LeJoG Day 1 - We're off!

The time has finally arrived, and our adventure has begun.  We all slept badly, all feeling daunted by the challenge in front of us, questioning whether we can really do it, worried about all the things which could go wrong.  But we made it to Lands End, and set off in glorious sunshine - it's been beautiful weather all day, although slightly too hot for comfort on a bike.  They were even ringing the bells for us as we came through Penzance - anyone who knows my mobile phone ringtone will realise that the sound caused some confusion for a moment or two!  If you want to know our exact route, the Strava file will show you where we've been today.

Unloading the bikes from the car

By the famous sign (although you can't get closer without paying for the privilege!)

On the start line (or finish line if you've come from John O'Groats)

From this angle you can see the post which says 'start'!

We went past St Michael's Mount this morning

Joel spotted this old lifeboat moored in Hayle

The view from Perranporth YHA, where we're staying tonight

Nearly ready to start!

As you can see from the photo, we've made it to Lands End Youth Hostel (if you look at the photo carefully, you'll see our bikes still loaded on top of the car behind us).  Actually, Lands End Youth Hostel isn't at Lands End - its at St Just, a few miles up the road.  So in the morning, we'll be driving down to Lands End itself and finally unloading the bikes ready to cycle.

And we're away!

In the true Errington tradition, we were very late leaving, but we did it - we got away!  The car was packed, the bikes were loaded . . . We had a good journey down to Devon, and eventually found our way through the lanes in the dark to our B&B (http://www.theoaks-bed-breakfast.co.uk/) where we were made very welcome despite being so late.  Today we travel on to Lands End . . .

We're nearly ready to go . . .

The time to pack up and go has nearly arrived!  We'll be leaving Wrexham tomorrow, and setting out from Lands End on Wednesday.  Please keep us in your prayers, and keep up with our progress here!

There are lots of people who have helped to make our adventure possible, including my colleagues here in Wrexham, covering my duties during my Sabbatical, and the Diocesan authorities who agreed to allow me to take it, as well as many others . . . we're very grateful to them all.

Another key person is our friend Pauline, who arrived here today to house sit while we're away.  We're very grateful that we can leave everything here in her capable hands.

Hills and more around Wrexham

Finally, a day when we could enjoy a ride!  As we're trying to get ready to start from Lands End next week, we decided we could do with some preparation for the hills of Cornwall and Devon.  Not quite 25 miles and c 1,500 feet of climbing later, we're feeling more confident that we won't be beaten!  Many thanks to Jonathan for joining us today and giving us some valued encouragement.

The Great British Weather!

The weather has not been our friend as we try to get ready to cycle the length of the land!  We had plans to do lots of miles together as a family during half-term - most of which were rained off!  Last Saturday, we started a challenging ride, and had to give up when the heat became too much.  During the early part of this week, the heat put paid to most of my planned rides - and then today, I was rained off!  

The first few days through Cornwall and Devon in couple of weeks time are going to be very hard work!  Please pray for good conditions for us, along with the necessary stamina and determination - especially for Nathan and Joel, who won't know what's hit them!

To the End of the World!

Well, not quite!  But I did cycle through World's End on my way round the mountain from Minera to Llangollen.  At times it felt like I was on top of the world.  I'm quite pleased that my legs coped with the nearly 3,000 feet of ascent over the course of 30 miles.

The photo is a view of the Dee Valley, looking up towards Llangollen (taken from the canal towpath).