The Finish...Ireland E2E

Day 8: Letterkenny to Malin Head. 51.18 miles, Elevation 2794 ft.

Last day and it's dry but will it last, don't think so, rain is forecast, wind from south east, on my backside once more, yeah ! Couldn't face eggs so just had, yogurt, toast and some fruit, it will do.
Letterkenny was very busy but I knew my roundabout turnings, so was soon on the Derry Road, then veering north. Again a good hard shoulder but I took a couple of side road detours, just to get some peace from the traffic. Past Inch Island, Lough Swilly on my left, some beautiful beaches, calm, still no rain. Didn't see Murray, he must have passed when I detoured. Past lovely Buncrana where at one time I planned to catch the Rathmullen/Buncrana ferry, alternative route, but the ferry doesn't start till 1st June, how inconvenient. Brilliant road surfaces but losing time as I am taking so many photos, hey ho what's the rush ?  Some steep ramps but the traffic is light and considerate, sky still clear, some sunshine, still no rain. Into Malin village, signs beginning to appear for Malin Head, exciting. Murray has texted, he is there, steep hill to finish, I am 8 miles out. Nearly there then I see it, Malin Head, a World War 2 observation tower on top of a hill, cars and buses parked.  I know Murray will be watching but I have to stop for a photo " What are you doing, woman, just get here." Oh god, it is steep but nothing an Arran Belle can't cope with. Then I see Murray, a group of people cheering, a bell (a cow bell) being rung, and I am over the finish line. People are congratulating me, this isn't what I expected but wonderful.  There are two stalls, gifts and coffee/ cake. The lady from one of the stalls rings the bell when she knows a Mizen/Malin cyclist is coming in, so kind. A New Zealand man takes my photo and asks a lot of questions.  Murray presents me with some bubbly and gift plague he has just bought at the stall, my loyal support in so many ways, thanks a million.  I thought there was nothing at MH, desolate, the road just ended, but this has been wonderful.  After some delicious coffee/walnut cake/ green tea and more photos we get ready to leave, a quick wave to Arran across the water. Rain is suddenly in the air, what perfect timing, what a day, what 8 wonderful days. Ireland you have been amazing, loved it.  Till the next time  ( Will post again with some thoughts of my journey).
Totals:   461.6 miles  Elevation: 21,779 ft

Lough Swilly 

Rathmullan/Buncrana Pier

Lovely Beaches

Malin Head

Murray Spots Me!

Nearly There

Always a Hill at the End !

Last Turn of the Wheels !

Ireland E2E...Happy Days

My Loyal Support

Arran is Behind Me

Still Dry

Love It....although I did 743 kms

Day 7: Manorhamilton to Letterkenny. 67.32 miles. Elevation 2761 ft

Happy Birthday to the very lovely Murray, my wonderful support team, in more ways than one, couldn't have done this trip without you. Here he is enjoying his birthday breakfast.

Love you !

Sun shining, happy days, headwind, not so happy !! Heading back to the west coast and part of the Wild Atlantic Way, through Bundoran, Ballyshannon, Donegal.  Headwind not as strong as other day so not an issue. Met two fellow, touring, cyclists who had parked their car and were touring the west coast, the lovely Sicco and Mica from the Netherlands. They were laden with panniers and very envious of my set up, felt a bit of a cheat. They were struggling with the hills, no wonder ! This was a day of two halves...first 35 miles scenic, quiet, coastal roads with little traffic. Then 30 miles onthe busy N15 and N13 to Letterkenny,  hoping for a good hard shoulder.  Ballyshannon is where rock/blues singer/songwriter Rory Gallagher was born and they hold a big international Music festival each year, lovely place.  Stopped for my usual two biscuit lunch in Donegal then headed onto the dreaded N17. All good though, wide hard shoulder, wind not too bad, lorries sweeping me along in their downdraft.  Then about 3 miles of no shoulder, heavy traffic, pulled into driveways to let traffic past, didn't last too long.  Again Murray came out to join me with 10 miles to go, we met up with local cyclist Niall Murine,  interested in my trip, another follower on Strava. Tonight we had the most delicious meal in a nearby hotel followed by the usual '99'. There are Mr Whippy's everywhere, one of the highlights of our trip, must be putting on weight ?  One more day to go. Loving the journey.

My Friend !

Bundoran

Ballyshannon

What a name !

