Well just 2days to go before leaving Belfast for home in BC.
The past ten days have been a great visit with my dad. We have watched World Cup rugby, researched Lewis family history, gone on a pub crawl round 5 historic Belfast bars( in a gentlemanly fashion of course), enjoyed a couple of evening singsongs, and managed to get along for pretty much the whole time, no mean feat! So well done father and son.
As for the cycling, I'm really pleased that I did the trip as its been something I've thought about for a long period. Its such a pleasant way to link places on the planet, coming upon them gradually in direct connection with people and place. There were certainly lots of blissful moments and places along the byways of Britain, Normandy and Brittany, and i would certainly consider doing it again .... in fact at least 2 further tours are germinating as we speak.
Thanks to those people who read the blog, especially Kim, KellyClaire, Meredith, Maggie and John, Rowena, Helen, Chris, Steve, and my dad, who all provided support along the way.
Mucho gracias!
Friday, 19 October 2007
Wednesday, 17 October 2007
Well as usual this blog posting seems to have been fraught with unusual and unexpected glitches, so I hope anyone who reads it appreciates the effort and anguish that's gone into this simple act.
|Just why text is underlined is the final mystery I hope!
The photos are rather out of synch and were somewhat random choices in the end, but do serve to show a variety of tour moments.
The west |Midlands from Worchester to Bewdley, to Ironbridge, to Shrewsbury to Chester were an unexpected delight. The weather turned nice, which always helps, and the people all seemed warm and friendly, and things began to get cheaper as I proceeded northward.
I should really fill in more details, but I've already taken much more time here than I intendeed, and this Inet cafe is not free, (unlike libraries which are great free net sources while on the road), so I'm signing off, for now.
HL
Lovely day hiking in Cardingmill Valley, Church Stretton, Shropshire
Shropshire Union canal route into Chester
Vintage cars at Woodside ferry on the Mersey, Birkenhead, Liverpool
Georgian 'Circus' in Bath
Amazing bio zones created at disused chalk pits in Devon
Severn River at Shrewsbury
Somewhere in the west Midlands
With sister Maggie, and cousin Rowena in the Cotswolds
|Just why text is underlined is the final mystery I hope!
The photos are rather out of synch and were somewhat random choices in the end, but do serve to show a variety of tour moments.
The west |Midlands from Worchester to Bewdley, to Ironbridge, to Shrewsbury to Chester were an unexpected delight. The weather turned nice, which always helps, and the people all seemed warm and friendly, and things began to get cheaper as I proceeded northward.
I should really fill in more details, but I've already taken much more time here than I intendeed, and this Inet cafe is not free, (unlike libraries which are great free net sources while on the road), so I'm signing off, for now.
HL
Lovely day hiking in Cardingmill Valley, Church Stretton, Shropshire
Shropshire Union canal route into Chester
Vintage cars at Woodside ferry on the Mersey, Birkenhead, Liverpool
Georgian 'Circus' in Bath
Amazing bio zones created at disused chalk pits in Devon
Severn River at Shrewsbury
Somewhere in the west Midlands
With sister Maggie, and cousin Rowena in the Cotswolds
Friday, 28 September 2007
In Bath
Lovely French commentary on the golden arches!
Helen and Harry reunited - 45 years since grade 7!
I have gained status over here quite quickly!
Love those Cornish names, even if they are horozontally challenged
A windy day with big waves at Bude, Cornwall
Along the Nantes-Brest canal in Brittany
Pontivy, Brittany
Railway viaduct in Morlaix, Brittany
Steve, this sure looked like a Brent boat to me?!! in Morlaix
Breton dancers, Morlaix.
Canadian war cemetery at Benys sur mer, Normandy
A fall morning somewhere in Normandy
Mont St. Michel, Normandy
Weekly market at Dinan, Normandy
National Stud in Lamballe - unfortunately, being Canadian, I didn't qualify to be in the National Stud, but they said I was built like a horse!
