Proper Job!

Well it had to happen at some stage didn't it. Andy (W) and I went to the pub last night on some kind of mission to put right the pains of the days cycle. We tucked into an appropriaty named local ale - Proper Job - and proceeded to drink the barrel dry. Undetered, we battled on with the Exmoor Gold before the landlord closed the tills about midnight. Thanks to Adam and Kath for their company and cornish biscuits.

Our night out meant an inevitable late start this morning. We took advantage of the YHA breakfast then had an extra cheeky kip before heading off at 9.30.

Turning left out of the hostel, we immediately hit a hill which lead to a 1,000 feet climb. Half way up it started to rain, which turned to hail on the moor at the top. 68 miles to go....

The rest of the morning followed suit, with one climb being followed by a fast descent, then immediately back up again. It was painfully slow going as we inched our way off Exmoor and into Devon, searching in vain for a flat bit. Andy turned this torture into some kind of game, seeing how fast he could go down the ludicrously steep hills. 42 mph on one, then a ridiculous 49 mph on the next. I followed behind at a much more sensible 41 mph...

The rain cleared up and we plodded on, somehow missing a huge rain shower which we could see from a few miles over Torrington. Eventually we left devon and with immense delight entered Cornwall, the finishing line was almost now in sight.

We carried on to Bude where Andy demanded "the biggest pasty you can find". Sure enough, we each managed to procure a giant pasty, bread & butter pudding and a can of coke. Rod, you would have been horrified!

Energy renewed, we left Bude and headed for Tintagel, our overnight stop. We followed the dramatically scenic coast path for a few miles, going up and down hills as steep as 1:3. The 20 miles to Tintagel was to take us 3 hours, as we continued on the permanent Cornish rollercoaster. We passed through Boscastle and witnessed some of the flood damage a few years ago, some of which is still being repaired now.

Another huge climb out of Boscastle, my legs and knees were by now in a fair amount of pain. Then it started raining again....

Finally we reached the track leading to the Hostel, relieved to have survived an incredibly arduous day, safe in the knowledge that we have to do the same thing again tomorrow to reach Penzance, and our last overnight stop.

Dinner tonight? Tomato Soup, 2 cans of stewing steak with some pasta and a ragu sauce and a packet of jammie dodgers. Proper Job....