Killashandra to Clones - Tuesday 21st April

Today was a dry, wet, dry day, the roads were good in the morning. In the afternoon however they took a turn for the worse, as did my luck. By about 3.00pm the 'heavy' Irish roads had taken their tole and the bearings of one of my rear wheels had disintegrated locking the wheel up.

Having carried my board into Clones I contacted my Aunt and Uncle who drove from Co.Armagh and picked me up. I will need to take a day out to get replacement bearings from Belfast. The silver lining is that my feet and legs are glad of the day off and a chance to see 98 year old Granny Smyth.

Hopefully this gives an indication of just how rough the roads have been on my journey.

A huge THANK YOU has to go to my Aunt Betty and Uncle Alan for their help, without them I'm not sure how I could have continued.

Thanks also to Pauline, my boss, for allowing me to extend my holiday by a day (I will complete a holiday form on Tuesday).

Longford to Killashandra - Monday 20th April

Today was another sunny day, the route however was a bit of a roller coaster, steep, steep hills. The tread on my right trainer is completely missing with all the foot breaking! I'm hoping there is enough tread left to get me to Malin Head.

Highlight of the day was meeting Martina and Padraig Tiernan and their family. Martina helps run the Killashandra Foroige Club for children aged between nine and eighteen. Foroige means 'learn by doing'. Martina had contacted me prior to arriving in Ireland as the children were interested in my journey. On arrival at the club I was presented with a cheque for the IHF for €200.00 which the children had raised.

I went for dinner with Martina and family and was very taken with the sense of community that thrives in Killashandra in a way I have not experienced in mainland UK.

A very big THANK YOU to the children and adults involved in the Killashandra Foroige Club, there fundraising was amazing and will make a real difference.

Thanks also to the Shamrock Inn Bed & Breakfast for their €10.00 donation.

Athlone to Longford - Sunday 19th April

Another day of blue skies and sunshine, Ireland your spoiling me! Roads were pretty good most of the time and scenery was nice, passing through rolling farmland for most of the day. Had some close encounters with various dogs today, some friendly, some not so!

Sadly managed to lose my camera on the roads between Athlone and Longford, I took the R390 from Athlone then left off it through Pishanagh Cauran, Ardnagath Curraghbane Rath Upper, Dunnamona, Doonamona, Tonlegee, Corbrack and Tang. Onto the N55 and off left towards Garrynagh and on through Shrule, Shrule Glebe, Darogue, Castlecore, Moigh, Cartronboy, Moneyfad and onto the R392 at Lissanisky. I finished the day in Longford but I'm sure that I lost the camera by the time I got to Lissanisky. So if anyone comes across a Nikon Coolpix camera in a blue and grey case please get in touch. My contact details are on the website.

Birr to Athlone - Saturday 18th April

Wow, blue skies and sunshine as I leave Birr. My joy is short lived however as I develop a migraine after approximately ten miles. But as if by magic an Irish Waterways worker stops and offers me a cup of tea. Having discussed the workings of the Irish waterways, rested my weary legs and cured my headache it's back on the road.

Feeling better and with the sun shining sixteen miles down the road I happen accross a bed and breakfast.

So here I sit with sore knees and blisters on my blisters but happy with the distance travelled today and the weather forecast tomorrow.

Thanks to the Grennan family, owners of the Four Seasons Bed & Breakfast, for their €5.00 donation.

Tomorrow off to Longford...

Nenagh to Birr - Friday 17th April

Today was a much better day, weather was overcast with light rain early on thankfully not coming to anything.

Roads were good, straight and with some nice down hill sections which will much welcomed.

Today on 'Ache Watch' is my left knee!

Look forward to reaching half way mark at some point tomorrow.

Off now for a much deserved shower.

Limerick to Nenagh - Thursday 16th April

For a number of reasons today was the hardest day yet. Firstly I encountered the worst roads to date on my trip, at one point finding myself rolling to a halt in a inch of mud and cow muck. Lovely!

Secondly for those of you who went to Goodwood last year, remember that headwind?
Well it paid me a visit today, wasn't that nice of it!!!!

Finally my legs and feet have suffered today, the heel of my left foot blistering and my right achilles was very painful, hurting with every push.

I now know I will have aches and pains every day of my trip, just the location changing day by day.

That said I was happy with the distance I covered, and the weather forecast is better for tomorrow.

I also had my board cleaned at the local car wash, you have to show your board some love now and then.

Charleville to Limerick

Guess what?

You’ve got it wet again!

Now I actually don’t mind the rain except it is wrecking my feet.

I’m rapidly losing all the skin off my heel of my right foot, ouch!



That apart today was fun, quiet roads and really enjoyed the crack, couldn’t really see much in terms of scenery as it was quite dark and misty all day. It was mainly flat as I travelled through farm land most of the day, cows rushing to stare as I boarded past.

Thank you to Mora at Innisfree B&B in Charleville for her 10eur donation.

A special thank you to Janine for booking me into the Jury’s hotel in limerick to night.
Great views of the Shannon.

I dictating this to Janine from the bar of the hotel enjoying the first Guinness of the trip!