Since the last entry I've visited an old friend on the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall, and then cycled through that county via Falmouth, St.Austell, Bodmin, Bude and Barnstaple, and hence by train to Bath for a couple of days prior to linking up with family in Evesham, Worcs.
Some of the paths in Cornwall made me wonder if I might not meet hobbits or goblins around the next vale or moor, such was the detached feeling along some of its more isolated stretches. In the bigger centres it seemed as if a good portion of the UKs seniors were still on summer vacation, and the weather was quite pleasant but cooler until later this week when I was confronted with wind and rain! Quite a combination if you are crossing Bodmin moor on bicycle!
Now that I have uploaded pictures I realise they are in quite a jumble timewise, but hope you enjoy anyway.
HL
!!
Monday, 17 September 2007
Normandy et Brittany
Normandy and Brittany
Well a rainy day in Pontivy, central Brittany, and free internet access gives me time to update this blog. Up to now the weather has been great for the past couple of weeks, in fact ever since leaving Ireland a month ago!
Started on the beaches of Normandy visiting the sites and cemeteries of the DDay landing, and looking over the geography fought for those days 60 years ago. There are still mant who visit these sites, and I've talked to Brits, Americans and Canadians, many with personal stories to draw them here on 'pilgrimage'. Remarkably the artificial harbour, Port Winston, created by the allies at Arromanches, is still quite visible and obvious, on a rather bland shoreline, that only begins to rise more distinctly from the sea further west on the 'American' beaches of Omaha and Utah.
Rode into Bayeux for the day to see the famous tapestry and check out the cathedral. This town was captured so quickly after DDay that it survived intact, unlike Caen, St Malo and Brest that were largely reduced to rubble. Similarly Portsmouth, Plymouth and other s. Eng cities suffered the same pounding during the war, and then suffered from post war architectural reneawal!!
I've discovered that rural France largely wraps up and goes to sleep on Sundays! Last Sunday I arrived in St. Lo, a decent sized town, and you could have shelled the city centre without fear of hurting anyone! Then in the next town that I was considering a spot in, the hotel was actually closed on sundays! Which caused me inadvertantly to ride over 100km that day, but also taught me to beware of Sundays in rural France. Yesterday, Sunday, I stayed put in Pontivy and had a lovely ride along the towpath of the Nantes-Brest canal - lesson learned!
I have to admit I do like the sidewalk cafe scene. Its a ritual each day to sit down with a cqfe au lait and update journal while watching France go by. It also seems that many French make time for this acitivity too, sans journal. the coffee is good and the patisseries are tres bon aussi!
Other sites along the way have been the famous abbey of Mt St Michel, around which the tidal waters rise each day, almost cutting it off from the mainland but for the recently installed causeway (1870 recently that is)
It rises dramatically from the flatness of the bay and is visible for miles along the coast. It's also a hive of tourist activity, even in Sept, so although I was glad to visit, I was relieved to get away to the relative quiet of Dol de Bretagne, an equally impressive ancient site not far away. The old city of Rennes is not far from here by train, also worth a visit for the older medieval quarters since extant, a really good museum, a food market, and all this while my broken spoke is being fixed back in Dol by Romè Cycle.
(Sorry there are no photos to accompany this entry - that will have to wait until another day and another place)
Visited St Malo, the port from which Jacques Cartier sailed to Canada. While his star fell dramatically when all he returned with was 'fools gold', he's still a hero in his home town. The old city of St Malo was completely rebuild after the war to the same plan as its ruined original. But it lost something in the process, and I found it a bit sterile compared to other towns in the region which still house the original buildings eg Rennes, Moncouture, Dinan, Lamballe.
The other thing that may have clouded the experience in St Malo was hostelling again! A night in the company of 3 other peers who displayed prodigious snoring and farting capacity (not me! mon dieu!) I survived the night but only after poking and prodding my bedfellows into temporary periods of quiet!
I have come across Leffe beer on tap here in France - abbey brewed beer from Belgium - magnifique, highly recommended. Ive been sipping these and also watching some of the Coupe de monde du rugby thats going on here, although the French lost their opening game which caused a national funk as expectant hosts.
