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Getting to the start is no mean feat. After 10 hours on a train I’m in serious danger of getting saddle sore before getting on the bike! The day started with a full Orr family farewell at York station before boarding the 0745hrs direct train to Penzance. Or so I thought. It transpired that due to ‘schedule changes’ the train actually terminated in Plymouth, some 2 hours from Penzance. This in itself wasn’t a problem as there are frequent trains between Plymouth and Penzance, but of course my bike booking wasn’t valid on any connecting train. All worked out in the end though, thanks to some fast talking and fast moving! Travelling by rail in the UK never fails to sprinkle some spice on any adventure.
I arrived at Penzance just as the first thunder storm of the day began its deluge. A rather resigned and soggy mile took me to the Youth Hostel on the outskirts of town, and it seems perfectly pleasant as Youth Hostels go.
Tomorrow I will tackle the (roughly) 80 miles to Tintagel. Hopefully the (just over) 1000 miles of training will have prepared me well enough – and let’s face it, if I struggle on day 1 the next few weeks are going to be very tricky indeed!
Penzance seems to be in something of celebratory state this evening; there is much fancy dress and staggering as you might expect on a bank holiday weekend Saturday. In my own way I’m going to join the party by taking myself to the Pirate Inn (where else) and ordering a beer and whatever on the menu has the most carbs.
