Today I was on a mission! The USA photos from my on-line order had been sent to Tesco in Redruth - why not Camborne or Pool which are so much nearer home? Anyway, I reckoned it was about 5 miles, the early morning rain had cleared and I should make it in the short time available.
Left home at 09.50 promising to be back by 11.15 in order to drive to Truro with Richard. Initial shock: as I passed 'Blanco's' house - it was empty and a For Sale sign swayed in the wind. I nicknamed this old gentleman because of his likeness to David Jason's character in Porridge; he's always waved to me from his conservatory surrounded by his plants, pictures and models - cyclamen and geraniums, peacock and dodo(?) portraits, Cornish engine house and Viking longboat etc - I'll miss him.
It was very grey day with far too much wind. Keeping away from the main road as usual, I went through South Tehidy, past St Mary's Well and into Illogan village. 3 miles from home and the rain reappeared; no point turning back so I pedalled on towards Sparnon Gate down the 'big dipper' and up the other side with water dripping off every part of me. I kept thinking 'It could be like this on the way to Paris - or worse'! Luckily it turned out to be just a shower.
Reaching Tesco, I noted exactly 5 miles, (what a good guess) - and my photos weren't there! 'Please call back after 1.30pm when we have a delivery' was all the help given. Time was beginning to run out, so the main road had to be the way back. It was great to whizz past the traffic held up by the long-term road works outside Barncoose Hospital and once through, no overtaking cars as they were all held up by the next red light!
Illogan Highway is at the heart of the big local redevelopment scheme - Camborne Pool Redruth Regeneration. Much of it is still at the planning stage but the grandly titled Camborne Retail Park has sprung up in the last couple of years, with the usual mix of B&Q, Halfords, Comet etc - nothing too exciting, but I like the group of Cornish Miners which keeps guard outside the perimeter wall! Passing Trevenson crossroads the sun was actually glinting through the headgear of South Crofty Mine and my clothes were nearly dry!
Not too far from home by now, a quick circuit of Camborne 'made up the miles' and with 10 showing on my bike computer I was home at 11.10.
Mission accomplished!!
Todays picture - the group of Cornish Miners outside Camborne Retail Park.
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