Well, I think its time to sign off as I have taken up a lot of time on this free terminal.
Bon chance and see you soon.
Henri
Well a rainy day in Pontivy, central Brittany, and free internet access gives me time to update this blog. Up to now the weather has been great for the past couple of weeks, in fact ever since leaving Ireland a month ago!
Started on the beaches of Normandy visiting the sites and cemeteries of the DDay landing, and looking over the geography fought for those days 60 years ago. There are still mant who visit these sites, and I've talked to Brits, Americans and Canadians, many with personal stories to draw them here on 'pilgrimage'. Remarkably the artificial harbour, Port Winston, created by the allies at Arromanches, is still quite visible and obvious, on a rather bland shoreline, that only begins to rise more distinctly from the sea further west on the 'American' beaches of Omaha and Utah.
Rode into Bayeux for the day to see the famous tapestry and check out the cathedral. This town was captured so quickly after DDay that it survived intact, unlike Caen, St Malo and Brest that were largely reduced to rubble. Similarly Portsmouth, Plymouth and other s. Eng cities suffered the same pounding during the war, and then suffered from post war architectural reneawal!!
I've discovered that rural France largely wraps up and goes to sleep on Sundays! Last Sunday I arrived in St. Lo, a decent sized town, and you could have shelled the city centre without fear of hurting anyone! Then in the next town that I was considering a spot in, the hotel was actually closed on sundays! Which caused me inadvertantly to ride over 100km that day, but also taught me to beware of Sundays in rural France. Yesterday, Sunday, I stayed put in Pontivy and had a lovely ride along the towpath of the Nantes-Brest canal - lesson learned!
I have to admit I do like the sidewalk cafe scene. Its a ritual each day to sit down with a cqfe au lait and update journal while watching France go by. It also seems that many French make time for this acitivity too, sans journal. the coffee is good and the patisseries are tres bon aussi!
Other sites along the way have been the famous abbey of Mt St Michel, around which the tidal waters rise each day, almost cutting it off from the mainland but for the recently installed causeway (1870 recently that is)
It rises dramatically from the flatness of the bay and is visible for miles along the coast. It's also a hive of tourist activity, even in Sept, so although I was glad to visit, I was relieved to get away to the relative quiet of Dol de Bretagne, an equally impressive ancient site not far away. The old city of Rennes is not far from here by train, also worth a visit for the older medieval quarters since extant, a really good museum, a food market, and all this while my broken spoke is being fixed back in Dol by Romè Cycle.
(Sorry there are no photos to accompany this entry - that will have to wait until another day and another place)
Visited St Malo, the port from which Jacques Cartier sailed to Canada. While his star fell dramatically when all he returned with was 'fools gold', he's still a hero in his home town. The old city of St Malo was completely rebuild after the war to the same plan as its ruined original. But it lost something in the process, and I found it a bit sterile compared to other towns in the region which still house the original buildings eg Rennes, Moncouture, Dinan, Lamballe.
The other thing that may have clouded the experience in St Malo was hostelling again! A night in the company of 3 other peers who displayed prodigious snoring and farting capacity (not me! mon dieu!) I survived the night but only after poking and prodding my bedfellows into temporary periods of quiet!
I have come across Leffe beer on tap here in France - abbey brewed beer from Belgium - magnifique, highly recommended. Ive been sipping these and also watching some of the Coupe de monde du rugby thats going on here, although the French lost their opening game which caused a national funk as expectant hosts.
Well, I think its time to sign off as I have taken up a lot of time on this free terminal.
Bon chance and see you soon.
Henri
Tuesday, 4 September 2007
More new pics
Salisbury Cathedral
Beside the R.Avon in Salisbury
West gate into old Salisbury
Canadian D Day memorial in the New Forest
First encounter with New Forest ponies!
Recent pics
Roman dolphin mosiac from villa nr Winchester
Same as above, except dolphins are hard to make out!??
Saxon horn for announcing lunch break, Viking raids and other important events.
