St Austell to Sennen (Lands End) - 92k - Mon 11 June

Have you got the impression that we are tired of the Cornish hills (well, Dorset and Devon can take the blame also).

We decided to minimise the miles as much as possible, so after climbing out of St Austell, we cut across country (a bad thing really - just means more country lanes that are even steeper than the roads) to shoot straight for Sennen, a few k from Lands End. We originally had St Just in mind, but it is 10k north of Lands End, and meant doing the ten k next day, then a long day on top. I rang ahead to a Hotel at Sennen, and it was wonderful. The best thing we could have done.

The trip to Penzance from St Austell was full of the usual ups and downs, and we were very weary of hills. But arriving at Penzance was a most wonderful exoperience. The first sight that greeted us was St Micheal's Mount to the north, a sister (brother?) to Mont St Michel off the shores of Brittany/Normandy). Penzance is just what I expected - the pirate capital of Cornwall with its mysterious narrow lanes, quaint old buildings and of course they play on the pirate thing.

We enjoyed traditional 'fish n' chips' at a 'Walk the Plank' type Hotel looking over the beautiful dock area of Penzance, where just near us a traditional Pirate ship was moored, flying the 'Skull and Crossbones' of the traditional pirate era.

It was a tiring 20k to Sennen of more hills, but the last 8k was nicely flat to dropping and I cruised all the way behind Julie at exceptional speed. I dont think we did under 30kph which is excellent going loaded with about 80kg including bikes between us (my bike weighs about 48kg including bike.)

We met two other cyclists who came in from a side road and who got in front rather cheekily - but with Julie at the front and me in the passenger seat (ie in the draught) we passed them and left them for 'dead'. Good cycling Julie.

Julie is finding her legs now. She found the early days very hard, We called it training for the UK. On the flats she can really cruise.

The Hotel turned out to be a delightful B&B - our room had ensuite and bay windows with beautiful views to Lands End.