Count Down traffic Lights

Donegal Square

Sicco and Mica

Letterkenny for Me

Matrimony Tree

2 Biscuit Lunch in Donegal

Cycle Lane...would be rude not to.

Birthday Boy's Dinner

Day 6: Castlebar to Manorhamilton. 67.25 miles, Elevation 2380 ft

Raining ugh, porridge was ugh, fresh fruit and yoghurt, YESSS!!!  By the time I left the rain was off, lovely rural roads for the first 20 miles, sun shining, then suddenly a very lumpy shower that soaked me.  This was to be the pattern for the rest of the day but fortunately that first shower was the heaviest.  Rain, soaked, sun, dry out, rain, soaked, sun, dry out.  Thought the narrow road ahead was closed but just two road workmen, Austin and Declan making repairs.  Austin's wife comes from Hamilton, can't understand how they immediately realise I am from Scotland, good craic to ease the next few miles.  Again I didn't stop, apart from photos and chat, felt fine.  Met the lovely Farmer Brendan, rolled umbrella in hand, heading to inspect his sheep, "there could be some stragglers".  He was very broad Irish, I couldn't understand him and he couldn't understand me, an interesting conversation.  For some time I was on the busy N17, fast cars and lorries, but no problems as there was an excellent hard shoulder. Much easier day today., a tailwind so made good progress.  Murray met me with 10 miles to go, amazing in this warren of back roads. It is his birthday tomorrow, Tuesday 28the May, hope it is a good one. Have decided to head for Letterkenny tomorrow as the weather seems to be closing in, later in the week. Nothing to be gained from heading north up the west coast to Adara.  Devoured another great meal tonight in an old Irish Pub.  Left mayo, now in County Leitrin. Loving the open road.

Sligo for Me !

Suns out...Good Roads.

The Lovely Austin and Declan

Rains On

I Might ?

The Lovely Farmer Brendan

Rural County Mayo

Dinosaur...Middle of No-Where

And Friend ?

The Neighbours are a Care Home..Oh Dear

Wow !

Resting After Another Hard Day

Day 5: Clarinbridge to Castlebar. 57.2 miles, Elevation 1563 ft.

Sun was out, porridge and fruit for breakfast, feeling fit, all looking good for the day ahead, bit of a breeze !  A lot of club cyclists on the road in the Galway area this morning, large groups, romping along giving me a wave.  Suddenly some were cycling with me but turning off at a junction ahead where two ladies were directing them. Stopped for a chat with the lovely Julie and friend, it was a charity cycle from Cork to Roscommon in aid of Epilepsy, Tour de Gaggs, again all the change in my pocket. Good craic with both, Julie finding me on Instagram, "fair play to you, Janice, fair play".  The wind was getting up, full headwind from the NW, certainly not on my backside. Tough, head down,  getting it done, definitely a day for just getting from A to B. Such a shame as the sun was out and the route was undulating, should have been flying.  Rich farmland, I have never seen so many herds of beef cattle. I had planned my route to skirt Lough Corrib and Lough Mask, they were there to my left but I couldn't see them because of trees and high hedges, just catching a glimpse at the lough head, disappointing. Maybe for the best as the wind was buffeting me, at times almost bringing me to a standstill, at the lough side it would have been stronger. At a photo stop the wind blew the bike out my hand, clattering on the road, but thankfully no damage down. Really impressed with Mr Garmin, never putting a wheel wrong, guiding me through lanes, alleys and roads. Only stopped for about 5 mins to eat 2 biscuits, didn't feel hungry today. Hard going, shoulders, lower back, bum all sore. Give me hills and a tailwind any day over headwind and flat.  Just a grind.  Murray cycled about 17 miles today meeting up with me on his return to Castlebar. Ate a huge dinner tonight, always mashed potatoes, followed by a Mr Whippy 99, apparently the Irish love their ice cream. Think the wind should be on my backside tomorrow, hope so. Still loving it though.

The Lovely Murray...Getting ready for the road

Julie and Friend...Tour de Gaggs

Hope Not ???

Rolling farmland

2 Biscuit Lunch Stop

Mr Garmin

Route planner

Beautiful Church

Another amazing house in middle of no-where.

Lough...at last

It is really Murray's Guiness !

Turket, ham, stuffing, veg, mashed potatoes...ate the lot !