The first posts (late)

Date: (yesterday) 05 June 2009
Location: in transit / Shannon / Ennis
Event of the (yester)day: arriving
B&B: Glencove in Clarecastle
Cribbage: Alicia 4-1, Lauren 1-1, Dad 1-3

Our traveling begun yesterday at 8:30am central time. 1.5hrs to IAH, negligible check-in & security, 2.5hrs waiting at IAH, 1.5hrs waiting on run-way, 3.5hrs in air Houston to Newark, 15min speedwalking to gate at Newark, 7hrs in air Newark to Shannon, 2.5hrs constructing bikes, 45min looking for bolt dropped in grass (did not find)….. equals about 20 hours. Also spent time deciding what to do with bike boxes; solution: ditch original boxes and buy new boxes (15E) from Continental ticket counter.
Dad had NOT reserved B&B, but targeted B&B did have room. Only a 12km bike ride if Dad had not gotten lost 5 times (did not know how to read round-about signs). And biking on the left side of the road is weird. Argued about the British rationale for such. I do not believe Lauren or Dad’s hypothesized guesses (no supporting evidence.) Biking with panniers much harder than normal. I suspect that Dad and Lauren’s bikes are carrying more weight than mine (body + panier weight) as I have to cycle to keep up with them when I coast downhill.
Weather is much nicer than normal—sun all day! Biking in t-shirts is comfortable. Supposed to stay sunny today, meaning sunscreen.
Traditional Irish breakfast (egg sunny side up, sausage, ham, ham sausage, blood sausage, tomato) is WAY too heavy. To much meat. I was disappointed by the lack of potatoes. Am digesting while writing this blog à la Office Creed style (word document). If we find free wireless internet, will create an actual factual blog.

Translation notes: first sounds like fourth, brown soda is wheat bread made with baking soda NOT coca-cola or pepsi or dr. pepper soda

Lost: black bolt for Lauren’s bike (see above)



June 6, 2009 Tarbert, Ireland written by LA
Time: too early

Yesterday started as many days do. The sun came up and I did not want to wake up. The bed was perfectly warm. Unlike traditional Irish weather, the sun was awake and warmly smiling.

The group went downstairs to enjoy a traditional Irish breakfast. The breakfast included eggs, sausage, blood pudding (I think, or some dark bread and nut thing), some other meat, ham, toast, tea, a bowl of cornflakes and brown soda bread. I did not really eat the meat, except the ham, of course. Then, we headed back upstairs to repack and get ready to pack. I was not ready. I needed more sleep. So, I went back upstairs to our room and snuggled into the warm bed. Everyone else was writing or packing.

Eventually we were all packed and ready to bike the day away. I took a picture of the bikes with the B&B to record our travels. Dad took a picture of Alicia and I with our hostess and vice versa.

Then, we all hopped onto our bikes and rode into away from the rising sun since we were heading west. Our goal was to reach Tarbert by going through Kilmier and taking the ferry. We had a short lunch break at Labeesheeda known as “The Bed of Silk” because of a legend of an English sailor stopping in the bay during a storm who slept through the storm as if sleeping on a bed of silk. On the bike ride to this small village, Alicia had several problems with her bike. First, her panier got stuck in the gear and then, her gear shifter wouldn’t work. Alicia wins the Delay Award.

Around 2PM we reached the ferry. The ferry was an enjoyable break from biking which lasted about 20 minutes. After that, Tarbert was only a five minute bike ride away. We decided to the local woodland walk. We started and then found out it was closed. We went back to the bikes and had a short nap. Then, we decided to take the other woodland route. Or what we thought was the woodland route. It was a muddy woody path, Both Alicia and Dad got their shoes muddy while I stayed nice and clean. Eventually we found the real woodland walk, and followed the path a short while, but stopped because grouchy Alicia was mad from getting her clean shoes muddied. Because I am tired of writing, I don’t feel motivated to tell you about the rest of the evening. We had dinner and went to bed. the end.



