Dad has crossed the border and is now in Northern Ireland ... not that there was anything to indicate a border, he just noticed that the signs read mph rather than kph ! He's had a good day on the bike. Weather been good with just a slight bit of rain but Dad nipped for a coffee and by the time he came out it had stopped.
Dad had a good night in the hostel last night. He got chatting to a couple of Aussie women (mother and daughter) who tracing their family tree.
This morning Dad set off about 9.00 am. The route took him through Urbalreagh and through the lanes to Culdaff where Dad picked up an early coffee from a shop. He then headed onto Gleneely where he stopped for a coffee and a scone. It was then onto Moville down by the edge of the Lough Foyle. Dad then cycled around the coast line to Carrakeel where he stopped for lunch in a pub of a pot of tea and sandwiches. Dad headed onto Muff and into Northern Ireland. He then headed through Culmore and onto Derry/Londonderry. At one point the road was that busy that Dad cycled on the pavement (he has since found the cycle path !).
Dad is staying at the Derry City Independent Hostel. He got there about 3.00 and had a shower and then went for a walk about. He has walked the City Walls which took about one and half hours as he kept stopping and reading up on all the history. When he rang he was sitting on the wall (a nursery rhyme comes to mind !). Tonight Dad is heading to Weatherspoons for tea (that'll be a bit cheaper than the Yellow Pepper) and a pint and then of to the Guild Hall for some Irish music.
Tomorrow he'll be following the coast around the Lough Foyle.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Day 29 - Malin Head
Well Dad has been gone a month now and to celebrate he's had a great day on the bike. Blue skies and little wind and a great day for riding your bike. He's now in Malin Head the most northerly part of Ireland and at the best hostel so far on the trip the Sand Rock Holiday Hostel. Great views and great hospitality !
Dad had a good night last night. He went to the Yellow Pepper Restaurant but it was a bit pricey (we knew that from looking at the menu). He had hake and vegetables and a small glass of coke and it came to 23 Euros ! However he did say it was very nice. After he'd eaten he nipped in the pub next door and managed to catch the football. Dad got a police escort back to the hostel ... a car was out keeping an eye a small gang of lads and it drove up to the hostel while Dad was walking back behind it !
Dad had an early start this morning but it took him half an hour to find his way out of Letterkenny so he didn't get on route until gone 9.00. It was very cold this morning and Dad stopped off in Newtown Cunningham for a coffee at 10.00 ish to warm him through. Once he'd had that he was fine. He headed off on the N13 which was a busy road but it had a wide hard shoulder so Dad could ride on that. He headed through Speenogue where he picked up the quieter roads to Burntfoot and Fahan. Dad had a nice ride along the coastal roads to Buncrana where he stopped for coffee and scrambled eggs. Dad then cycled onto Carndonagh where he stopped for lunch. It was then onto Malin where he did a shop - he can't afford to eat out again tonight! He cycled out to Ballyhillion and the lighthouse and had his photo taken and then finally onto Malin Head.
Tonight on the menu is Cup a soup, Irish Stew and green beans followed by yoghurt and banana. I bet that comes a lot cheaper than his evening meal last night !
Tomorrow he is heading for Derry and will then be in Northern Ireland ... that means cheaper phone calls !
Dad had a good night last night. He went to the Yellow Pepper Restaurant but it was a bit pricey (we knew that from looking at the menu). He had hake and vegetables and a small glass of coke and it came to 23 Euros ! However he did say it was very nice. After he'd eaten he nipped in the pub next door and managed to catch the football. Dad got a police escort back to the hostel ... a car was out keeping an eye a small gang of lads and it drove up to the hostel while Dad was walking back behind it !
Dad had an early start this morning but it took him half an hour to find his way out of Letterkenny so he didn't get on route until gone 9.00. It was very cold this morning and Dad stopped off in Newtown Cunningham for a coffee at 10.00 ish to warm him through. Once he'd had that he was fine. He headed off on the N13 which was a busy road but it had a wide hard shoulder so Dad could ride on that. He headed through Speenogue where he picked up the quieter roads to Burntfoot and Fahan. Dad had a nice ride along the coastal roads to Buncrana where he stopped for coffee and scrambled eggs. Dad then cycled onto Carndonagh where he stopped for lunch. It was then onto Malin where he did a shop - he can't afford to eat out again tonight! He cycled out to Ballyhillion and the lighthouse and had his photo taken and then finally onto Malin Head.
