A wee trip to Ireland

 It was August and since we hadn't had a trip since June we were getting a bit stir crazy, originally we were going to the Essex Branch of the Norton Clubs "Not Begonia" Rally but the thought of riding down to almost London on busy Bank holiday roads put us off. Our friend from Cork (Martin) who organises the Kilmac Norton weekend was in need of a visit so a quick phone call to Alex who said he would join us and that was it.

We left on the Friday and got the afternoon Stena ferry to Belfast and rode down to Newry to stay with Martins sister in law at Newry. Saturday it was warm and sunny and we headed to Cork, Dublin was busy as always but much better than the M25, an eventful free ride which was braw, well apart from a slight hiccup literally 100 yards from our Hotel which involved Alex getting lost for a while but all was well in the end and we had a nice night with Martin and his family and Mark Connolly and his wife Fidelma.

Sunday arrived and we went round to Martins to gather for the off, then I realised I had mislaid my phone, immediate high blood pressure, Fi rode back to the hotel and got it back from the room cleaner, oops. Then there was seven of us riding down to Kilmac which was about 70 miles away, I am not a fan of riding in big groups but it worked out ok and we were impressed how well Andrea was handling her 225cc Honda (She is a learner)  which on these roads is capable enough. I took the adventure turning (Sorry Alex) and arrived just before the rest of the group.

A great night where we were joined by our friend John Martin and his wife over from America to take part in the Irish Vintage rally and Luke who was surprised to see us, so that was it the scene was set for a great couple of days. Monday a great ride down the wild Atlantic way to Castletown Bear and back up over the Healy pass, stunning days ride in great weather and great company.

Tuesday was dull and we left quite early, Dull turned to rain as we made our was west to east towards Waterford and then North to Wicklow to meet up with Kevin Shea who helped us organise the Norton Rally there a few years ago, another night, another bar, my god how can I keep doing this. Wednesday we headed to Belfast but not without another visit to our friends Micky and Pat in Castle Bellingham  for some excellent hospitality, of course it started raining, just showers but very heavy at times, you can't expect to have it good all the time. 

Thursday and an early 5am start to get organised to got the 7.30 ferry, whilst waiting in the queue we met some guys who were going to the Antler Rally in Arnamurchan, onto the boat and then I spotted Gary from Belfast (who does a fair bit of travelling as well) he did a south America trip a few years after us so we spent the journey telling stories. The Motorcycling world can be quite small, always meeting the same people in different places and you don't get that sitting on your arse at home watching neighbours or coronation street, if you can and are healthy enough, get out there, despite all the doom and gloom the world is a great place full of great people (Just ignore the arseholes)  

Pics tell a better story.....

Lunch stop on the A77

Waiting for the Ferry

Near Newry waiting for Bernie to finish work

Sunset

Money changing

We spend a lot of time hanging around petrol stations

Friday nights entertainment, watching Alex build a cabinet

Ready to go....almost

More services parking

At Last

Martin telling a story

Fi found a relaxing chair

Saturday night dinner

Fi Posing

Marks Local

Evan blagged Martins T3

The "Adventure " route

Cloudy

And dark in parts

The rest of the crew arrive

Mark on his Commando

Mick appeared briefly

Talking nonsense

Cloudy

John Martins AJS

John setting off for Cork (and back to the USA the day after)

whilst we went for a ride

Mark, happy to be skiving work for a few hours

Coffee stop

Part of the wild Atlantic way

Braw, pics from the gopro

The Healy Pass

Picture stop

The Connachy's

Kilmac in the distance

And back for beer

No rain for the day

Tall tales being told

Wet, it must be time to go

Stopping to put waterproofs on

Wicklow

Bikes resting

The bridge

Fi doing her Olympic training 

Serious talk with Kevin and Alex

Micky got the brolly out to save our bikes ( It pissed it down)

Carrickfergus Castle (Opposite our digs)

Early morning sunrise

Waiting for the ferry

Garry and his pal heading to the Antler

Back to the mainland