Day 15. Goonhavern to Lands End. 40 miles

WE MADE IT!!!!!!!!! Hard to believe it really but we actually nailed it in 14 1/2 days (apparently the average from JOG to LE is 16, so considering we lost half a day with repairs, we're pretty chuffed with ourselves. The final day decided to throw everything at us - big head winds, torrential rain, 1 puncture and a broken spoke, but we soldiered on regardless. The day for me started badly - I only got about 2 hours sleep and had absolutely no energy this morning. We packed up the tents and the rain started in earnest as we left Goonhavern bound for Redruth. Gandhi had spotted a cafe on the map so we headed for it fueled only by Jordan's bars (is he on family commission??), but buoyed by the thought of a full english and a hot coffee. Our hopes were soon dashed when we discovered that the cafe had been replaced by a Starbucks - not a fried piece of meat in site - so we plodded on to Redruth. Halfway there, we came across the cafe - it had obviously moved site. With joy in our hearts, we stopped, only to discover that it was closed and not open for a further 15 minutes. Rather than get cold, we decided to find somewhere in Redruth. Arriving there, we discovered that Redruth doesn't open on a Sunday. So, more Jordan bars, some warm sweaty cheese and a bread roll and on we went - for 20 yards until Gand ran over a piece of glass from a broken beer bottle kindly left in the road by a local drunk. The tyre was slightly mullered, but Darrin stepped in with an emergency tyre boot and repairs were hastily made. We climbed out of Redruth and pressed on to Camborne where, like a shimmering oasis in a a haze of rain, the M of plenty appeared - a beacon of hope in a desolate land. Cheesburgers - the cornerstone of any nutritious breakfast. And chips. And coffee. Vingoe considered going for a second burger, but then remembered his new trim figure and decided to pass. All feeling much better, we carried on in the rain and passed through Hayle, hitting the A30 to Marazion, where we left the main road and followed the coast to Penzance and Newlyn (Daddy Vingoe - not a bad place to grow up I spose). I popped a spoke in Penzance, but really couldn't give a monkey's as we only had 10 miles to go. Got back on the A30 and on to the last stretch to Lands End. Lots of steep ups and downs on this road - not what we really wanted or expected for the last 10 miles, but the rain had eased off so the going was a bit nicer. With around 2 miles to go, we got our first sight of Lands End - a real lift to the spirits. A few minutes later and we arrived. A complete contrast to JOG - there was actually life here! We pulled up by the signpost and got the obligatory photos taken, then headed for the local hotel for a couple of pints and to phone a taxi (assisted by the Receptionist Vicky, who the other boys assured me was rather lovely to behold; I, of course, didn't notice) to take my crippled bike back to our hostel in Penzance. Darrin jumped in as well whereas Super-Gand decided to ride the 10 miles back (sometimes you can go off a person). Reflections from the three of us to follow.