Tonight on the menu is Cup a soup, Irish Stew and green beans followed by yoghurt and banana. I bet that comes a lot cheaper than his evening meal last night !
Tomorrow he is heading for Derry and will then be in Northern Ireland ... that means cheaper phone calls !
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Day 28 - Letterkenny
Well today hasn't gone quite to plan. It's been a wet and cold day and Dad knocked off at 3.30.
Dad had a good night last night. He cooked up in the hostel and stayed in at night. There were a few folk in the hostel. He also read up on where he'd been and found out that the pass he climbed over yesterday was the Glengesh Pass.
The morning he set off after a Continental breakfast and cycled into Dunfanaghy. Dad continued on the N56 onto Portnablagh and then onto Creeslough where Dad headed off onto some minor roads. He stopped off for coffee and a scone in Carrick. He then headed into Milford where he stopped at the police station to enquiry if the ferry was running from Ruthmullan to Burncrana. Unfortunately it wasn't so Dad has had to ride around the estuary which meant he's now in Letterkenny at the Letter Port Hostel.
Dad has had to fix the plumbing in the hostel so he could have a shower tonight - I think he should get reduced rate for that ! He is off to Yellow Pepper restaurant tonight for tea.
Dad is hoping to reach Malin Head tomorrow.
Dad had a good night last night. He cooked up in the hostel and stayed in at night. There were a few folk in the hostel. He also read up on where he'd been and found out that the pass he climbed over yesterday was the Glengesh Pass.
The morning he set off after a Continental breakfast and cycled into Dunfanaghy. Dad continued on the N56 onto Portnablagh and then onto Creeslough where Dad headed off onto some minor roads. He stopped off for coffee and a scone in Carrick. He then headed into Milford where he stopped at the police station to enquiry if the ferry was running from Ruthmullan to Burncrana. Unfortunately it wasn't so Dad has had to ride around the estuary which meant he's now in Letterkenny at the Letter Port Hostel.
Dad has had to fix the plumbing in the hostel so he could have a shower tonight - I think he should get reduced rate for that ! He is off to Yellow Pepper restaurant tonight for tea.
Dad is hoping to reach Malin Head tomorrow.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Day 27 - Dunfanaghy
Dad has a good day on the bike today. The sun has shone and he's had blue skies ! However it has been a hard day on the bike with Dad riding around 7 1/2 hours ! He is now in Dunfanaghy at the Carriage Hostel.
Dad had a good stay at the Dooey Hostel. Very nice and he'd recommend it for anyone visiting. Last night there was a German guy called Chris camping and as Dad had got rid of his tent he donated some of his tent pegs to him.
This morning Dad set off about 9.00 am and he cycled into a headwind with two big hills to climb ! Dad climbed up to 1,650 ft and then cycled into Ardara. The ride was 24 kms and had taken Dad 2 1/2 hours. In Ardara Dad found a great cafe and ordered coffee and bacon baps. The coffee came in a pot and Dad had three cups out of it ... which meant quite a few "comfort stops" for the rest of the day. From Ardara Dad continued on small roads to Portnoo and then onto Naran. Dad then picked up the N56 which was relatively quiet and headed to Dungloe, Gweedore, Gortahawk and on into Ray. From there he continued on the N56 into Dunfanaghy.
Dad is in a four bedded dorm with it's own kitchen and sitting room and there is only Dad in it. Tonight on the menu he has cup-a-soup, noodles and some cake - he's on emergency rations as the hostel was before the town. Tomorrow Dad is heading for Malinhead which is the most northerly point of Ireland.
Dad had a good stay at the Dooey Hostel. Very nice and he'd recommend it for anyone visiting. Last night there was a German guy called Chris camping and as Dad had got rid of his tent he donated some of his tent pegs to him.
This morning Dad set off about 9.00 am and he cycled into a headwind with two big hills to climb ! Dad climbed up to 1,650 ft and then cycled into Ardara. The ride was 24 kms and had taken Dad 2 1/2 hours. In Ardara Dad found a great cafe and ordered coffee and bacon baps. The coffee came in a pot and Dad had three cups out of it ... which meant quite a few "comfort stops" for the rest of the day. From Ardara Dad continued on small roads to Portnoo and then onto Naran. Dad then picked up the N56 which was relatively quiet and headed to Dungloe, Gweedore, Gortahawk and on into Ray. From there he continued on the N56 into Dunfanaghy.
