10 years since I cycled Land’s End to John O’Groats, so I thought it was about time I gave Ireland a visit and cycle Ireland, End to End. Originally I planned to nip over the Irish Sea and cycle a Loop round Northern Ireland but then I thought why not E2E and so the planning began. Logistics first.....which I love, how to get there and back. Land’s End was easier...so hubby Murray said “Why don’t I join you and come with the car.” The tempting offer to have my bags carried was irresistible, problem solved. As I write this, Sunday, we are in Stranraer, catching the Cairn Ryan to Larne ferry tomorrow morning. We will be in Goleen, a small rural village in County Cork on the south western tip of Ireland by Tuesday afternoon. Goleen is about 6 miles north of Mizen Head from where I start cycling on Wednesday. I plan to cycle via Bantry over the Priests Leap Pass to Kenmare. Murray will go ahead with the car and find our B&B in Kenmare then probably cycle a Loop in the area, there appears to be some challenging routes. I will roll in whenever !! Hoping for fine weather and most importantly a tail wind, the west coast of Ireland could be a bit unforgiving, anyway can’t wait to get started and enjoy Ireland. See you on the road.
Notes on today: Traveling south from Ardrossan to Stranraer today was both stunning and depressing. The hillsides were yellowed with gorse and bathed in blue from the Bluebells, such a beautiful country, the sea to our right looking over to Arran and Alisa Craig. However some of the small towns we passed through were grey and bleak, long narrow High Streets with boarded up shops, litter, young people lounging aimlessly about, fags and mobile phones in hand. Maybe because it was a Sunday, I don’t know, but they had a feeling of forlornness and emptiness. Sad to see. Also a least 300 bikers ( motorbikes ) passed us heading north, wonder where they had been or where they were going, intrigued.
Our B&B Stranraer
