Blog/Updates

Day 57- Sennen Cove to Lands End!

Actual distance 2.8km or 1.74 miles

Total Ascent 29m

Today was a celebration of our journey and the weather joined in too!

Just like any morning we packed away and had breakfast but happily we didn’t have to worry about ensuring we had enough food to sustain prolonged activity as we knew we had less than 3km left. Before heading off from the Penzance (Madron) Scout group we caught up with Jeremy, the DC for Penzance and the Isles of Scilly on his way to run a Silver DofE expedition.

We arrived at Sennen Cove to find a huge crowd in the car park waiting for us ready to join us for the final leg. After some photos we boldly headed off (before confirming which of the two routes we should take- the costal path or cycle route 3!) Following a brief consensus we opted for route 3 and off we went with flags waving in high spirits.

We soon saw Lands End in the distance and headed for the complex which is significantly more developed and touristy than John O’Groats. We found the start/ finish point and then were temporarily confused as to where the iconic signpost was so we took the scenic route (aka aimlessly wandered) to find it (not that it really mattered after over 1,750km!)

Signpost located we also spotted John Leeks, who saw us off from John O’Groats all those weeks ago, and who had travelled all the way down to Lands End especially to see us finish. As we approached the post we discovered just how lucrative a sign is to an area as you are only allowed near if you pay to have an official photo taken. We posed for the essential photographic proof on the poor mans side of the barrier, but John was an absolute legend and paid for an official photo as a present for us which we are very, very grateful for. Now looking at the photos the amazing blue sky behind us makes it look suspiciously like CGI – we really did make it we promise!

We were then surprised by being given not one, but two specially made medals to commemorate our adventure, along with individual certificates of achievement- an amazing and unexpected surprise from our families.

Obviously we then headed to the gift shop to buy a blanket badge and essential fridge magnet, before immortalising our adventure and our status as ‘end-t0-enders’ (the technical term for doing the JOGLE or LEJOG!) by signing the official record book at The Lands End Hotel.

It was then time to go our separate ways and for most of us to head home as quickly as possible for school and work, though James and Cara are going to stay in Cornwall for a few days to relax and finally celebrate their exam results! On the way home we listened to a radio interview we had recorded a few days ago with the lovely Matt Shepherd from BBC Radio Cornwall that was on air at about 13:20 today that you can listen to here https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0gb2vkm

Over the next few days we will reflect on the massive adventure we have had (possibly after doing a few loads of washing and a little unpacking!), but for now here are a few silly numerical facts about our journey –

Days away- 59

Days active- 55

Distance travelled- 1757.08km 0r 1091.8 miles (or 4.96 times the length of the River Severn)

Total ascent 22,667.16m (or the height of 2.56 Mount Everest’s)

Moving time- 171h 32m (or 10,292 minutes, or 617,520 seconds)

Total average speed- 10.2km/h (that’s an average of the walking and cycling combined)

Number of Birthdays- 3

Number of punctures- 6

Number of counties- 18 (which is 22.2% of all the counties in Scotland and England combined or 16.5% of the counties in the UK)

Number of falls- no idea but quite a lot! (none from Bethan or Jennie though!)

Number of memories made- far, far too many to count!

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Day 56 – Hayle to Sennen Cove

Actual distance 37.89km or 23.5miles

Total Ascent 464m

Staying at Penzance (Madron) Scout HQ

This was the morning of our final riding day for the JOGLE so we were up early and tucking into an awesome cooked breakfast courtesy of our hosts the 5th Redruth. A final flurry of packing saw our penultimate day starting in good time with us heading back to Hayle to tackle the final leg of our adventure.

It started relatively easily with a fairly flat run south out of Hayle towards St Erth then continuing along the water front, meaning we were able to reach Penzance in good time and before the heat of the day peaked. We’ve often struggled to meet up with our support team for lunch, but today this happened exactly as planned, with us all congregating in a lovely sunny park near the beachfront. We spent almost an hour lunching with Sarah, Abi and Moby, Phil and Elaine, and Jan and Neil who have driven down to join us for the last few days of the journey.

