After yesterdays day of rest, most of which was spent in battle with the lack lustre broadband of Clifden trying to get the blog uploaded, its back behind the wheel today.
Against, potentially, my better judgement I’m taking the advice of Mr Doyle & the owner of my B&B, I'm taking to sea again....a trip to Inishbofin Island ! Heaven help you both if this turns out like the Tory Island disaster ! LoL
It’s a very pleasant drive out to the ferry, roof off again, weather is superb ! I get my ticket, board the vessel......
....off we go.... it’s a good start, as we head out to sea, with the exception of the bow wake of our boat, the sea is like a billiards table, no one being sick, weather still great, its almost a party atmosphere on board
I explained the Tory Island story to the man at b&b “don’t worry” he said “there will be people waiting on the quayside to hire you bikes and try n secure your lunch reservation” this sounds much more entrepreneurial to me, sure enough as we get off the boat, there is the cycle hire man...12 Euro later and I’m on my way.
I have to stop at the top of the first hill for 5 minutes to catch my breath, It’s been some time since i’ve done this....
Five minutes pass, an were off.... scenery is wonderful, i’m really enjoying the cycle... after some time a famous quote enters my head
“For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction”
I think from memory it was Bruce Willis who first said this is an episode of Moonlighting circa 1988 but I will stand corrected if anyone knows better.... anyhow, I’ve been traveling downhill on the bike for over 10 minutes now so my brain is starting to compute the “equal and opposite” of that and its likely impact on my legs.....just at this point the silence is broken by the ring of my phone (wasn’t even expecting any signal out here)..... It’s an Irish number....who could it be....bet It's my B&B for tomorrow calling me to confirm...I answer..... “JAMIE” I hear roar down the phone “IT’S NOEL” oh jeeez it’s the BULL on the phone....”There’s racing tomorrow in Ballinrobe”..... “I know, I say” somewhat nervously, “I’ve got a ticket”.....”oh Grand” says the BULL “I’ve got friends going racing, they’ll meet you for pints” !!!
The rest of my cycle round the island continues with regular breaks at the top of each hill, until I have circumnavigated the island.... I pull up at Doonmore Hotel, now if anyone from Tory is watching, this is how you do it....
This is me on an Island, off Ireland, with a pint !!
Shortly followed by some absolutely stunning Moules & Frites
I’ve not spent a moment sheltering in a public convenience and even more surprising not seen an American Tourist all day !!
I hereby certify todays Island Hop a success !!
