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
Sunday, 26 August 2007
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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