We could put off the hills no longer and so headed towards Mousehole and the tough, tough steep climb out of the village. However, the boys both managed to make it to the top without stopping! With water running short we decided we would stop in the pub in Lamorna Valley and so headed down a really steep section which required hard braking all the way (we dropped by over 60m in just 0.5 km!) We stopped at our final pub whilst on the JOGLE and cooled down with a soft drink.

With only 11km left we continued onwards and upwards quickly completing the final climb of the day (and of the whole journey!). We were then on the home straight. Sennen Cove came into view and we spotted multiple vehicles of ours, our support crew, parents and grandparents in the car park and gratefully stopped in front of a spectacular view of the bay. It felt difficult to stop with such a tiny distance left, but essential so we can all finish as a complete team tomorrow.

We loaded the bikes and the kids were desperate to head to the beach to paddle (or swim!) in the sea, and so we headed down the steep dunes to the bay. We found Paul and Jane (who have also travelled down to join us for the last stretch) on the beach with Sarah and Abi and joined in with the fun on the sand and in the rather cold water. Having dried off we headed back to Penzance for our final stay of the trip- with Penzance (Madron) Scouts courtesy of their DC Jeremy.

This evening we had a tasty chilli (thanks to Elaine and Phil) with everyone all together. It was great to chat around a campfire and for the kids to toast marshmallows before settling down for our last night away on the JOGLE.

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Day 55 – Truro to Hayle

Actual distance 39.11Km or 24.30miles

Total Ascent 619m

Staying with 5th Redruth Scout Group

Today was sort of our penultimate day. We’re very aware of the need to try to get home for the start of the school term, but are also conscious that we have a fantastic group of people joining us on Sunday for our approach to Lands End. We therefore decided to re-plot our journey from Truro to Lands End, splitting it in to two good cycles and a very (very) short final walk that everyone can join us for.

This morning started with our usual routine of packing up, breakfasting (consisting of pasties and cake for Phil and James!!!), and making lunch (pasties for Phil, James and Bethan!). Just before 10am we were joined by Scouts, Cubs, Leaders and Leaders children from 18th Truro (and Sarah, Abi and Moby) to walk with us for the first 5km of todays route. Having people join us is always such a boost.

However, today was slightly complicated by a scheduled interview with Lou Hannan from BBC Radio Solent that was planned to start about 25 minutes after we set off, so we wandered down as far as BBC Radio Cornwall and paused at a picnic table just outside their building. Aware that the larger group was getting restless we split up, with a few of us staying to do the interview, whilst the rest continued on the walk.

We sat listening to Lou Hannan’s show (with Jennie playing along with a name that theme tune game, and the kids giggling at the that fact that certain names are associated with people who moan a lot!), then it was our turn to be on air (you can listen here.. ). Once we’d finished chatting we headed off to try and catch up with the others, reaching them at the point where the 18th Truro and the Woggle JOGLErs were due to part ways. Sarah and Abi (with Moby) also left us at this point, although we were rejoined by Moby 5 minutes later who merrily ran down the hill to join us as clearly our walk seemed more entertaining than theirs!

After a reasonable climb into Playing Place we met up with Niall who had brought our bikes ready for phase 2 of today’s journey. We hopped on and set off along the national cycle route number 3. The route quickly lead to the Bissoe Trail, an off-road path through the old mineral tramway that takes you passed several old tin mines and quarries, passed picturesque pools filled with lilies and purple hillsides covered in heather. The path itself was rough and stony in places, and littered with fairly sizeable puddles from the persistent rain this week.

We reached Saint Piran Cafe at lunch time and paused to eat and have a coffee. Jennie was very excited to chat to a guy who was delivering cakes from his daughters bakery business, BB’s Bakery, that only make gluten and dairy free goods. She therefore had to buy a little something to sample and can vouch that the ‘Brookie’ slice was utterly delicious!

There were two potential routes from the cafe, and without realising, the team chose to take the wetter of the two! We headed off with James leading, cycling through muddy puddle of increasing size until we watched him pedal through a puddle that was so deep that it came half way up his wheels! At this point Jennie insisted on the rest of the group turning back and taking the alternative path, leaving James to negotiate the last couple of puddles before we rejoined him.

