Day 1 - Land's End to Hayle 18 miles

First day done and we (Darren and I) have had what can be described as a learning experience! My pack is weighing in at around 3 stone. This is comfortable IF I have the straps done up correctly. The first 4 miles were fine, we then stopped so I could put on some Lycra! (chaffing is a terrible thing, Lycra for me is a winner). I then put the pack back on but didn't adjust the straps correctly and so ensued approximately 6 miles (2 hours) of pain! My shoulders felt like they were being ripped from their sockets. I had to stop and just by sitting the pack on my hips and tightening the belt, the pressure immediately abated. Relief!
Other learning included:

• "Public footpath" does not necessarily mean MANAGED footpath and are best avoided on rainy days. Carrying thick soil with you does not help.
• Ordnance survey maps at 1:25,000 scale are awesome! And our map reading skills improved massively today.
• Cobble stones that are wet and on a slope of more that 5 degrees should be banned! They turn to the consistency of ice.
• A program of 5 miles, rest, 5 miles, rest, 5 miles, rest, 5 miles should be the most effective way of staving off muscle pain.
• Carrying 3 stone on your back is not like running a marathon. Different muscle groups hurt and the mental challenge changes hourly.

Tired now so time for bed. Hoping for less rain tomorrow.