Friday 19th September
Today Mileage miles 76 ∑Total to date 626 miles J
Mr Bruce decided that he wanted to go the “scenic” route today – adding a few miles to the journey and extra muscles to Joanie’s legs! We cycled up into the mountains of Mourne at the start of the day – heavy on the legs but beautiful hilly countryside. First stop at Dromore amid union jack flags – we thought they were just glad to see us but later realised that it was a unionist town (lucky for us!) James brought iced buns from the local bakers which were scrummy. We also got a donation from a little old lady in Dromore. Thank you Marta!
Next step was difficult – cycling through Lisburn and on to Belfast, continuous city. We went through all the infamous suburbs of Belfast, eg the Falls Road and the Crumlin Road. The Police stations were a sight to be seen – fortified under wire cages. Flags flying everywhere, “God Save the Queen” painted on the roads – truly loyalist country. We were told afterwards that there is a cycle path from Lisburn to Carrickfergus straight thru Belfast, but hindsight is a wonderful thing..!
It was then on to the coast road to Carrickfergus (John’s coast road). We had a stop at Whiteabbey, along the coast road to Larne where we met a guy called Elvis with his friend, a bricklayer, both of whom were on bikes. Elvis was described by his friend as being the type of chap that “if you told him your brother was Prince Charles he would believe you!” The other chap had an old Raleigh bike that he had done up with gold spray and black paint and had coloured beads on his wheels – he had a bike full of bling! Elvis had a number plate which said “Las Vegas” – we weren’t sure whether he was coming from or going to it! Bling bike man told us a couple of dirty jokes that we had heard before. John and Tina managed to get Tina’s bike shoe fixed for free in Carrickfergus, seem to be getting lots of freebies in Ireland.
We journeyed on to Larne via the coast road, arriving at the B & B about 6.30pm. We were met on the road by Francis, a fellow Israel cyclist who showed us where the accommodation was. Francis has recently had a hip replacement operation and advised us that she was slow on the hills. She then proceeded to do a wheelie (really!) and shot off. Francis had booked a meal at a local restaurant, the Kiln Inn, a steak night and she’s a vegetarian. The feast of steaks was supplemented by no fewer than 5 lots of tatties – chips, garlic pots, new pots, potato cubes and something called “champ” (which Corinne thought was the name of a dog food but is actually mash and spring onions).
Congratulations to Stephen and Anne Dunphy who became grandparents again, Joan cant remember what day the happy arrival was as her brain has turned to mush!!
Today Mileage miles 76 ∑Total to date 626 miles J
Mr Bruce decided that he wanted to go the “scenic” route today – adding a few miles to the journey and extra muscles to Joanie’s legs! We cycled up into the mountains of Mourne at the start of the day – heavy on the legs but beautiful hilly countryside. First stop at Dromore amid union jack flags – we thought they were just glad to see us but later realised that it was a unionist town (lucky for us!) James brought iced buns from the local bakers which were scrummy. We also got a donation from a little old lady in Dromore. Thank you Marta!
Next step was difficult – cycling through Lisburn and on to Belfast, continuous city. We went through all the infamous suburbs of Belfast, eg the Falls Road and the Crumlin Road. The Police stations were a sight to be seen – fortified under wire cages. Flags flying everywhere, “God Save the Queen” painted on the roads – truly loyalist country. We were told afterwards that there is a cycle path from Lisburn to Carrickfergus straight thru Belfast, but hindsight is a wonderful thing..!
It was then on to the coast road to Carrickfergus (John’s coast road). We had a stop at Whiteabbey, along the coast road to Larne where we met a guy called Elvis with his friend, a bricklayer, both of whom were on bikes. Elvis was described by his friend as being the type of chap that “if you told him your brother was Prince Charles he would believe you!” The other chap had an old Raleigh bike that he had done up with gold spray and black paint and had coloured beads on his wheels – he had a bike full of bling! Elvis had a number plate which said “Las Vegas” – we weren’t sure whether he was coming from or going to it! Bling bike man told us a couple of dirty jokes that we had heard before. John and Tina managed to get Tina’s bike shoe fixed for free in Carrickfergus, seem to be getting lots of freebies in Ireland.
We journeyed on to Larne via the coast road, arriving at the B & B about 6.30pm. We were met on the road by Francis, a fellow Israel cyclist who showed us where the accommodation was. Francis has recently had a hip replacement operation and advised us that she was slow on the hills. She then proceeded to do a wheelie (really!) and shot off. Francis had booked a meal at a local restaurant, the Kiln Inn, a steak night and she’s a vegetarian. The feast of steaks was supplemented by no fewer than 5 lots of tatties – chips, garlic pots, new pots, potato cubes and something called “champ” (which Corinne thought was the name of a dog food but is actually mash and spring onions).
Congratulations to Stephen and Anne Dunphy who became grandparents again, Joan cant remember what day the happy arrival was as her brain has turned to mush!!
1 comment:
hiya its jude
gran is woundering if you are home for t on fri
love ya loads (lol)
cya on friday
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