Amazingly this horn has a range of 5/6 sounds depending on the skill of the player
The Eclipse Inn, Winchester
The type of thatched cottage you just don't see in Ireland!
Harry and Maggie
Purportedly the Round Table, hanging in the Great Hall, Winchester. Fifteen feet in diameter an several tons weight, as it took me a long time to get it back up there after it fell off.
The Mill Bridge Winchester
Winchester Cathedral
Seamans / fishermans chapel in Winchester Cath
Polo at Windsor Great Park - great sport, which is actually dominated by Argentinians!
The disused chalk pit nr Maggies where a jazz night is held annually as a charity fundraiser.
Everyone brings their picnics and enjoys the event in this unique setting, which is now someone's back garden!
Up and over the Downs!
Well, today is Sept 4th and usually I would be returning to school and going through the rituals of a new year, but here I am in s England and later this week its off to France for 2 weeks cycling in Normandy and Brittany. This would seem to be a preferable way to spend September!
The past week has been spent riding through the very pleasant countryside of Hampshire, which is just about tailor made for this activity. The quiet roads still exist, with picturesque villages and enough attractive pubs to be a major distraction. (thankfully I have been most temperate under these most tempting of circumstances). The cycling has entailed short hops of 20-30miles, and the rolling chalk 'downs' of England do not pose the same level of effort as the s. Wales coastline. Winchester and Salisbury are two ancient cathedral towns which have expelled traffic from their narrow medieval cores and retained enough of the distinctive architecture to make them very pleasant to visit; and of course for those of us interested in history - say no more! I was fortunate enough to visit the cathedrals in each city early in the morning, which seems to be the time for the organist to practice. Nothing quite like a cathedral with the organ at full tilt, but boy are they cold and dank places - not a lot of warmth and coziness attached to medieval Christianity, but soaring architecture in the glory of God.
Surprisingly there is still a lot of thatch used for country houses in this area, and apparently it can last as long as conventional roofs, and does make for some nice pictures (see attached)
Speaking of beers and pubs (weren't we?) here are some of the better pints I've tried recently - Hogsback Summer Ale, Ringwood Big Thumper, Fuller's London Pride, and 'Fursty Ferrett!!
Some pub pictures too I think in next post.
One place I didn't visit was Stonehenge which is reported to be most disappointing as the site is now fenced off, so it is circled at a distance, with hundreds of others, while the traffic noise from a major A road rumbles by. There is another equally impressive stone circle farther west at Avebury that i may try to get to later in the trip.
From Salisbury to the New Forest ( new in the 1500s that is) and still with its own set of rules and privileges for people who live there. but a real mecca for walkers and cyclists, who mix with the large wild horse population which wanders freely, somewhat like the holy cows of India, enjoying the benefits of petting (and inevitable feeding!) by the muggles.
First class pub at the White Buck Inn, Burley.
Stayed at YH in Burley - most people in regular YHs seem to be outdoor types, as opposed to indep hostels which seem to cater to young traveller types. I fit in with the other old farts in the YHA hostels, all of us snoring and farting together!
From there to Frymington and by ferry to the Isle of Wight, just a half hour across the Solent from Southampton and Portsmouth. Again nice ride across the island from Yarmouth to Cowes, Newport to Shanklin. Another splendid pub meal at the Steamer Inn, Franklin.
And so on to Portsmouth by ferry the next day, with its strong maritime historical roots, the HMS Victory sitting not far from modern day British naval war vessels in the harbour.
The papers are announcing today that Br. troops are withdrawing from s. Iraq, as the new PM Gordon Brown begins the inevitable pull out, much to George Dubya's disapproval.
And so to my sisters again by last afternoon train, and in the warm welcome , news that she is virtually retired (at 50 minus two months!!) due to company restructuring - naturally she and John are delighted by the turn of events. Good luck to them.
Off to France on Thursday - talk to you later, and hopefully some more pics will show up later today.
Best to one and all.
