A day in Dublin is a step back in time - to the Vikings and the Celts, to cobblestones and patriarchs. It's a thriving City that was thrust into the 21st Century with an economic wave of progress and prosperity for all. But the wheels of progress have come to a screeching halt as evident in boarded up buildings and half finished road works - much to our discomfort! A very expensive pint at the Guiness brewery, a stroll down the laneways of Temple Bar and a neck craning moment at Christ Church and St Patricks and we were back at Red Cow safely tucked into our Rose's and Shiraz and Baileys before bed.

Morning broke with a clap of thunder and Dublin wore a skullcap of grey overcast to greet the day. A light rain turned into a gale and our fearsome band headed out toward Belfast. Some twists, turns and roundabouts later, we were missing one back up van - Conan the Mighty Warrior had gone astray in the battle of the bottlenecks getting out of Dublin. Once found he was lost again by errant marshalls and lashing rain. A quick stop at Portmarnock Beach in time for Jim Parker to declare he saw a never before spotted penguin in the waters of the Irish Sea! Rare indeed as penguins hitherto were not known to exist in the Northern Hemisphere! Perhaps a few too many pints the night before added to the sighting....

The gail persisted and no amount of encouragement by our fearless leader, Fintan Murphy, could persuade the drenched riders to follow the beautiful coast line up towards Belfast. Instead we followed the lashing lorries and river of asphalt that is the sometimes on, sometimes off M1 and finally arrived at our hotel - Wellington Park Best Western in Belfast - just in time to see the sun break out and light the way to bed.

The young braves and Indian maidens of our band have been a terrific addition to the tribal experience of this summer ridin' grounds adventure. From Stella's beautiful hair extensions to Rachel's keen eye for photography; from the IT wizardry of Heath and penny ante poker of Daniel to Mason's insatiable appetite for both lollies and wrestling, they have been overall well behaved and a pleasure to have along. Mason was awarded the "Princess" banner for leaving his wallet on the Dublin Tour Bus but it was retrieved and all was well save his pride. As we faced the lashing from the Irish Sea yesterday though, it is Hannah Birthisel that should get a reward for her steadfast duty as a marshall and pillion on her dad's 48 V-Indian. She was finally pulled off the bike at our lunch stop in Carrickdale and flashed her sweet smile dripping with Irish rain.

A soft bed, a cup of tea and another day of this great adventure closes its weary eyes. Goodnight for now.