7th March 2010
Close to The Edge [Yes]
I had a great day exploring the Land's End peninsula having cycled to St Just with an extraordinarily strong east wind at my back. I did not really have to cycle, the combination of gentle downhill roads and the gale meant that gliding seemed to be the way to go.
Just before St Just, I saw a Peregrine take a flying Snipe and proceed to rip its head off. I found the headless dead Snipe on the road a little further on and placed it into my cellophane bag on the front of the bike. It was in there with an RSPB logo and a few pamphlets. It did not help that I forgot all about it until a brownish mush appeared amongst the soggy papers.
Whilst
cycling later a little Weasel was on a roadside bank. Twenty seven Golden
Plover were on Land's End airport and after enjoying close views of one of my
favourite birds, I went down onto the beach at Sennan Cove. Here I met an
artist, Jim, who was painting with oils, looking a stereotype of an artist;
tall easel with canvas, oily palette and interesting apparel A lovely man, who
coincidentally was a Reading Football fan. Now the coincidence was not lost on
me. The only person that I had talked to that day with even the slightest
interest in football and he had to be a Reading fan. I am a Villa fan. The
match timed for 2:00 p.m. on this day was to be Aston Villa versus Reading.
A stunningly beautiful day at a spectacular location, photographs were taken of the lighthouse and cliffs. Photographs were also taken of me and the bike, with Barnaby Bear as well, by the famous Land's End signpost.
Shelter though from the wind was impossible except by going indoors. I did just that to watch the match with the large confines of the restaurant at the end of the universe. Shock, horror and dejection at half time; 2-0 down and playing appallingly. Elation, relief and ecstasy ten minutes into the second half as Villa scored three goals before winning 4-2.
Now I will be honest and say that it was me that that broke a chair whilst celebrating the third goal! Jumping up excitedly as Villa's third hit the back of the net, I landed hard as the legs of the chair collapsed beneath me.
The cycle back to Penzance was tough with the wind now in my face and very cold and strong. A puncture to the front tyre did not help.
I did manage to see the Whooper Swan [150] at Drift reservoir. Yet I could not find any rare gulls at Newlyn later though but I did receive a donation from a local sitting on the harbour key.
23.7 miles
1,371 feet up and down
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