H
The past week has been spent riding through the very pleasant countryside of Hampshire, which is just about tailor made for this activity. The quiet roads still exist, with picturesque villages and enough attractive pubs to be a major distraction. (thankfully I have been most temperate under these most tempting of circumstances). The cycling has entailed short hops of 20-30miles, and the rolling chalk 'downs' of England do not pose the same level of effort as the s. Wales coastline. Winchester and Salisbury are two ancient cathedral towns which have expelled traffic from their narrow medieval cores and retained enough of the distinctive architecture to make them very pleasant to visit; and of course for those of us interested in history - say no more! I was fortunate enough to visit the cathedrals in each city early in the morning, which seems to be the time for the organist to practice. Nothing quite like a cathedral with the organ at full tilt, but boy are they cold and dank places - not a lot of warmth and coziness attached to medieval Christianity, but soaring architecture in the glory of God.
Surprisingly there is still a lot of thatch used for country houses in this area, and apparently it can last as long as conventional roofs, and does make for some nice pictures (see attached)
Speaking of beers and pubs (weren't we?) here are some of the better pints I've tried recently - Hogsback Summer Ale, Ringwood Big Thumper, Fuller's London Pride, and 'Fursty Ferrett!!
Some pub pictures too I think in next post.
One place I didn't visit was Stonehenge which is reported to be most disappointing as the site is now fenced off, so it is circled at a distance, with hundreds of others, while the traffic noise from a major A road rumbles by. There is another equally impressive stone circle farther west at Avebury that i may try to get to later in the trip.
From Salisbury to the New Forest ( new in the 1500s that is) and still with its own set of rules and privileges for people who live there. but a real mecca for walkers and cyclists, who mix with the large wild horse population which wanders freely, somewhat like the holy cows of India, enjoying the benefits of petting (and inevitable feeding!) by the muggles.
First class pub at the White Buck Inn, Burley.
Stayed at YH in Burley - most people in regular YHs seem to be outdoor types, as opposed to indep hostels which seem to cater to young traveller types. I fit in with the other old farts in the YHA hostels, all of us snoring and farting together!
From there to Frymington and by ferry to the Isle of Wight, just a half hour across the Solent from Southampton and Portsmouth. Again nice ride across the island from Yarmouth to Cowes, Newport to Shanklin. Another splendid pub meal at the Steamer Inn, Franklin.
And so on to Portsmouth by ferry the next day, with its strong maritime historical roots, the HMS Victory sitting not far from modern day British naval war vessels in the harbour.
The papers are announcing today that Br. troops are withdrawing from s. Iraq, as the new PM Gordon Brown begins the inevitable pull out, much to George Dubya's disapproval.
And so to my sisters again by last afternoon train, and in the warm welcome , news that she is virtually retired (at 50 minus two months!!) due to company restructuring - naturally she and John are delighted by the turn of events. Good luck to them.
Off to France on Thursday - talk to you later, and hopefully some more pics will show up later today.
Best to one and all.
H
Sunday, 26 August 2007
Now in S.England
Well if you've looked at the blog the last report was from Sligo, but just yesterday I uploaded a few photos for the first time. So what has happened since Sligo, and how come I'm now in the south of England.
Progressed from Sligo to Westport where the weather continued cool, blustery and uncertain.
The pilgrimage mountain of Croagh Patrick never appeared from behind its curtain of cloud during the day I was there. Very entertaining soccer game between Westport United and Ballina Town, with a 3-2 victory for the home team in a no holes barred, full blooded contest.
However it required a pint of stout and a Bushmills to get my blood flowing again after the game. Then on to Matt Molloys for a session of trad. music. Nice hostel at the Old Mill.
Other German cyclists who'd come up from the s.w. and reported wet and blustery conditions.
And Ruth, the Engish women working with Palestinians in Israel- nice lady with good friends in Lund.
Great morning ride to Galway rolling quickly over the plains of Mayo. 75miles in a morning!
Decided there to make transition to England seeking out more clement weather ie summer
So on Monday bussed from Galway to Rosslare and hence by ferry to Fishguard.
