Living on the ground, cooking in all weathers, meeting lovely people (honestly, not one nasty experience - well from the humanoids anyway - and even the "dogaroids" were all woof and slobber!
Amazingly our bodies stood up to the test once again and had we stayed on the bike the end result may have been different. More on that subject from Val.
We loved Ireland, the weather was "iffy" to say the least, but as the Irish weatherman used to say each morning;
"There may be patches of sunshine in between showers and some of those could be heavy otherwise the outlook is more of the same"
Cold and wet was the antithesis of the welcome we received from the people.
In Kilmore Quay,May opened the front door of her Harbour Lights B and B on a wet day with no sunshine.
"What are you doin' out in this weather, come on in and get yourselves warm"
She was the quintessential Irish Landlady, talkative and kindly - gave us the choice of two rooms, stowed our bikes in her shed, allowed us to drape our dripping wet tent over her woodpile (which took up the car space) and let us cook tea in her kitchen when we discovered the local fish and chip shop closed early on Monday evenings.
Val loved the decor at Harbour View, though May had been hurt by a poor review which was critical.
As we rode past her house, Vanessa sent one of her kids running to ask if we would like a cup of tea.
Chrissy, turning into her driveway leapt out of her car as we rode into her orbit with the same invitation.
After meeting, and getting a potted history of the family members in a photo on the wall, she made us ham and mustard sandwiches before introducing us to her stuffed exhibits - a present from her sister, with whom it seems, she is still on good terms.
In the village of St Mullin, nestling above the Barron River the local publican invited us to camp on the village green, at the end of which were the ruins of a 7th Century Monastery.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mullin%27s
Where modern day gravestones mingled with those from the past -
Here Lies
Art
King of Leinster
Faithful Defender of his Country
Poisoned at New Ross
1417
The path along the "Barrow Line", as the canal was called, was a smooth grass track and the locals were campaigning to keep it that way.
They were also opposed to a new power transmission line and elsewhere wind turbines, so once again demonstrating that the world over, we have similarities to our old friend Don Quixote
While the canal was almost devoid of activity, there were a few people living aboard narrow boats among the many that were crying out for some love and attention.
Val poses in "Peg Washington's Lane". Peg was a washerwoman in days gone by, who, when her path to the river was threatened by the construction of a new building, was able to negotiate inclusion of a lane "wide enough for a woman her size" which indicates she was "just a slip of a girl!".
Don enjoyed Ireland so much he was in a constant state of levitation.
Kilkenny we loved
And went to a Hurling game "The Fastest Game on Grass"
were out having a hit.
A friendly Robin at Kilkenny Campground
Topping up the tank on the Grand Canal bank, two days from Dublin.
Some people like to take all their friends camping as well, this unit appears capable of around 40.
On a wet day in Dublin city, we were about as miserable as these figures in the riverside "Famine Memorial"
And now the very , very last word from ME, Val.
Just one week out from coming home I damaged my knee. There was a loud bang, as I turned,
even Don could hear it, and I was stranded, on one leg, in a very quiet lane in Angelsea.
Treating my leg with frozen peas.
The delightful, and kind farm folk, whom we had just met and arrange to camp on their ground, helped us. Delyth delivered a hot roast dinner to the tent.
And next morning Don found the slugs doing the washing up.
Gwyndaf took Don half way across Wales to find a hire car. I enjoyed an ambulance ride to Bangor Hospital, and the bikes dismantled, nestled in the car.
So the next week was spent as 'car campers" . We saw some lovely N.T houses and industrial history.
We ate our sandwiches, in expensive car parks, and viewed the country side through a veneer of rain on the wind screen.
We obeyed the Tom Tom, frequently 'turning round when safe to do so. We missed the casual stops by the road to take photos and chat to people.
We missed the easy of scooting round a city center on the bike. And, strangely, after all our moaning, we missed the challenge of the weather, wind and rain.
On our last night in UK, we luxuriated at "Ash House Farm" B and B in Northwich
I apologise to the Physiotherapist, 'I am sorry I am so impatient", (about my knee).
He kindly said, "No. you are motivated"
And so I am, I look forward to more long bikes rides, and will go and do my exercises right away.
Thanks for Blogging along with us.
