Pendeen to St. Ives

A very early start today, Bernie was walking by 8.30! It had rained heavily in the night, but the morning was pleasant, windy and warm, if cloudy. The forecast wasn't too good, but there were bright spots throughout the day even though it did look like rain early afternoon.

I drove the van to St. Ives - thank goodness there was hardly any traffic as it was only my second time driving it and I was dreading meeting a bus on these narrow Cornish roads. After parking the van (carefully) I caught an open top bus again to meet Bernie at Zennor, where I joined him to walk the pleasant path back to St.Ives.

We then fulfilled an ambition to go to the Tate Gallery here, but I think we both found it a little disappointing and I really am not sure about some of the work by Simon Starling. This was soon forgotten as we climbed up the hill and visited Barbara Hepworth's Museum and Sculpture Garden. Fantastic and well worth a visit.

Cornish pasties for tea, but not as good as Pam's!

From Bernie:

• today's walk 13.3 miles Cumulative distance : 23.5 miles
• bumped into the 3 gents walking the South-West Coast Path again - they'd also spent the night in Pendeen
• if you're reading this, Stephen, I did think of you on today's walk, particularly whilst enjoying a couple of pints in 'The Tinners Arms', Zennor - 'Zennor Mermaid', highly recommended & a huge improvement on yesterday's beer!
• Barbara Hepworth's sculptures were an obvious highlight of the day but the bluebells & gorse on the clifftops of Rosemergy were quite impressive & I loved the sense of humour of this Porthmeor farmer..... if the picture will publish

Land's End to Pendeen

What a beautiful morning to start: bright, clear and sunny! We can't believe our luck, but then maybe the good weather does follow Bernie - hope I haven't spoken too soon.

Up early and off to Land's End by 9 am and after signing in and the photo shoot we were walking by 10.We were surprised that the parking was only £3 for the day; we used to park at Sennen Cove 'cos it was free, but that is now £3.50! We met lots of cyclists setting off for John O'Groats - bet they'll be there by next weekend! The people at the Hotel where we signed in were very happy and friendly and it made it all quite exciting.

Started off along the coast path which is quite rocky here and then we crossed the long beach at Sennen Cove where, of course, Bernie led me through lots of pools! We met 3 gents walking the SW Coastpath, but it was generally quiet. I reckon they were all at The Wedding!

I had decided to walk as far as St Just and catch a bus back to fetch the van but we had cut it fine timewise and we ended up running for the open top bus; I didn't want to wait 3 hours for the next one. Bernie carried on to Cape Cornwall and explored the shafts and tunnels at the Levant mine on his way to the Geevor Mine at Pendeen where he finished the day's walking. It was warm with clouds and hazy sunshine.

Bernie had an excellent cider at a pub near the campsite , which made up for the disappointing "Proper Job" from the St Austell Brewery - others tried from this brewery have been much better.

Finished the day with......a BBQ in bright but chilly sunshine.

From Bernie:

Well done, Stuart. Received your message..... no problems!

Thanks to Kirstie for the latest donation.

Still having problems with pictures but trying to upload a picture of fascinating rock sculptures at Whitesand Bay, Sennen Cove. I saw a TV programme about people who can balance stones like this.... I haven't a clue how it's done!

Lejog Eve

Got up later than intended and so didn't set off until 11am. Fortunately had an excellent drive down in brilliant sunshine - and it is still shining across the sea. Parked up at Trevedra farm, a couple of miles from Land's End and for those of you who have been asking what the van is like, here is a picture of it.

Well there was supposed to be a picture but we have had great fun(!) trying to get the picture uploaded as technology seems to have dropped off the end of Land's End. Hopefully a picture will follow and you can see our living quarters for the next 3 and a half months.(Not sure where Bernie is, I think I have banished him to sleeping outside!)

Thanks to Natalie for being the first to donate. I have been in touch with Addenbrookes for info to donate to their Cushing's syndrome research so there may be news on that later. Meanwhile could Terry and Stuart try to comment again as we are receiving messages and we want to know what has happened to theirs!

Right - getting Bernie off to bed early so he is fit and ready for the long walk!

Ready for the off!

Nearly packed and ready for the journey to Land's End tomorrow. Bernie is impatient to be walking and getting the whole thing underway - we seem to have been planning it for such a long time and the time has finally arrived.
Sorry if you have had problems leaving a comment on the blog. This part should now work and Kirstie (our technical advisor)has put some instructions by the introduction to help. We shall look forward to receiving your comments.

LAND'S END to JOHN O' GROATS

This is the reason I retired at Christmas & the reason we bought the camper-van - to fulfil a long-standing ambition by walking from Land's End to John O' Groats, albeit by a rather indirect route!

• the intention is to start walking on Friday 29th April 2011


• we hope to reach John O' Groats on Wednesday 10th August 2011


• I will walk the whole distance - Les will walk bits & pieces & drive the van to overnight stops!


• once started we intend to update the Blog daily, dependent upon Internet access


• if you click on the tab above you will see a copy of our planned itinerary - if any of you are able to join us to walk bits (or to just take 'refreshments' with Les!) we'd love to see you. You'll have to check this page to see if we're anywhere near our schedule!


• while not strictly a sponsored walk, we are trying to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation & for Pituitary Research - our reasons are briefly outlined on the Just Giving page & any donations will be gratefully received

Land's End (left): taken on Sunday 23rd October 1994

John O' Groats, Pentland Firth & Island of Stroma (below): taken on Thursday 8th April 1999

Both pictures from our very slow, 10-year circumnavigation of England, Scotland & Wales!

Looking forward to trying to tie up both ends in 3 & a bit months!