Bingo, Tuesday morning I'm riding in sunny and windy conditions along the Celtic trail from F'guard to Swansea.
The Pembrokeshire coast is looking good with sheep and cattle in abundance. St Davids a lovely 'city' with ancient cathedral, (see picture) and lots of outdoor pursuits on offer. On to the sands of Newgate, then Norton Haven, and Broad Haven. Nice beach and great YHostel with meals and overlooking the shoreline! Talk about gannets!
And next three days continue wonderful coastal views and great weather. (see Tenby picture),
staying at Laugharn (Dylan Thomas' writing post) and then Burry Port (great Harbour House b+b) and so to Swansea and then the train to Hampshire to join Maggie and John for the bank holiday weekend. Nice to have a home away from home for a few days, and see family again.
Hoping to see cousins David and Rowena tomorrow.
And then head on south and west on Tuesday, to Winchester and the New Forest for a week or so. And beyond that France calls!
Best to all from sunny south of Britain.
PS watched polo this pm at Windsor Great Park- nimble and fast ponies on huge park like field
Progressed from Sligo to Westport where the weather continued cool, blustery and uncertain.
The pilgrimage mountain of Croagh Patrick never appeared from behind its curtain of cloud during the day I was there. Very entertaining soccer game between Westport United and Ballina Town, with a 3-2 victory for the home team in a no holes barred, full blooded contest.
However it required a pint of stout and a Bushmills to get my blood flowing again after the game. Then on to Matt Molloys for a session of trad. music. Nice hostel at the Old Mill.
Other German cyclists who'd come up from the s.w. and reported wet and blustery conditions.
And Ruth, the Engish women working with Palestinians in Israel- nice lady with good friends in Lund.
Great morning ride to Galway rolling quickly over the plains of Mayo. 75miles in a morning!
Decided there to make transition to England seeking out more clement weather ie summer
So on Monday bussed from Galway to Rosslare and hence by ferry to Fishguard.
Bingo, Tuesday morning I'm riding in sunny and windy conditions along the Celtic trail from F'guard to Swansea.
The Pembrokeshire coast is looking good with sheep and cattle in abundance. St Davids a lovely 'city' with ancient cathedral, (see picture) and lots of outdoor pursuits on offer. On to the sands of Newgate, then Norton Haven, and Broad Haven. Nice beach and great YHostel with meals and overlooking the shoreline! Talk about gannets!
And next three days continue wonderful coastal views and great weather. (see Tenby picture),
staying at Laugharn (Dylan Thomas' writing post) and then Burry Port (great Harbour House b+b) and so to Swansea and then the train to Hampshire to join Maggie and John for the bank holiday weekend. Nice to have a home away from home for a few days, and see family again.
Hoping to see cousins David and Rowena tomorrow.
And then head on south and west on Tuesday, to Winchester and the New Forest for a week or so. And beyond that France calls!
Best to all from sunny south of Britain.
PS watched polo this pm at Windsor Great Park- nimble and fast ponies on huge park like field
Saturday, 25 August 2007
cycling07 again
Now I've got the hang of posting pics - here are some more, hopefully.
Best to all at home
As the bike box opened!
Bridge over the river in Sligo
Yes, I did have to ride up this late in the day:(
The beach at Tenby, Pembrokeshire, S. Wales, on a beautiful summer day.
Best to all at home
As the bike box opened!
Bridge over the river in Sligo
Yes, I did have to ride up this late in the day:(
The beach at Tenby, Pembrokeshire, S. Wales, on a beautiful summer day.
Cycle07 pics
Finally here are some pics from the trip.
Sorry some need to be viewed lying down!
Harry
Leaving Belfast
Cycling motorway in Ireland!!
Beautiful Glencar in Co Sligo
St Davids Cathedral in St Davids in Pembrokeshire, Wales
Some names in S. Wales
Sorry some need to be viewed lying down!
Harry
Leaving Belfast
Cycling motorway in Ireland!!