At the end of the Bissoe Trail the route 3 climbs and climbs and climbs along winding country lanes leading up to Redruth. The hill appeared to go on forever, but impressively we all managed to keep going. With the knowledge that we had conquered the biggest climb of the day, we continued through town. There were a few more steep ascents and a rather blocked single track road to negotiate before the day was through, and we did have to pause for an ice lolly break before the end, but we reached Hayle in good spirits.

We were met in Hayle by Niall (whose birthday it is today – Happy Birthday!), and he drove us all back to the lovely holiday apartment that Emma and Niall are staying in on the outskirts of Redruth. Emma had been busy baking scones so we could all join them for a birthday cream tea, Cornish style. A fantastic treat!

We then headed to 5th Redruth’s HQ, our home for the night. Paul (Group Scout Leader at 5th Redruth) and his lovely wife have looked after us fantastically, treating us to a fish and chip supper, inviting us to their home to use the shower and providing us with ingredients to make a cooked breakfast tomorrow. We are beyond grateful (and clean!).

It’s an odd mixture of emotions reaching the last few days of this journey. It has been so heartwarming to experience the utter kindness and generosity of strangers. The unity in Scouting is phenomenal. We have met so many adults with a real passion to ensure our young people can continue to learn, grow and have fun new experiences together outside of school. Grass root Scouting is so successful thanks to the dedication of amazing teams of volunteers throughout the world and we have been honoured to have met a some of these amazing people during our travels.

We have felt a real want to bring Groups together, and with this in mind we are thinking of arranging ‘Woggle JOGLE Jam’ for some point next year. We would love to meet up again with all the fantastic people we have met on our journey, so a massive camp seems the most appropriate way forwards. Watch this space..

Tomorrow we will be cycling almost to Lands End, leaving only a 3km walk to complete on Sunday. We really can’t believe it’s nearly over.

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Day 54- Newquay to Truro

Proposed distance 23.98km or 14.9miles (or the length of 95,920 hedgehogs)

Total Ascent 428m (or the equivalent of the 87.88 times the height of the spring tide in Truro today)

With an improving weather forecast and a short ride planned we didn’t rush to leave the 1st Newquay (though we still managed to leave by 11 so pretty normal for us!). We left in warm grey cloud and headed down a lovely hill only to be seriously tested by a big ascent out of the town!

Stopping to remove layers (in summer!), we pushed on through some fairly busy traffic until we reached smaller lanes that wound towards our first stop for the day. The mizzle quickly progressed to rain but the steep hills meant we kept warm despite the conditions!

We arrived in St Newlyn East slightly ahead of our 12pm ETA to meet up with Rachel who runs the local shop, and James, her son, who is a Beaver with 1st Newquay Scout Group. They ensured we were refreshed and well fed with very tasty pasties and hot coffee. We chatted before reluctantly getting back on our bikes for the push on to Truro.

More steep hills were in our way, but the months we’ve been travelling have made us stronger and we dispatched with the 12% gradients with ease without getting off (mainly)! The final 10km was ‘generally down hill’, with the exception of the scattered sharp climbs. We also met a fun road diversion and relatively heavy traffic due to this.

We made it into Truro and headed to the 18th Truro St George’s Sea Scout HQ, arriving ahead of schedule. We stopped for a drink and ice cream at the cafe next door to celebrate being another day closer to the finish. Whilst we were waiting for the day hire of the hall to finish we decided to chance our luck and head to the BBC Radio Cornwall studio we passed on the way in to see if they would help share news of our adventure. Happily they said yes and we had a quick impromptu interview which will hopefully to be aired on Sunday! Stardom sorted we headed back and met the team at the 18th who treated us to hedgehogs- a Cornish delicacy of (yet more) ice cream with frozen clotted cream on top dipped in nuts and decorated with chocolate buttons and sweets- very yummy!

We settled in and started cooking tea whilst the kids headed out to the amazing local park. An evening of blogging, games and chatting followed. Only 3 more days to go!

The ‘amazing’ playground by the 18th Truro

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Day 53 – Porth to Newquay/ Beach day!!!

