Settling in back home?

Scotland – England – Belgium – France- Luxembourg – Germany – Poland – Slovakia – Hungary – Ukraine – Russia (West) – Kazakhstan – Russia (Siberia) – Japan – USA – (Iceland) - England – Wales – Ireland – Scotland. I have had the most amazing and unforgettable journey of my life. I have been lucky to meet some fantastic people many who I hope to meet with again either in their country of here in Scotland. I have experienced generosity, helpfulness and friendliness from all but one strange individual throughout the trip and hope to have the opportunity to repay this in the future. I am now back home and still not unpacked. Lots of stuff lying about and will need to sort out all the souvenirs, badges, mementos and gifts. I will also need to get the bike cleaned up and get rid of 19,000 miles of caked on dirt. But for now I am shredding six months of mail and chilling out. I will get the stats , the totals for the charity, route and any advice together within the next week or so. I will also get an email out to as many of you as possible. Meantime can I thank Pat and Bill Beazley, The Ralph Slater Foundation, Lothian and Borders Police, and last, but not least, Dan Benedict for their recent generous donations to Capability Scotland. Update by next week.

Home in Edinburgh

Got the 0730 ferry to Cairnryan and met Dougie for breakfast and the run home to Capability Scotland HQ in Edinburgh. Thanks to all who met me and for the champagne, coffee, bacon rolls and very warm welcome. Lots of photos but as we have been out tonight I will update tomorrow.

Belfast Blog

Wandered around Belfast City centre and took a ride on the Belfast wheel. Cost £6.50 but worth the view. The rain was bad this morning and I am glad I made the move here yesterday. Forecast is good for the whole journey home tomorrow with sun in the east of Scotland. Dougie, my old colleague, fellow Adventure rider and euro tour buddy is meeting me from the ship tomorrow for ride up the road (interesting if you are an Evening News reader). If anyone else can make it I am buying breakfast and possibly lunch… unless there is more than 3 turn up! Photos: The Belfast Wheel and Belfast City Hall. See you tomorrow!

Exploring Belfast - Rain Stopped Play ?

Rain has forced me into the famous Robinsons Bar as recommended by Rod M. Good choice. More photos later.
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East to Portavogie and the Irish Sea

A pleasant journey north east to the Irish sea which completes east to west Ireland. Visited big Jimmy Kelly at Portavogie and furthest east you can get. (Photos). I have been on a few tours with Jimmy, one being to Slovenia and Italy. It was nice to see him and Maggie and a Southern Ireland tour is starting to be planned. Now  in Belfast for a look around and get my ponytail cut off and tattoo finished off. Heading  to Larne and home for Saturday. I feel happy about heading home to  the girls (and Jasper) but  sorry that the adventure is nearing an end. Still, a new job to look forward to and planning the next trip…….just kidding Pam!

Sailing:

Larne to Cairnryan

Outward Date/Time:      Sat 07 November 2009 at 0730

Outward Arrival:        Sat 07 November 2009 at 0915

Dougz…Cairnryan not Stranraer if you can make it.

Capability Scotland 2pm.

Castles, Loughs, Fields, Wind, Rain and Sun

I had the full Irish breakfast followed by the full Irish scenery followed by the full Irish weather. Headed north along the west coast with some stunning scenery enhanced by the Atlantic swell being thrown up by the strong winds. Soon the wind dropped and the sun came out just in time for viewing Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara. Onward to a low lying field at Athenry where I watched a small freebird fly then east toward Dublin. Took the N3 and finally halted just short of the Northern Ireland border at Cavan. Will need to use up my Euros tonight and then east and north toward Belfast.

Popped out of Cork

Met Dan  the Garda IPA motorcycle club president in Cork today. Had a good chat and now planning a visit to Cork in the spring. Thanks Dan for the coffee and T shirt and hope to catch up in the springtime. Onward on Dan’s recommendation to Spanish Point Co. Clare. This overlooks the Atlantic and marks the west point of my journey across Ireland. From here it is north east, Belfast and then home. Spanish Point has an excellent surfing spot but bathing is not safe here, particularly to the left of the Black Rock where currents are strong. It is a gale force 9 and driving rain here tonight so I decided to give the bathing a miss not because of this but because  I left my trunks in the USA. The Spanish found it unsafe, too  when they washed ashore after the Armada lost its way. Will get some photos tomorrow but meantime some more from Cobh.

 

In Cobh in Co Cork

Visited friends Ken and Audrey in Cobh. Ken took me round the island on his boat an I had a grandstand view of this beautiful part of the country. Fortunately the wind had died down and there was no memories of the previous day’s crossing from Wales. Ken has lived and farmed here most of his life and was an excellent guide. I had views of Cobh including their own Cathedral, St Colman’s. It is such a small town and it is amazing that there is a cathedral here. The average size of a family here is 9 so having a cathedral is obviously keeping the faithful on side! Cobh was originally Queenstown  the departure point for The Titanic. an excellent Heritage Museum  at the Quayside in Cobh giving a lot of the History. Queenstown was the departure point for the thousands of Irish who emigrated.  The Lusitania also sank about 5 miles off Kinsale - the survivors and bodies were brought ashore to Cobh. There is a mass grave for the Lusitania victims on the outskirts of Cobh. Off the coast is Spike Island which was used a prison from the time of British rule to recently. It is now abandoned. Nearby there is an operational Naval base and ferry terminal. Picture taken of the cathedral this morning showing the contrast in weather from yesterday. Thanks to Pat for the historical information and a big thanks to Audrey and Ken for their hospitality and company.

 

 

 

Arrived Ireland

Arrived IRL. Worst sea crossing ever with gales and huge seas. (Photo) In hotel outside Wexford.Cork by early afternoon tomorrow.