Day 1
Penzance to Portsmouth Harbour

Miles cycled
Day.          5
Journey   5

We got to Portsmouth. The taxi we treated ourselves to because of the iffy weather of late was a nice start. Breakfast in Sullivan’s was part of the holiday tradition before catching the 8.40 to Bristol. We were fine, reserved seats and bike spaces, but the cancellation of the Plymouth to Manchester train in front meant it was severely overcrowded the second half of the journey. The Bristol to Portsmouth train was almost empty and it was a relaxed few hours before a cup of tea in the sunshine overlooking Portsmouth harbour.

We explored Gunwharf where we had never been before. An interesting development of shops and bits of old history of the area behind the station. When we decided at 5.30 to set off towards the ferry port, Brin discovered the zip on his waterproof had died. This was a crisis as he had no waterproof or windproof top. At 6.30 pm on Easter Monday we found the North face outlet at Gunwharf was open and sold the ideal replacement. The fact that the internet seemed to be down over the area and no tills or cash machines were working produced another crisis involving a ride to Tesco’s for a working ATM for cash. Old technology.

We did arrive at the cross channel ferry port just before 8, after a short detour via the Isle of Wight ferry port. The pub next door provided much need sustenance. Last check in at 10 so all the extra time allowed for “contingencies” was justified.