h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I decided to visit Land's End at the weekend! I'd been down to Penzance in Cornwall before, for the total eclipse in 1999, but never made the small extra trip (I've also been to Thurso in the north of Scotland but haven't yet been to John O'Groats!). So I got the train from Paddington to Penzance on saturday afternoon and spent the evening and night there.

On sunday morning, I got the bus from Penzance to Land's End. It's only 10 miles but the bus takes a very scenic route through many places so the journey takes about an hour. A really nice place on the way is Sennen Cove, which is very close to Lands End, along the coast to the north east.

Land's End itself is really amazing - not just because it's the "end" of Britain, but because of the amazing views you get from the cliffs. The famous rocks that stick out from the sea - the Armed Knight, Enys Dodnan (with the archway through it) and the Long Ships (where the lighthouse is) get a real battering from the waves. Some of the breakers seemed to be over 30ft high, and sent sprays twice as high again when they hit the rocks and cliffs . There's also a part of the cliffs that cuts into the land a bit further, and the wind creates a vortex which sends the foam from the sea shooting upwards like snow falling the wrong way! I got some of this spray on my camera so I'm not too sure how well my photo's will come out . Some of the cliff walks are maybe a bit dangerous for small children, especially when it's as windy as it was on sunday . But you just have to be sensible and stay back from the edge! I would recommend Land's End to anyone really, and I'll definately be going back to Cornwall again to see a bit more some time .

Sounds brilliant I'm going to Rome at the end of the month. It's already quite warm there... I think I might pack the sandals (then again, maybe not!)

Who did you go with? No mention of travelling companions in your post.

Buongiorno Greta!
"All roads lead to Rome" as they say (even though that's not quite true in Britain)! I went to Land's End on my own, it was a sort of spontaneous trip Sometimes it's nice to get away on your own, you can go at your own pace, no one else to worry about, more time to think etc.

Sounds fantastic. I should do that more often. Sounds like a very good way to feel free and be alone with your own thoughts.

I might try it this summer. Lots of places to see around here, and I have a new car...

Especially for a writer like yourself - you're bound to feel more inspired going somewhere alone with amazing scenery. I always remember a funny quote from "Blackadder" (a comedy with Rowan Atkinson - there were 4 series' made and a few other one off's) where someone (Percy I think) walks into his room and says "Talking to yourself again Blackadder?" and Blackadder replies "Yes, it's the only way I can be sure of intelligent conversation"! It's a good come-back if anyone ever asks you why you do something on your own

Actually, I find my social life is better inspiration for writing than anything else. People are amazing to watch and listen to. Great scenery clears my mind and puts me in a relaxed mood, but it rarely serves as inspiration - as background, yes (but only sometimes, as most of my stuff is set in suburban landscapes).

Yeah I can see your point - you've probably got a more interesting social life than me I'm getting my photo's developed this afternoon - can't wait to see if they came out! I'm going on a another trip to the Outer Hebrides soon (April) and that one will be with a friend of mine from Edinburgh.

I'm going through a stage of going out a lot during the weekend, and often during the week. I've met a lot of new people in the last two months, and made new friends, so yeah, my social life is fairly rich right now. I'm enjoying myself