Beautiful Glencar in Co Sligo
St Davids Cathedral in St Davids in Pembrokeshire, Wales
Some names in S. Wales
Friday, 17 August 2007
All points west
Since last posting I cycled from Armagh to Enniskillen, and then on to Sligo ( old stomping ground of the McKims) The variable Irish weather has continued, but thankfully only briefs showers rather than sustained rainfall. Blustery and cool.
Yesterday morning leaving Enniskillen the sun was so bright that I put on sunglasses for the first time. Thirty five minutes later at 9:15 the shades were being replaced by the rainjacket as a strong shower came through. I should have realised it was tempting fate to put them on!
Riding the bike usually feels good, and my technique I think works well. Some areas of excitement are dogs and large trucks. Periodically I arouse the interest of a farm/family hound who clearly wants to see me off the territory as quickly as possible. Its always a juddgement call as to the tactics surrounding each incident. On 2/3 occasions I've been on a downhill run so have been able to use momentum to outstrip the following canines - " in my dust suckers" is the line that comes to mind. yesterday however as I wheeled sedately past a house, there was a Rottweiller playing soccer, just like Levi. He immediately showed interest in me, but thankfully was quite happy to remain on his own lawn, and my heart reachedinto the back of my throat.
Large trucks are common, and always emit a prayer/cry of thanks when they successfully pass, leaving me upright and not flattened roadkill ( the unfortunate outcome for many small mammals I come across each day)
Well, I'm going to sign off as i'm still not entirely sure a) any one can read these b) anyone really cares, so thanks if you are among my fans, and I'll check in again in a few days.
From the west
HL
Yesterday morning leaving Enniskillen the sun was so bright that I put on sunglasses for the first time. Thirty five minutes later at 9:15 the shades were being replaced by the rainjacket as a strong shower came through. I should have realised it was tempting fate to put them on!
Riding the bike usually feels good, and my technique I think works well. Some areas of excitement are dogs and large trucks. Periodically I arouse the interest of a farm/family hound who clearly wants to see me off the territory as quickly as possible. Its always a juddgement call as to the tactics surrounding each incident. On 2/3 occasions I've been on a downhill run so have been able to use momentum to outstrip the following canines - " in my dust suckers" is the line that comes to mind. yesterday however as I wheeled sedately past a house, there was a Rottweiller playing soccer, just like Levi. He immediately showed interest in me, but thankfully was quite happy to remain on his own lawn, and my heart reachedinto the back of my throat.
Large trucks are common, and always emit a prayer/cry of thanks when they successfully pass, leaving me upright and not flattened roadkill ( the unfortunate outcome for many small mammals I come across each day)
Well, I'm going to sign off as i'm still not entirely sure a) any one can read these b) anyone really cares, so thanks if you are among my fans, and I'll check in again in a few days.
From the west
HL
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
Well, it's official, the cycle07 is underway. Spend Sunday cycling south from Belfast to Newcastle, and along the way found some lovely quiet roads, some sunny beaches! and a thundershower or two! Bicycle working well and 75kms covered.
After an overnight in youth hostel, up and off at 8am on Monday morning along the coast south of newcastle around to Newry and hence up the canal towpath to Scarva. After the busy traffic of part one, the towpath was quite delightful. The weather was cloudy and cool at one point, followed by sunny and pleasant the next ie typical ireland. The final section of the day was joining a national cycle route across country to Armagh, ancient ecclesiastical capital of Ireland.
Jaysus Murphy and Joseph, it was up and down and up again. The route seemed to go out of its way to stick to quiet 3rd class roads, which is great if you want to meander traffic free, but if you want to make kms it was not the route. Seemed to take a while and those thundershowers were still around, requiring quick dives for sheltering hedgerows and overhanging trees, which were fortunately available when needed! Arrived in Armagh after 100+kms a bit knackered, but resolute! Hostel booked up by a group so off to local B+B. Lovely big, old house with warm welcome and warm shower. And a lovely puppy welcome from Mac, the 4mos old Eng sheepdog, who gave me quite the lickin'. Quite a lovely evening down by Armagh Mall, not the shopping sort, but a green commons in the middle of town.