Actual distance 4.69Km or 2.86miles (or the length of 1488.9 Swallow No. 91001 trains at Little Western Railway, Newquay)

Total Ascent 108m (or the height of 830.8 standard toy buckets for making

sandcastles!)

Hosted by 1st Newquay Scout Group

Today was a little different. Having done the double yesterday we could afford a relaxed approach to packing up at Karen and Bryans. The lack of urgency was lovely, with the only pressure being the demands of the children to get to the beach.

We headed back to Treyarnon where the kids wasted no time running straight up the sand dunes, then into the sea! The adults (and kids) sadly didn’t have time to go for a surf – we will have to do that another time. Sadly the fun on the beach was over all too quick as we had people to meet.

We had a quick picnic lunch then headed over to Porth to restart our journey. In Porth we were joined by John (District Chair for Mid Cornwall), Jacob (a Cub), and Bear (Johns dog). We set off towards Newquay, stopping at the home of the 1st Newquay president- Pete and his wife Mo to say hello, before heading to meet some of the Beavers, Cubs and Leaders from the 1st Newquay at the park.

The kids had a quick play in the excellent playground before being treated to a ride on ‘Swallow No. 91001’ at Little Western Railway. We then heading off with the group to the 1st Newquays HQ. Arriving at their base we were greeted with warm pasties whilst the kids played in yet another playground!

Once we had set up camp for the night we then popped down into Newquay to see the sights. The evening was then filled with games for the kids and a planning session for the adults (spoiler alert- we are finishing on Sunday, not Monday as originally planned!). A fantastic, relaxed day.

Fun on the beach!

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Day 52- Treyarnon to Porth

Actual distance 17.22km or 10.7 miles (or the length of 8,922.3 short surf boards)

Total Ascent 521.16m (or the height of 269.3 VW Transporters)

Having done a sneaky extra walk yesterday, we were able to treat ourselves to a lie-in this morning, resorting in us having to wake up some of the younger team members after 9am! However, we quickly realised we had totally forgotten to think about breakfast, and had no milk or bread meaning everyone had to resort to using Jennies oat milk on their cereal!

Emma and Niall arrived with some food shopping, so the core team, Abi and Moby (the dog) left the support team making lunch and headed back off to Treyarnon. We had promised the children a morning on the beach, but it was definitely not beach weather so we had a change of plan and decided to continue on our journey instead.

We headed off along the coastal path through persistent wet drizzle. The path was clearly signed and very easy to follow even with rain-covered glasses on! The views along the coast wavered from being hidden by the wet mist, and being utterly stunning. The path turned off the immediate coast and headed through National Trust land where we found a random abandoned boat far too far away from any water.

After about 10km we reached Mawgan Porth where Dan and Sarah met us with lunch. We sheltered in the camper van to eat and dry off a little. Feeling slightly drier we headed back along the coastal path for a further 7.5km. As we approached Porth we were joined by all of our support team for the last 1.5km which was really lovely. We wandered down into the village and headed to a pub on the beach right next to our finishing point. We headed in for a drink whilst the kids headed to the beach to play.

Excitingly we have reached Porth a full 24 hours ahead of schedule! We have therefore promised the kids a beach morning tomorrow when the weather is due to be nice which they are very much looking forward to!

Back at Karen and Bryan’s the team all pulled together to cook a sweet potato and chicken curry. We then settled into an evening of entertainment courtesy of the fantastic joke, riddle and game bag that our Cubs gave us before we left for this journey – a treat we have dipped in and out of throughout the last 52 days!

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Day 51- Helland Bridge to Treyarnon

Actual distance 32.97km or 20.49miles- 20.21km cycling/ 12.76km walking (or the length of 109,900 lobsters)

Total Ascent 324m (or the height of 2,025 standard Cornish pasties)

Staying with Bryan and Karen

Today was a really nice, easy, and very sociable day.

After packing up we headed back to the Camel Trail with Sarah and Abi (Bethan’s Mum and sister) and the 8 of us set off along the pleasant, beautifully smooth cycle path. After about 5km we were joined by Jennie’s parents and her cousin Emma, and a little further along the path at Wadebridge we were also joined by Immy and Adam from Dartmoors Edge Campsite/ 1st Lifton SeaScouts. The 13 of us rode together towards Padstow, weaving along the very busy (Bank Holiday Monday) traffic free route.

