…with almost complete disaster! I take a train from Southampton, bound for Penzance via Bristol, but an incident on the line after Westbury means an enforced re-route to Chippenham. Luckily my Bristol connection is held up in the ensuing chaos and I’m able to get me and the bike on the right train for Cornwall.

Four hours and a short ride later, I’m finally at Lands End and can start my trip proper. My ace cousin Ruth is there to meet me & take the obligatory photo under the Lands End sign post – cheers cuz! Another 20 Cornish / hilly miles ending in a short, steep climb brings me to my first nights accommodation in the small village of Angarrack, just outside Hayle. And a cracking little B&B it is too.

The proprietor has a great collection of OS maps and after pouring over the days route in glorious 1:25,000 detail, I head down to the Byways public house for a round of plaice & chips. I’m then duty bound to take a 2 mile hike to the Bucket of Blood in neighbouring Phillack, for a swift half of the black stuff.