Up early after a big breakfast and on the road just after 9 following surgery in the Hotel car park using my multi-tool pliers to retrieve an ear plug from Mark's ear. While waiting I met a guy with leathers and denims stood next to a Harley in the car park. I spent 10 minutes discussing Harley ownership before he jumped in a car and drove off. Wasn't his bike at all !!
The route today took us out West avoiding the main dual carriageway roads skirting North of Cork South- West of Carrick on Suir with a stop at Blarney Castle for lunch.
On the way we passed through
Lismore and the magnificent Castle just off the main road. I kind of wished we had stopped there for a look around instead, really did look a special place. Glorious sunshine today too, blue sky, 22 degrees and rising.
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| Lismore Castle |
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Blarney Castle (from the Car Park)
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Now we were riding in some spectacular Irish countryside and stopped at Blarney, but 26 Euros seemed a bit steep for the entrance fee. Mark reckoned we would catch germs kissing the Blarney Stone anyway but we needed a break from the jarring roads. We opted for a nice cafe for lunch instead. A bit touristy for us here really.
After another fifty miles we stopped for a drink in a lay-by somewhere off the R584 near Macroom. Mike riding without a GPS he was between myself and Mark so when pulled over Mark chose to ride off on his own around the valley to spin the Versys up a bit for fun. Quite entertaining watching him razzing around in the distance.
Later in the afternoon we headed up the high pass
Priests Leap. A single track road with plenty of gravel for Mike to have a go at, it rises up over 500 metres on the way to Kenmare. Stunning views up here, on the way we came across a camper van stuck in the middle of the road across the lane with its front in the hedge. We briefly considered stopping to help, but they had already called for help and I doubted we would have been able to push it out anyway so I made the decision to ride on past through the slight gap between the van and other side of the road. We met several cars coming down so figured they would have to assist anyway!
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The road up to Priest's Leap.
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| Mike - on the gravel rocket |
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| Mike and Mark - Top of Priest's Leap |
We now decided to switch in the alternative route for the additional 70 miles back down south to Glengarriff and join on to the
Beara Way and ride around in a clockwise direction down to Cable Car Cafe and then back up the North coast toward Kenmare.
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| The Druid at the Druid's Loop pull in. |
We met a couple of German bikers on Harley's and Mike tried to discuss Germany's chances in the world cup without much success, they did take a great photo of the three of us though .... winning smiles or what?
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| Blue Pool Lagoon near Glengarriff |
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| Cafe Stop - Glengarriff |
We needed fuel and a lunch stop even though by now it was almost 4 pm, a good rest was in order before we rode the next leg around Beara. We stopped at the Blue Loo pub, and had a Toastie and drink while chatting to a a very friendly couple (pictured right) over from Dublin on holiday.
The ride around the Peninsula was just sublime. Amazing views, the roads were twisty and a bit gnarly in places, I did wonder how Mike was coping with the additional miles and poor road surface (for a sports bike). I made it down to the Cable Car that crosses to
Dursey Island and a few miles before this I noticed Mike and Mark were missing. I stopped and pulled up and waited for about ten minutes with no sign of them. Just as I was about to ride back to find them they arrived. It seems Mark had simply stopped to take a photo of some of these magnificent scenes - and who can blame him!
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| Views around the Beara Peninsula |
On the way back up the N71 and through the wonderful
Killarney National Park we travelled via
Molls Gap (Mountain Pass) all twisty and great before
stopping at Lady's View to take in the sights of Upper Lake before passing by Muckross Lake and through Killarney town centre for a recce' for tonight and on to our nights stay at the very nice
Heights Hotel.
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| "Great riding today lads .. superb" 223 Miles |
I struggle to remember our night out in Killarney to be honest, I remember getting the taxi in, but have since been reminded by Mark we ate in the
Porterhouse Gastro' Pub in a booth, but most of that night is a complete blur....
... we made it to this pub with a guitarist / band we couldn't see or get to 'cos it was rammed and rocking to some great tunes. Met plenty of friendly people in there and found the Craic' with them. Mike was explicitly told off for pouring part of his old Guinness pint into his new one - apparently it's sacrilege to do this, and I do remember Mark turning out with a nice looking dress jacket! How in the hell did he pack that on his bike with very few creases?
Later, we were advised to visit the Piano Bar. I really enjoyed this one aswell - a great atmosphere with great singalong musical ballads. I tried to borrow Mark's jacket to look the part but it didn't look right on me when viewed in the mirror behind the bar. There was a good guy banging out tunes on a Grand Piano (but I can't remember what now). By this time I was beginning to stagger a bit after my rubbish Pogo' attempt in the nightclub downstairs, so the tree of us headed back to the Hotel and had with a Disaronno night cap instead.
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| Didn't need it, but always knew it was there! |
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