DAY 4 M2M - HEADING TO THE KINGDOM

 

Another addition to the group today, Niall Hayes,joining us for the last two legs of the journey. It's another beautiful morning and we have an early start as it will be a very long day. Breakfast at 6 45 and  on the road for 7 30. Out of Lahinch,took a slight detour via Spanish point, for the view, then on through Quilty, Cooraclare, Kilrush and down to Kilimer where Michael Culligan had organised tea/coffee and scones, as this was home territory for him. Lovely grub.....again. We had a visit here from Pat Burke snr from our own club and Anthony Daly, Dublin senior hurling manager,who was just double checking that the 5 day pass from training that Riche Stakelum had requested was for what he said it was.

 

We boarded the 11 o'clock ferry to Tarbert, on which Mark gave a lecture on how the Moneypoint power station beside us was fuelled by160,000 tons coal that he personally purchased in Columbia. Fair play to the support team who took up a collection on the ferry to add to our charity fund.

 

Speaking of the support team, Vinney Patterson and Gerry Park in van 1 and Liam o Flaherty and Mick Carolan in van 2. These guys are "Angles on our shoulders" we really couldn't manage without them,from getting the bikes to Donegal and hopeful home from Cork, to transporting our bags, keeping us safe in traffic (and there has been a lot of narrow roads), supplying water and energy bars and most importantly BANANAS !! If I never see another banana I don't think i'll be too upset.

 

From Tarbert we headed down to Listowel, by- passed Tralee and into Farranfore for lunch (Hugh Campbell and Tommy Mannion were caught trying to book a flight to Mizen head). Another 110km on the clock. The last leg of the journey was the hardest, in to Kilarney, which was mobbed, and then up the 18km climb to Molls gap, mad scramble and a sprint finish at the top !! From here it was a most welcome downhill into Kenmare where we are staying for the night. That was a hard 160km even in the glorious sunshine and sets us up nicely for the remaining 90km tomorrow.

 

We had a great dinner together tonight in the hotel and it's becoming obvious that lads that were quite nervous and uptight earlier in the week are starting to realise that they nearly have the job done. Lot of speeches made tonight and unfortunately tensions are starting to rise again between Bomber (M2M chairman) and Kevin Foley(club chairman) as to who has ultimate authority..........no sign of Ronnie Murray this time !!

 

Myself and Mark are back as roomies again (i think he missed me last night but didn't like to say) our hotel room is roasting so he has discarded the jammies (won't get a chance to chloroform him) and he's lost the bamboo, but not to worry I have my bicycle pump here beside me and and if he puts a tonsil or nostril out of place he gonna get it !!

 

Here's to Mizen head tomorrow........and just maybe........a few well earned pints after a week of sobriety.

 

Goodnight all..... Donie