Mutiny during the Chaos Tour.
Day 3 – The girls are tired and sleeping long hours. After a breakfast a fruit, scones and OJ gotten from the local Spar market, we started out at 10:30 and were immediately delayed by the threat of rain. So we stood in at the ferry house Hostel for 15 -20 minutes. Assuming my rightful place as tour director I lead the group of vagabond cyclist out of Tarbert on N18 with the intention of picking up the more quiet road we had agreed to bike in 1-2 km. After 3 – 4 km, AC calls for a halt and wanted to head back into tarbert to get on the right road. I vetoed and said we could take the small country road to ballylongtrowel. After 150km the road turn turned to gravel and a quick turnaround. Then the rain hit and Lauren yelled “ Dad, you are not leading any more.” and the mutiny was iniated and I was relieved of any tour guiding/route selection duties. Now I only function as mechanic and tour sponsor. I did show them the benefit of standing in out of the rain and in 20’ we were back on our way under clearing skies. After 17 km were we in Listrowel and enjoyed a pleasant lunch and some mild sightseeing and we headed off to finish the final leg of today’s biking with the 27Km into Tralee. The skies were threatening but held off until were we 2 km outside of town. AC was experiencing a bit of o upset stomach. I needed to push on since I had broken a rear drive side spoke and needed to get to a bike shop before they closed for the weekend. I headed of alone and gingerly coasted the 2 km descent in tralee while AC and LB waited till AC felt OK. We meet at the Finnegan’s Hostel and I then seet out for the bike shop. 10 euros later the spoke was replaced and the wheel trued and headed back to the hostel and found the girls asleep. Mutiny #2 will likely occur tomorrow because their growing dissatisfaction with my dining selections.



June 9, 2009 Dingle, Ireland
Time: 9:12 AM

The day started began like most days. The sun rose in the sky and we groaned in our beds. Eventually, the hunger in my belly sent me to the kitchen scavenging for some cornflakes. Of course, I went through my daily medical routine….

Our plan for the day of tourism was to cycle around the Dingle Peninsula. Its about 30 miles long with sloping hills and breathtaking views. Our first stop was to see the Dunbeg Fort, a prehistoric fort dating back about 3000 years. There was some disagreement about whether to see it or not since there was a light drizzle. Alicia and I decided to go down and examine the ruins. The fort itself was built of stone and had several layers of walls surrounding it. I was amazed all the stone had not eroded because of all the water and wind. The fort was situated near the end of a high cliff, thus providing the necessary protection back in the ancient times.

The rain stopped while we munched on some chocolate sandwhiches. Ironically, once ready to go, the rain began again and harder. We trudged on through till we sighted a nice café. In the homely, warm café, we ordered a pot of tea while “standing in.” Then, one pot of tea became two. Then, two became the exit out of the café.

We hopped back onto the bikes. My butt gave another whimper and begged for another stop for a pot of tea. Nonetheless, I biked on. We found a outcropping of rocks. I felt like a goat climbing all over the rocks. On top of the rocks, I had a great view of he peninsula and the ocean. Plus, it was realllly windy up on the rocks.

So, we biked, biked, biked, cycled, and biked till we reached a fork in the road. One back to Dingle, and one to the Glassurs Oratory. We took the path more traveled and headed off to the oratory. We watched a short video on the ancient church and finally caught a break. The weather decided to rain again while we in warm shelter.

Then, my butt protested again as we climbed back up the hill and down to Dingle. There we had HOT showers and a WARM meal. And, I won 2 cribbage games against Alicia. Ha. ha.



Date: 09 June 2009, writing for 07 June (day 4)
Location: Tralee to Dingle
Event of the day: Connair Pass
B&B/Hostel: Rainbow Hostel in Dingle
Cribbage: Lauren’s 3 up on me, I’m >5 up on Dad

We left Finnigan’s Hostel in Tralee latish in the morning. Lauren and I are getting into a schedule of eating breakfast, then going back under the covers to get warm, and subsequently falling asleep. Biked along the northern part of the peninsula and stopped at Castlegregory for lunch.
Sandwiches in Ireland are boring! Only cheddar cheese (I asked for Swiss, only cheddar). Too basic. And small. Not ordering any more sandwiches. Instead I got the 100% Irish Beef Quarter Pounder with the mysterious pink sauce.
From Castlegregory, onto Connair Pass! Dad estimates 12km uphill and, supposedly, a 45min descent. Up is tough. Yes, we are on the smallest gear of the smallest chain link. Dad prefers a steady and slow method, whereas I, and maybe Lauren, are better with a stop and go bursts. Alicia wins the race to the top and waits a full 15min for the others to catchup. Nice view of both sides of the peninsula, very windy, and why are people eating ice cream? Too cold, despite all the work to get up the hill. Bargained a pair of gloves for a long-sleeved underarmour shirt from Lauren. However, Alicia is the last one down the hill (riding on the brakes).
Dad still proves he is not navigator worthy as he distrusts the directions I was given for the hostel.
Rainbow hostel is slightly outside Dingle, nice room, but shared showers. And free wireless!
“Tomorrow” is the Dingle loop and chocolate spread sandwiches!
As for cribbage, I’m getting more and more frustrated by Lauren’s lead. Trying to fix that ASAP.

Translation notes: a ‘toastie’ is the equivalent of grilled cheese

Lost: a green-striped sock and a red-striped sock, both mine