Shamrocks and side stands

We started the day with a fantastic breakfast of smoked salmon, freshly baked scone and home-made raspberry jam. Ben‘s clothes were waiting outside the room for him in the morning Mary our host having dried them for him the night before when he had got in absolutely soaked. Set off reasonably early and guess what? Yes, that’s right it was raining and it carried on raining for the next couple of hours. At least Ben had the common sense to put some waterproofs on today. Fortunately, eventually the rain subsided which was great because this was our longest day riding and the roads are absolutely amazing. We headed up the coastline over the Connor pass and on towards Moher Cliffs the scenery is stunning. Ben started to get a little nervous with his fuel levels but really did not want to pay €1.89 a litre. Unfortunately when his fuel light started to flash he really had no choice, thanks Donald Trump.. We arrived at Talbot to get tge ferry across to Killimer, unfortunately we were just in t...

We set off a little later than planned having found a McDonalds for breakfast. Top tip, don’t try their toasties, they are just a pitter bread with some fake cheese thrown in, thank goodness for hash browns. The day started fantastic with a short ride to the Gap of Dunloe. The Gap of Dunloe is a famous narrow mountain pass in County Kerry, Ireland, located near Kate Kearnet’s and about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from Killarney. It sits between the MacGillycuddy's Reeks and Purple Mountain ranges, featuring five glacial lakes and the historic Wishing Bridge. It’s a fantastic road marred for the motorcyclists a little by the horse dung from all the tourist carts that can be hired to do part of the loop. Once you get past the first 4 miles or so it’s a clear run and an absolute highlight of the tour. The ring took us back towards Killarney and made up the first section of the ring of Kerry. Williams Snr had done this route a number of times but wanted jnr to experience it. Un...

After a night in Colmel at a very expensive resort (literally the only place we could get). We set off to Mahon waterfalls.  There were wildfires Smouldering in the Hills as we rode towards Mahon Falls. Ben had picked up a hitchhiker who we named Paddy who was able to cling on to his bike like Spider Man for about 50 miles. He was actually really sad when he finally decided to let go. we can only assume that this was his planned destination for his free Uber ride. We were treated to a practice helicopter rescue while the Falls quite spectacular.  And then we stopped rather too long for an iced coffee and a game of chess, neither of us had played for years and it was obvious. Williams Snr won, or Williams Jnr let him win depending on who you ask. At Mahon falls we were treated to a training exercise by the mountain rescue team. We also got in ferry crossing number 2 of the trip although this one was far shorter and cheaper that the Stena line costapacket affair we came over on....

We stopped the night in a place called Tallaght, which is a western suburb of Dublin. After doing battle across town with a significant number of scooters, we arrived at our digs to find the underground car park locked up for the night. We spent some time positioning the bikes so they could be locked together, checked in, and went up to our room. After we had settled in, probably 40 to 50 minutes after arrival, Williams Junior noticed a piece of paper warning us we would be clamped if parked above ground for more than an hour. We scrambled downstairs to quickly get them moved and gained access to the underground car park.  About to get clamped. Dinner was curtesy of Nando’s. Is the X or the S silent? The next morning we retrieved the bikes and headed out to the first of our planned routes and what will likely be a real highlight of the trip ‘Sallys Gap’.  Very chilled cat Following a brew at Laragh (the end of Sallys Gap) we had a quick stop at Gendalough before heading toward...

 We made it despite the massive Snowdonia bap we had at Caffi Deli Llygad Yr Haul, which tried to slow us down. Williams Junior managed to stand in a dog bowl, forcing the parched pooches to suck his LH jeans leg if they wanted a drink. Stopped alongside a German couple on a BMW R1250 RT while queuing for the ferry. Ben, via the headset, was trying to get me to say ‘Fick Der huhn’ to them as he thought it would be hilarious….child! Probably best not to Google Translate. Sturdy but probably bent in the middle We allowed Stena Line to strap the bikes down, leaving the GSA looking like its seat had been garrotted.  Williams junior tried to move a table when we got on board, it’s a boat Ben, they don’t move. Happy days, here is to a calm crossing and no ukiepukie.