April: Cycling and lots of walking
I kicked April off with my final Hepatitis A booster injection on the morning of 1 April. I'm now covered against Hep A for the next 25 years. If I'm still going strong and travelling the world by the time I'm 72 I'll be amazed, but you never know!
A bit later on 1 April I got my bike out and did a 37 mile ride out with Gary and Darren.
Our cycle route
Cake and hot chocolate in St Ives: delish! (Ignore the photo-bombers!)
I really enjoyed the ride, particularly cycling past the fields of daffodils; the weather was mostly dry too. I think I'm starting to get the hang of hills now.
On Thursday 2 April I stood in Sainsbury's, Penzance all day smiling sweetly at the customers to charm them into putting a donation in my collection bucket. It was pretty busy and I collected a massive £294.24!!
On Saturday 4 April a few of my friends and I met up with Di (from my Peru and China treks) and we walked along a trail called St Michael's Way from Lelant to Gulval (12.5 miles).
On Saturday 4 April a few of my friends and I met up with Di (from my Peru and China treks) and we walked along a trail called St Michael's Way from Lelant to Gulval (12.5 miles).
Gary, Di, Darren, me, Naomi and Jayne
(photo taken by a passing walker who was wearing matching purple scarf and sock combo!)
We stopped about half way to munch our packed lunches (and peanut butter flapjacks made by Darren). We had a great day and actually managed to wear Barney out!
We celebrated completing the walk with a well-earned drink in the Coldstreamers Inn at Gulval.
On Monday 6 April, Darren and I once again put on our walking boots. This time we drove to Gunwalloe and walked back to Porthleven (5 miles). The weather was glorious and there were lots of people out on the coast path.
On Monday 6 April, Darren and I once again put on our walking boots. This time we drove to Gunwalloe and walked back to Porthleven (5 miles). The weather was glorious and there were lots of people out on the coast path.
The remains of winching equipment on the cliff tops.
As we enjoyed our recent walks so much, on Wednesday 8 April we again decided to walk some of the coast path, this time from Rinsey back to Porthleven (5 miles).
It was warm and sunny; just perfect for a stroll along the coast path. On days like these it shows Cornwall at its best.
On Thursday 9 April I went on my longest cycle ride so far, nearly 47 miles, on a tour of the Lizard peninsula. It was a glorious day. We made a few stops, for ice-cream, hot chocolate and chips!
We ate our packed lunches while sitting on the dunes out of the wind at Gunwalloe. The walk was a good opportunity to start to get to know Carol and Amy, who I'll be doing the China challenge with.
.jpg)
On Sunday 19 April, I drove up to the north coast of Cornwall with my mates Naomi and Jayne to meet up with Kim and Brenda who are in my 'China gang'.
We walked from Kim's house to a pub 7 miles down the coast for roast lunch and then we walked back, so 14 miles in all. The weather was glorious and we had a great time. It's brilliant being able to get to know my fellow China trekkers before we go away.
Next stop ... Hadrian's Wall. See my separate blog to see how we got on!
The ruins of Wheal Prosper Mine engine house at Rinsey
The gorse is out in full bloom & smells like suncream (I think!).
More engine house ruins.
Back in Porthleven
It was warm and sunny; just perfect for a stroll along the coast path. On days like these it shows Cornwall at its best.
On Thursday 9 April I went on my longest cycle ride so far, nearly 47 miles, on a tour of the Lizard peninsula. It was a glorious day. We made a few stops, for ice-cream, hot chocolate and chips!
Richard, Gary, me and Darren at Coverack
Beautiful Coverack
Us at Lizard point, the most southerly part of the UK mainland
On Friday 10 April I spent the day chatting to customers in Morrisons, Penzance in the hope that they'd put a quid or two into my donation bucket. The shop was really busy and I collected £195.78.
While I was standing in Morrisons I got talking to local photographer, Pete Knight, who works at Perfect Pictures Penzance. He suggested I could visit the studio and have some promotional photos taken for me to use as part of my fundraising.
So, the next day, I went along and took him up on his offer. I'm much more comfortable behind the camera than in front of it but the photos are fantastic. Huge thanks to Pete for his brilliant idea! My plan is to use them to accompany a story in the local newspaper.
On Sunday 12 April I got together with a few friends and walked along the coast path from Mullion Cove back to Porthleven (9 miles). It was a fine day but pretty windy.So, the next day, I went along and took him up on his offer. I'm much more comfortable behind the camera than in front of it but the photos are fantastic. Huge thanks to Pete for his brilliant idea! My plan is to use them to accompany a story in the local newspaper.
Gary, me, Amy, Carol, Naomi and Jayne, ready for the off...
Mullion Cove
We ate our packed lunches while sitting on the dunes out of the wind at Gunwalloe. The walk was a good opportunity to start to get to know Carol and Amy, who I'll be doing the China challenge with.
St Winwalloe Church, Church Cove, Gunwalloe
On Sunday 19 April, I drove up to the north coast of Cornwall with my mates Naomi and Jayne to meet up with Kim and Brenda who are in my 'China gang'.
Me, Brenda, Kim, Jayne, Naomi and Sam (Naomi's son)
Bedruthen Steps on the outbound journey ...
... and (on the way back) our view looking the other way when the tide had come in.
Next stop ... Hadrian's Wall. See my separate blog to see how we got on!
Miles trekked in April (so far): 52
Miles run in April: 3
Miles cycled in April: 84
Current fundraising total: £3,668 (79% of my total)
