaded up?………….No

·         Take a picture of the arrival at Lands End YHA?….No

·         Take a picture of the Land End to John O Groats milepost?…..No

·         Take a picture of her grandson setting off from the Start Line outside Lands End Hotel  to show her great grandchildren in years to come?……No

·         Did Pauline have her camera?…..yes

·         Did Pauline actually take any pictures?………………No

·         Actually, the last answer is not strictly correct. She borrowed my camera and here is the result:

Looks like I’ll have to come back next year for a picture of me actually starting the tour……nice lycra, though………………………