We planned to walk onwards from Padstow, so met with Emma, Niall and Dan to drop off the bikes a couple of miles outside of Padstow, then all walked into town, completing the Camel trail on foot as an even larger group of 16 (plus Moby the dog!). The journey flew, and soon we were tucking into our first authentic Cornish Pasties for lunch from Chough bakery– very yummy!

We spent some time sitting and chatting with the group until, reluctantly, we parted ways so the Woggle JOGLE team could set off again, keen(ish) to get a bit further with the hope of a half day tomorrow on the beach! Heading for the costal path and our first proper sea views since day 2 and the North coast of Scotland, we ascended through Padstow then through farmland, crossing fields filled with kale, turnips and corn. Then we reached the coastal path, winding along awesome cliffs and past countless rock pools and sandy beaches.

Arriving in Treyarnon we met up with Niall and Emma in the YHA cafe for a well deserved drink (and an ice cream for the younger team despite it not being the warmest of days!) and to wait for the rest of the extended support team to arrive. Then we wandered down to play on the beach. Hattie and Ollie went with Granddad to ‘paddle’ in the sea and came back significantly wetter than planned, and then continued to play in the sand and sand dunes until it was time to head to our base for the next two nights (with the luxury of not having to strike camp in the morning!)

Tonight we have been hosted and treated to an amazing BBQ (including langoustines!) by friends of Emma (Jennie’s cousin), Karen and Bryan who are kindly letting us stay for the next few nights. After dinner Bryan set up a movie on a projector in the barn for the kids to watch and they were very happily transfixed by moving pictures for an hour and a half before heading to bed!

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Day 50 – Launceston to Helland Bridge

Actual distance 46.39Km or 28.83miles (or the length of 14,496.9 camels!)

Total Ascent 601m (or the height of 546.4 highland cows!)

After packing up some very awesome tents, we had a very awesome breakfast and were loaded with baked goodies (both courtesy of Immy and Adam from Dartmoors Edge, Foxcombe Bakehouse and 1st Lifton Sea Scouts) we said a sad goodby to our hosts and headed back to our start point for the day in Launceston.

We made a quick stop to buy lunch then headed off straight into a slow and steady climb which definitely tested tired legs. We were buoyed with the knowledge that only half the day was a climb and after 25km it was ‘generally’ downhill. We ascended steadily and had completed approximately 20k by the time we stopped for our lunch. Whilst we were munching on our rolls James appeared puffing up the hill to join us (having had a slightly later start after driving back to join us).

Back as a six again we set off and conveniently noticed a shortcut on the map that took out a rather large hill and as the rain had just started (and James had forgotten his raincoat) we thought it sensible. However, despite cutting a large hill we continued to ascend, toiling away as the rain got heavier and the views disappeared.

We made it to the moors (which reminded us of a cross between the New Forest and the Scottish Highlands) and hit a strong headwind blowing the rain into our faces and making what should have been an easy flat straight run very challenging. The pain was lessened temporarily as we passed a heard of highland cows who tried to block the road. We finally turned the corner and the wind stopped like a switch had been flicked off, but the promised descent definitely felt like a fallacy as the moor continued to undulate up and down.

Finally we found a downhill stretch through then out of St Breward leading to the start of the Camel Trail. Despite the temptation of a cafe at the start of the trail we ploughed on as we were all cold and wet (especially James!). We completed our final 8km very quickly and reached our amended finish point were Emma and Niall were waiting.

We loaded the wet, muddy bikes and equally wet muddy people and drove the very short distance round to Nine Ashes campsite where the team took pity on us and let us camp in their barn. We very much appreciate the opportunity to dry ourselves, our kit and our tents inside. At the campsite we were joined by both James and Bethan’s families for dinner (prepared by Emma and containing loads of her very tasty homegrown veg- thank you!). We are totally spoiled to have such a huge team supporting us for the last week.

We can’t quite believe we only have one week to go!

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