Sunday 29th June 2008

Last night we were welcomed and fed by the Bell Ringers of the St Columb Major tower. Well, we were delighted with both the food and the company. They have a tower of 8 bells and are very enthusiastic about their ringing. The Ringing Captain is a College Youth which is the highest accolade available in this activity! A big thank you to them for their support. Today we hit off at 07:00 hours and before 4 miles we had a chain link brake. A roadside repair quickly got us going again. Our first stop was at Padstow where we took the passenger ferry across the river Camel estuary (see photo). The weather was good and we made good progress through the lanes of North Cornwall passing Delabole, Davidstow and finally to Launceston. With all this activity hunger is affecting us to various degrees. During a stop where we found a Coop shop open, one of the team ate 80% of their daily calorific requirements in less than 20 minutes! It has been suggested that some members of the team may set a record by actually GAINING weight during this End to End trip. We crossed over the River Tamar into Devon and cycled along the old A30 which was quiet and pleasurable. We eventually arrived at our campsite just outside Bridestowe near Okehampton at 16:00 hours and pitched camp in record time. This evening our meal was kindly supplied by the Bridestowe Bell Ringers. Again the hospitality was outstanding. They ring 6 bells and visitors. would be welcomed. Again a big thank you.
Miles today = 55. During these first two days we have kept the mileage down purposely to cope with the many hills in Cornwall and Devon and to ease us in gently.