Dad is in a four bedded dorm with it's own kitchen and sitting room and there is only Dad in it. Tonight on the menu he has cup-a-soup, noodles and some cake - he's on emergency rations as the hostel was before the town. Tomorrow Dad is heading for Malinhead which is the most northerly point of Ireland.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Day 26 - Rest Day
Well Dad is still in Glencolmcille (or depending which may you look at Glencolmbkille). Been a lovely day but a cold day. Dad has has decided to get rid of the tent (the guy from the hostel has taken it off his hands) as he's not done much camping on this trip as he's not come across many campsites. It'll be less weight for him to carry as well.
Dad had a good night last night. Went to listen to a couple of the musicians who are staying in the hostel as they were playing in one of the the pubs - any excuse to go to a pub! Dad got in about 11.00 ish and that's an early night as apparently some of the pubs and music go on until the small hours! The pub was VERY busy as there were many of the locals in as well as they were raffling off a car! Dad should have entered. He'd have finished off the trip quicker by car.
Today Dad has had a leisurely day. Dad has done some repairs to the bike. He's had a walk along the beach but it was much too cold for a swim or paddle! He has also walked around the village and visited both of the Churches. He also an all day breakfast in the cafe. This afternoon he visited the heritage centre. He left the lady on the reception a copy of the blog details and apparently she was telling others about Dad's trip ... so I had better get the blog right !
Dad has also been to have a look at Slieve League cliffs which at over 600 metres are Ireland's second highest cliffs.
Dad did a big shop ... which on a bike can't be much and he plans to eat at the hostel tonight.
Dad has some stats ... he's camped 8 nights and had 18 B&B/hostels. He has had 16 dry days and only 10 wet ones ... so it hasn't actually rained every day !
Dad had a good night last night. Went to listen to a couple of the musicians who are staying in the hostel as they were playing in one of the the pubs - any excuse to go to a pub! Dad got in about 11.00 ish and that's an early night as apparently some of the pubs and music go on until the small hours! The pub was VERY busy as there were many of the locals in as well as they were raffling off a car! Dad should have entered. He'd have finished off the trip quicker by car.
Today Dad has had a leisurely day. Dad has done some repairs to the bike. He's had a walk along the beach but it was much too cold for a swim or paddle! He has also walked around the village and visited both of the Churches. He also an all day breakfast in the cafe. This afternoon he visited the heritage centre. He left the lady on the reception a copy of the blog details and apparently she was telling others about Dad's trip ... so I had better get the blog right !
Dad has also been to have a look at Slieve League cliffs which at over 600 metres are Ireland's second highest cliffs.
Dad did a big shop ... which on a bike can't be much and he plans to eat at the hostel tonight.
Dad has some stats ... he's camped 8 nights and had 18 B&B/hostels. He has had 16 dry days and only 10 wet ones ... so it hasn't actually rained every day !
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Day 25 - Glencolmcille (Glencolmbkille)
Well today Dad has had a great day on the bike, great weather, great views and now he is in a great hostel at Glencolmcille. The hostel is the Dooey Hostel and it had come recommended. The hostel is situated up a steep 1km hill (Dad had to push the bike up !) but it was well worth it. Dad is going to have two nights at the hostel so he can catch up on laundry and bike repairs. When he asked at the hostel if he could book for two nights the guy said ... if you marry my mother you can stay forever !
Dad had a good night last night. He found a pub and had steak pie and and a couple of pints of Guinness. There were still people out surfing at 8.30 pm ... well I suppose if the surf is good you have to make the most of it! This morning he had a good buffet style breakfast in the hostel and then headed out on a quite road to Ballyshannon (which claims to be the oldest town in Ireland) and onto Rossnowlagh. It was then onto Ballintra, Laghy and into Donegal where he had a coffee and a bacon sandwich. It was then on the busy N56 into Mountcharles. The main road was closed for repair and all the traffic was being sent on the minor roads. Dad asked if he could cycle along the main road. They said yes ... so Dad had 10km of car free road ! It was then on through Inver, Dunkineely where Dad had lunch and then into Killybegs. It was then on to Kilcar, Carrick and finally Glencolmcille (Glencolmbkille) - I do wish they would just spell it one way ... it's hard enough to find these places on the map never mind the several variations in spelling !