Staying put to recuperate, and checking out local history today, and then on west I think.
Imagine this, its raining today (well drizzle and grey overcast) - the weather has been generally abominable in ireland this summer. Last weekend numerous outdoor events were rained out all over the country. The previous Can cyclists to stay at the same B+B gave up due to rain! wimps
Well enough prattling from me, time to find a good coffee, and I'll try to figure out how to add some pics to this site.
HL in Ire.
Spending the
After an overnight in youth hostel, up and off at 8am on Monday morning along the coast south of newcastle around to Newry and hence up the canal towpath to Scarva. After the busy traffic of part one, the towpath was quite delightful. The weather was cloudy and cool at one point, followed by sunny and pleasant the next ie typical ireland. The final section of the day was joining a national cycle route across country to Armagh, ancient ecclesiastical capital of Ireland.
Jaysus Murphy and Joseph, it was up and down and up again. The route seemed to go out of its way to stick to quiet 3rd class roads, which is great if you want to meander traffic free, but if you want to make kms it was not the route. Seemed to take a while and those thundershowers were still around, requiring quick dives for sheltering hedgerows and overhanging trees, which were fortunately available when needed! Arrived in Armagh after 100+kms a bit knackered, but resolute! Hostel booked up by a group so off to local B+B. Lovely big, old house with warm welcome and warm shower. And a lovely puppy welcome from Mac, the 4mos old Eng sheepdog, who gave me quite the lickin'. Quite a lovely evening down by Armagh Mall, not the shopping sort, but a green commons in the middle of town.
Staying put to recuperate, and checking out local history today, and then on west I think.
Imagine this, its raining today (well drizzle and grey overcast) - the weather has been generally abominable in ireland this summer. Last weekend numerous outdoor events were rained out all over the country. The previous Can cyclists to stay at the same B+B gave up due to rain! wimps
Well enough prattling from me, time to find a good coffee, and I'll try to figure out how to add some pics to this site.
HL in Ire.
Spending the
Thursday, 9 August 2007
Thursday in Belfast
Well now that I have created a blog, the test is how to make it accessible to others!!
So Kim, as you will probably be the first to find out - good luck!
I'll send an email with the code!! Sounds like a Harry Potter mystery, but this one is a harry lewis version. The quest is to understand technology!
Lovely sunny day here (2nd in a row)
Planning to leave here on sunday and proceed down the east coast of Ireland, but have just checked with Stena line ferry services and they may not offer bicycle service on my planned sailing route to Britain:(
Gotta go
H
So Kim, as you will probably be the first to find out - good luck!
I'll send an email with the code!! Sounds like a Harry Potter mystery, but this one is a harry lewis version. The quest is to understand technology!
Lovely sunny day here (2nd in a row)
Planning to leave here on sunday and proceed down the east coast of Ireland, but have just checked with Stena line ferry services and they may not offer bicycle service on my planned sailing route to Britain:(
Gotta go
H
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
Arrived in Belfast
How does one cycle from one end of Ireland to the other? Along the coast, through the middle?
This the question of the day as I head into Belfast to gather local info and expertise.
Unfortunately most people are completely car oriented, so motorway talk is rife, especially as the new freeway to Dublin has just opened up in the south, making it a 1.5 hr drive now.
there were 2 80yr old canadian on my flight who are cylcing from Cork to Derry in 2 weeks - hard core crusties; I wish them well, but have some reservations about their chances of really making it.
Well this is my first blog from beautiful Belfast.
Adios and into the traffic I go!
Best to all
H
This the question of the day as I head into Belfast to gather local info and expertise.
Unfortunately most people are completely car oriented, so motorway talk is rife, especially as the new freeway to Dublin has just opened up in the south, making it a 1.5 hr drive now.
there were 2 80yr old canadian on my flight who are cylcing from Cork to Derry in 2 weeks - hard core crusties; I wish them well, but have some reservations about their chances of really making it.
Well this is my first blog from beautiful Belfast.
Adios and into the traffic I go!
Best to all
H
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