Homeward Bound

Good evening all ...

I am typing this from the comfort of Homeleigh Farm, and have the extreme pleasure of sleeping in my own bed tonight! We have battled with Dartmoor, the A30 and the Atlantic Highway to make it back to Chapel Amble, and today's vital statistics are as follows:

Distance travelled: 64.2 miles
Time taken: 7 hours 5 minutes
Weather: rain, wind, cloud and bright sunshine!
Wind: nothing to speak of
Soundtrack of the day: "Eye of the Tiger", "You Can Do It" by Ice Cube and the Robot Song by the Flight of the Conchords - all very motivational!
Worst bit of the day: Struggling along the A30 with lots of holidaymakers and lorries trying to push us off the road
Best bit of the day: Reaching Homeleigh Farm to be welcomed by Daddy, Penny, Antonia, Uncle John and Aunty Pam, Sue and John Welfare (and a bunch of balloons!)

We knew that the first bit of the day was going to be hard, as our B&B was situated at the bottom of a valley. We therefore had a long 2 mile climb out into daylight though the tree canopy (and rain) up to Moretonhampstead - a quaint but busy village in the middle of Dartmoor. We continued our climb out through the village up to the top of Whiddon Down.

The going in the morning was very slow as we had to make our way up hill over 3 more "downs" - Sourton Down, Lewdown and Lifton Down. Really exhausting work - we knew that Devon and Cornwall were going to be the toughest days - but the long hills were something else. It was also frustrating cycling along familiar roads and what normally takes us less than an hour in the car ... but the sun soon came out and revived our spirits!

We passed through a number of villages in our attempt to avoid the A30 - which is the main road down into Cornwall. However, we had to cycle a short stretch of it from Launceston to Tregadillett - battling for space on the tarmac with caravans, trailers, lorries and holidaymakers on their way down to enjoy the Cornish sunshine. It was not a nice experience, particularly as we have to join the A30 for most of tomorrow's cycling... therefore, we have resolved (if we can!) to get up early and try and beat the rush down to the West of Cornwall.

After the stretch on the A30 we cycled up to North Cornwall through Pipers Pool, Holsworthy and past the creamery at Davidstow. Surprisingly, the hills were not as steep as I remember them in the car - which was very good news and we soon found ourselves on the "Atlantic Highway" - the A39. We cut through the back roads through Slaughterbridge (where you can see King Arthur's last battleground!), Delabole and Pendoggett and - with huge smiles on our faces - turned left when we saw the sign for Chapel Amble!

Avoiding the grass in the middle of the road, we soon swept into the village and home! A welcoming committee was waiting for us - and the day's cycling over! I have to keep on reminding myself that I still have a day's cycling to go - argh!!!

Just off now to the Lifeboat Station for a "photo session" - what a glam lifestyle!

Pip pip

Becca x