Dad is going to wander into the village tonight as apparently there are three pubs to check out! Tomorrow he is off to the folk museum and have a wander along the cliffs.
Dad had a good night last night. He found a pub and had steak pie and and a couple of pints of Guinness. There were still people out surfing at 8.30 pm ... well I suppose if the surf is good you have to make the most of it! This morning he had a good buffet style breakfast in the hostel and then headed out on a quite road to Ballyshannon (which claims to be the oldest town in Ireland) and onto Rossnowlagh. It was then onto Ballintra, Laghy and into Donegal where he had a coffee and a bacon sandwich. It was then on the busy N56 into Mountcharles. The main road was closed for repair and all the traffic was being sent on the minor roads. Dad asked if he could cycle along the main road. They said yes ... so Dad had 10km of car free road ! It was then on through Inver, Dunkineely where Dad had lunch and then into Killybegs. It was then on to Kilcar, Carrick and finally Glencolmcille (Glencolmbkille) - I do wish they would just spell it one way ... it's hard enough to find these places on the map never mind the several variations in spelling !
Dad is going to wander into the village tonight as apparently there are three pubs to check out! Tomorrow he is off to the folk museum and have a wander along the cliffs.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Day 24 - Bundoran
Well the weather has been good today ... I knew Dad was due a good day! In fact no rain and at times sun! Dad is staying in the Holmefield Rock Hostel in Bundoran. A very lively backpackers hostel and probably not Dad's cup of tea ! He is now right on the border of Northern Ireland but the coastal region is still Southern Ireland. I'm hoping he'll hurry up and get over the border as I'm putting credit on his mobile phone so he can ring me and it's costing me a fortune!
Dad had a good night last night. He found a pub and had a meal and Guinness. This morning he set off on a full Irish Breakfast which kept him going til lunch. His route today took him on the N59 through Beltra and onto Ballysadare where the river was really flowing which isn't surprising with all the rain they've had these last few days. Dad has noticed as he's been cycling around that most farms seem to have a donkey in their fields. In Ballysadare Job and his wife who he'd meet a few days ago caught up with him and they stopped for a chat. From there Dad headed onto Sligo. At first he'd had to cycle along the dual carriageway (N4) but eventually found a smaller road to cycle along. Out of Sligo it was also a busy road. Dad cycled along the N15 and stopped off at Drumcliff for lunch where there was a 12th Century monastery. At Cliffoney Dad saw a sign for a hostel in10km at Ballintrillick and headed off to find it. When he got there it was full. A group of people had booked it for a Relaxation Weekend! Dad got some instructions on how to find Holmefield Rock Hostel and Dad had a nice relaxing cycle through the lanes to Kinlough. Eventually he arrived at Bundoran which is a busy sea-side town where there are lots of surfing activities.
Dad is heading out tonight to find a pub for something to eat.
Tomorrow is heading for Killibegs.
Dad had a good night last night. He found a pub and had a meal and Guinness. This morning he set off on a full Irish Breakfast which kept him going til lunch. His route today took him on the N59 through Beltra and onto Ballysadare where the river was really flowing which isn't surprising with all the rain they've had these last few days. Dad has noticed as he's been cycling around that most farms seem to have a donkey in their fields. In Ballysadare Job and his wife who he'd meet a few days ago caught up with him and they stopped for a chat. From there Dad headed onto Sligo. At first he'd had to cycle along the dual carriageway (N4) but eventually found a smaller road to cycle along. Out of Sligo it was also a busy road. Dad cycled along the N15 and stopped off at Drumcliff for lunch where there was a 12th Century monastery. At Cliffoney Dad saw a sign for a hostel in10km at Ballintrillick and headed off to find it. When he got there it was full. A group of people had booked it for a Relaxation Weekend! Dad got some instructions on how to find Holmefield Rock Hostel and Dad had a nice relaxing cycle through the lanes to Kinlough. Eventually he arrived at Bundoran which is a busy sea-side town where there are lots of surfing activities.
Dad is heading out tonight to find a pub for something to eat.
Tomorrow is heading for Killibegs.
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