And these really are notes. The plan is to write up an article about my four days in Ireland (for publication?) once back in the U.K.
Early start / tiresome drive across Lancashire-Cheshire / North Wales much nicer / echos of the French Riviera (sea, hills, fast corniche road?) / across Menai Straits almost without noticing / Holyhead / iPhone cameras stopped working / Irish Ferries’ Jonathan Swift / didn’t really live up to its name / Dublin port / set sat-nav to ‘no motorways’ / impromptu drive along the Liffey / boom time in the capital! / traffic lights – many & slow changing / along main road towards Wexford / reminiscent of driving in France / no lorries on good quality roads / cut corner nearer Wexford / arrive Waterford / tad disappointing / bit scruffy / urban after all that green unwelcome / hotel? / unsure… / plans for Waterford Cycleway still vague / start Waterford? / start Dungarvan? / sod it! / drive to campsite at Dungarvan / perfect / โฌ16 / great location near sweeping beach / chat with Scottish camper vanner / his first time in Irelsnd too / we agree on reality far surpassing expectations / check in / can’t camp near beach ๐ / field elsewhere / pitch tent / campsite very good but they have excelled themselves in prohibiting things / photos at beach / chat to Paddy the strimmer / he has heard of me! / think he might have heard of everyone he meets / lived here all his life / drive to town / pause at car park for greenway / chat to man putting his bike in van / David – Irish Leeds supporter / primary teacher turned funeral director / discuss greenway + BREXIT + benefits of EU fir Ireland + terrorism + politics / offers me a lift to Waterford tomorrow / problem solved! / 8:45 start / drive into Dungarvan via shop / heatwave on its way according to assistant / raffle ticket for big Gaelic football game??? / explain I’m just passing through / Dungarvan harbour beautiful in sunset / pint of Guiness(!) / try pay with new pound coins – very similar to Euros! / drive back / each bread next to beach / Paddy still strimming + litter picking / chat about greenway / no passenger trains since mid 60s / line kept alive by magnesite plant / he knows David / back to tent / write this…
I like the idea of cycling in Ireland …..but it’s inclement weather puts me off bothering . Much prefer the canals of flat Strasbourg and then by the river Adda by Lecco….
Fantastic weather today!
Hi, loved your book ๐
I cycled the Waterford Greenway last weekend, lovely spin, easy going with a beautifully atmospheric tunnel near Dungarvan (maybe 6km out or so?).
Waterford city does look a bit dull and depressing but the coast is amazing.
I think the plant Paddy mentioned was the magnesite ore processing factory.
Is that ‘Washing Machine Post’ Brian? Thanks for the feedback / comments, especially the magnesite one. It must have been the pint of Guinness that I had in Dungarvan… lovely place, no?