22 July Ferry to Milford Haven

No trouble finding the ferry and a nice last hours countryside riding to the Rosslaire ferry. Easy ride back on a calm sea. It was foggy on the way over so did not see anything. `this time a very good day and a special coastline. This has been a very busy coastline for maybe two thousand years. But my sights were set on Milford Haven where I had found a Cafe that had Faggotts on the menu yes Faggotts. Sort of a Welsh mini haggis. I suspect the same sort of ingredients but no neaps.....but I like them. And then it was back to my friends Jane and Keith at Mastelbridge. What a lucky bugger I am ! Keith had recently relaunched his sailing boat so he was taking his family sons wives and fiancé and their daughter "up the river" to a Pub and I was invited. What a good night was had by all.

21 July last riding day in Ireland

I had a great days ride up the coast heading toward my overnight stay near Wexford but nothing could take away the joy of that days ride. Just wonderful. This was another case of find the house. No streets names no numbers and no GPS or fast code. Finally asked a bloke in the nearby villiage. The hostess lived in one of 6 houses her father built and still owns two or three. The villiage is closing down no business no commerce, really sad.

20 July Bantry Bay

If ever there was a day of memorable riding this was it. The southern Irish coast is pretty and pretty sensational. Not only that but has some of the most delightful no paint lanes I have ever ridden. The Sheeps Head peninsula was pretty fantastic but the ride back along the Goat Track to Bantry, another stunning little coastal town, was exceptional. Just a magic day on the bike in spectacular surroundings. Arrived in rural Cork to have another challenging find the place I am staying at. After a meal at the Pub and that was pretty good, I set about finding my host. I did not really understand the house name I was looking for so up and down the road several times until the hostess finally gave up and came to stand in the road. Oh dear. Nice people. The man was a builder and gave me first hand the struggles the Irish have faced. Sad really as they are pretty damn good people.

Cork 20 July

I am being reminded I am not keeping up to date so I left Wales on the ferry in the fog as I think I reported and arrived in Tramore for my evening with Ger and Ciaran. Now that should give a clue that I was in Irelend. What a good night. I had dinner cooked and we sat and talked and watched a TV show, and that has not happened for a long time. But it was great. I need to update this and I will nut for now it is time for breakfast here in Cork.

19 July Kinsale

Rest day which means I walked the local sights. Couple of old forts in Kinsale. Ireland is a history lesson round every corner. Loved it. Was invited for dinner at the BnB. Started off with me two live in's that became three then five and then seven so that meant there were 9 of us so that was interesting but the sup rise was the young irish lass that played the whistle and the drum. What an unusual evening.

18 July Ireland

My first day on the road in this wonderful green land. My first night was pretty memorable with a family that described themselves as artists. What great people not only making me feel so welcome but also invited me to dinner with them. We shared a delightful night of conversation. So the day that followed was fine and fun as I headed off through Dungarvan.A seaside old town. Boars in the harbour and old walls and buildings. Easy to forget Ireland has lived through some pretty tough times. Off down the road to Blarney and that was unplanned. Pretty town. The roads were my favourite type with no paint. Narrow winding country roads that were a joy to ride. Remuera houses on lovely tidy well cared for farms No dumped cars overgrown land farming gorse and junk just people that are proud of their farms. Ireland is a funny place, no street names no numbers, houses have names, usually, and no fast code that let me find any house in Britain with a GPS address. Not in Ireland. I was in the street I was supposed to be in. My host was in the next street. Oh yes we know it says that on the map but that's not what we call it. But the town was a real tourist village once again on a delightful harbour. Dinner at the Pub but all too much tourism for my liking. No real pub meals even in Ireland it's more handled food, you know the sort don't use a spoon to get it on the plate use hands and play with it and charge double. However the after dinner event at a local pub was great. Guitar bass guitar and harp. It was great.

Starcross day off

It is another grey day that intended to use for a trip to Dartmouth. Instead I slept in and went for a coffee at the nearby castle that has recenyly had a change of owners. The refugee son that married the US actress returned on father's death and has taken up residence. I am a bit like his sister. The boys got the money and the ugly sister got a card. Your brother is now the inheritor but thanks for the card and good luck. But now and again we need a day off. Frankly I can not believe how lucky I am. Travel is a total privilege and a joy and anyone that is familiar with my last 10 tears travel will know how good it has been to me. I would have preferre to be able bodied this time but the Ram that butted my knee and tore it apart did not know what an inconvenience he was but I guess that is payback for times I have similarly afflicted someone else. Today I had rain. What a surprise. Every day since arriving. But it is summer so it did not rain all day. Tomorrow inshallah I will visit Dartmouth and then thru the moors to Ilfracombe where I had a little experience last year that took me to a hospital. Falling asleep on a bike. Not to be commended but it has happened before just hope it does not happen again. Pardon me being repetitious but I do love the biking. So I am back to the local for dinet. Hope I can add a picture and tomorrow perhaps can visit the place where theon arch of Britain has such connection. Lizzy met Phil at Dartmouth. Their kids went to sailing school there. I on the other hand will probably feel more at home on Dartmoor where the villains were housed. Having a few problems with email and data so may be a few typo. I need to say on the eve of Great Britain leaving the EU and it looks like they will the sun is out. Must be an omen.