My apologies for radio silence. I have been a little tired after my cycle to Tintagel Castle yesterday, though it wasn't a terribly gruelling ride in comparison to how some are going to be. The total distance was 60km, and here's the proof that I covered it.
Look at that symmetry too (bottom left of the screen)! Bang on 50/50, although I have to admit that my average symmetry yesterday was a rather poor 35/65, but that's something I'm working on.
As promised in my last post, I did a couple of periods of yesterday's ride at increased resistance to represent hills. I worked hard and did a 10km stretch and a later 5km stretch at four gears higher than usual, plus 3km each at two and three gears higher. That's probably why my legs have been rather zingy today.
So since my last post I decided I'd peel myself away from The Watering Hole and have a little look around the town of Perranporth while I was there. I came across this little museum - the Perranzabuloe Museum - that informs visitors about the rich history of Perranporth and the surrounding area, paying particular attention to the mining, fishing, farming, and of course surfing history. There's also an area looking at the social history of the area, with a replica Cornish kitchen and costumes from back in the day. It's not a huge place by any stretch of the imagination, but worth a visit if you're in the area, I reckon.
A little culture is a good thing, but being by the coast I'm constantly drawn to the sea, whether that's just looking at it or getting wet in it, so it wasn't long before I was braving the cold and going for a dip.
Yeah, it's not my best look, is it? To be honest, it was so bloomin' cold that I didn't stay in long. I couldn't. I thought my fingers were going to freeze off ... and there's always that 'Oh my word! What the heck was that?!' moment when something unseen below the surface of the water rubs against you and you imagine it's a shark that's come to gnaw off a leg or an arm. Still, the few minutes I bathed in the old briny were fun, and let's say invigorating.
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| Image from Google Images |
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| Image from Google Images |
Aren't they lovely?
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| Image from Google Images |
Oh, no, wait. That last one was dinner.
I was very excited when I stumbled across this Kitesurfing and beach sports place, and even more excited to see that they have facilities for disabled folk to take part in lots of the activities. Determined to make the most of my time here, I just had to give it a go, but unfortunately the expectations I had of myself....
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| Image from Google Images |
...weren't quite matched by my capabilities...
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| Image from Google Images |
It's possible that I'm not quite the sportswoman I fool myself into believing I am. But I will hold in mind the old adage, 'Practise makes perfect,' and so long as I'm having fun it doesn't really matter if I'm any good at it ... just so long as I don't mind being laughed at while I persist in these activities. I don't.
Having provided the locals with some beach entertainment with my sporting antics it was time to pack up camp and set off for Tintangel Castle. As I said before, the ride itself wasn't too bad, and I made good time, covering the 60km distance in 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Tintagel is a small village famous for its association with King Arthur and for being the site of his last stronghold. It's this site that draws in the tourists, including myself, and no matter that it's ancient it is still amazing and dramatic, although there are a huge number of steps from the village to the castle.
With the connection to King Arthur then of course there's also the association with Merlin, and as you make your way up, down, around, up, and down, and up the steps to the castle, the guide book points out Merlin's Cave - the cave you can see across the inlet.
While I was up the top, beyond the castle on the headland, I thought I'd keep an eye out for Arthur and Merlin. So far no luck, though I did see this guy looking for some peace and enlightenment, or just feeling the mysticism of the place. He looked happy anyway, but I don't think he was either Arthur or Merlin ... though, to be fair, I didn't ask him.
I'm under the impression that the guys I'm looking for look like this...
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I must bear in mind that they might have aged a little by now, and that as these aren't photos some artistic licence may have been employed, but I'm hoping there's a close enough likeness that I'll recognise them when I see them. If I see them. I'll let you know if I come across them, and maybe I'll see if they'd like to come to my tent for a cuppa, though I'd feel the need to apologise for the shape of my table.
Speaking of tents, I've pitched mine up at The Headland Caravan Park
I haven't had a chance to look around the site much yet, but it seems quiet at the moment and not too expensive for the facilities it provides. I'm not sure they realise quite how spacious my tent is on the inside though or they'd probably charge me extra. I never did get around to showing you my camp bed, did I? It's a bit more luxurious than most, but I do like the extra comfort and space.
The curtains are great because they keep out any draft that comes through any slight gap at the bottom of the tent door zip, and the duvet is really snuggly. Sometimes I use a sleeping bag instead of the duvet to get that more usual camping experience feeling, but I love the silky satin duvet covers I've got. Nice colour, don't you think?
Well, speaking of bed, I think it's time I crawled into the tent and got comfy on the camp bed. I'm here for a few days so I'll go for a venture into the village in the next day or two. I've unexpectedly had to slightly extend my stay at Tintagel so I won't be moving on until Friday, but then I'll be off to Westward Ho! Remember you can sponsor me for my epic bike ride at my Just Giving page to raise funds for Pop-Up Gym, and that every donation, however small, is hugely appreciated.
