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Walking Land's End to John o'Groats with Mark Moxon

Penzance to Pengoon Farm

Penzance
Looking back towards Penzance

Today I had my first proper day's walk. My 11-mile jaunt from Land's End to Penzance was really just a warm-up, for today's leg was 17 miles, the average daily distance I need to cover if I'm to reach John o'Groats in a reasonable time.

Onto the Coast

St Michael's Mount
St Michael's Mount

The pretty village of Marazion, which has the good fortune to look over St Michael's Mount, is a lovely place, though it must be hell in the height of the summer tourist invasion. In May it's still waking up from hibernation and the sloping streets with their thin pavements are pleasantly tranquil, but I didn't have time to dilly-dally and take in the view over a cream tea because this was where my route stopped following paved promenades and started exploring the real coast.

Sydney Cove
Sydney Cove
The Southwest Coastal Path from Kenneggy Cliff
Looking back along the Southwest Coastal Path from Kenneggy Cliff
Cudden Point
Cudden Point

The Crown

Piskies Cove
Piskies Cove

Luckily the rest of the walk was uneventful and beautiful. After my experience with the farmer's dogs I stuck to the roads, which took me through some lovely Cornish villages with names like Breage and Culeen, places where harsh realities like Middle Eastern war and killer viruses are not only distant, they're practically mythology. Finally I reached Pengoon Farm, a couple of miles north of Helston, where I gratefully put up my tent, grabbed a shower and tracked down the local pub.