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.

Galway to Dublin......

We departed this morning for a smooth ride to Dublin. We stopped at Clonmacnoise Monastery for a tour of the oldest ruins and it is believed the oldest book written in the world. The tour guide gave us a detailed run down of the history. We then rode on to Athlone for lunch. We lunched next to Athlone Castle and rushed down the road to see the oldest pub in Ireland only to find it was shut today. We then road on to Dublin and once again the gods were kind to us as we arrived safe and dry to our motel. The tartan award tonight went to Gerard for adjust the bolts on his head only to find in the end that it was some one elses bike.

Aran Islands

On Saturday 18th July we boarded a bus for a tour of the Aran Islands via a ferry first. It was a long day but well worth it. The iron horses were left to rest at the hotel while we explored the old Celtic villages on the ancient island. These are the oldest islands in Ireland which still speak the old language. We had one of the locals on a quick bus trip around the isle and we had to ask him to slow down so we could understand him. We walked about a klm up the hill to an ancient old fort which dropped to a sheer cliff. A bit daunting when there's no fence around the cliff and a sheer 500 ft drop. The guide had a wealth of info about the island including its only 9 mile x 3 miles and a population of 800. It is littered with stone fences everywhere and partly for boundaries but also to clear the land. The rock fences measure 7000 mile. (You have no idea)

This is where the original Aran knitwear comes from and there were a few bought by the ladies.

The kids enjoyed looking at the leprachauns houses scattered around the island. However, it was a battle dodging all the pushbikes which were hired by tourists.

We caught the last ferry back at 5pm and made it back to camp for dinner even though it was early to bed for most.

The tartan sash went to Phil White the next morning for coming to breakfast with his t-shirt back to front and inside out but the award almost went to Dorothy, for not dressing her partner correctly.

Killarney to Galway.....

Friday 17th July we departed for Galway city via the Atlantic west coast of Clare. The weather held out all day even though the clouds were threatening. The gods were with us as the rain started just as we stopped at the Bellbridge Hotel where the Spanish amada was sunk by Sir Francis Drake at Spanish Point.

After lunch it was on to visit the Cliffs of Moher overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The road there was just as rough as the ocean and a few pillions were a bit worse for wear. It was a long walk up to the famous cliffs made more difficult by the fact that the winds were blowing a gale. Still it was worth the walk and the views were spectacular.

On to the Menlo Park Hotel for two nights. We had our usual dinner together and the tartan princess award went to Finton (our irish guide and Conor's brother) for holding us up in the morning because his bike had a flat tyre.

Exciting images from incidents of interest from Day 5

Welcome back readers - here are a few images from Peter B's camera showing Peter Van S sizing up the mad locals

Here are some more of the images we promised you from the other day's events

Dr Neville Frankenstein after the electrical meltdown

Due to technical difficulties we are unable to bring you the anticipated video of Peter snotting the Irish Gits ... maybe later

This is Dr Neville after the electrical meltdown

Peter Van S having a "chat" with the protestors

Here we see Peter off his bike and interacting with the locals - this is after he took the swing at the bloke in the wagon.

Today's ride (Friday) from Killarney to Gallway was SPECTACULAR and a guest blogger will enlighten you all as to what happened to who when in the next couple of days.

Day 5 of the Irish Leg - Free Day to do what ever you like.....

Greetings from Killarney valued Blog Readers to a run through of today’s events. Day 5 of our Irish Leg Itinerary reads “this is a free day to do what you want” and that is exactly what everyone did. Some of us stayed in Killarney and took in the sights of scenery and shops and others took the option of a ride into “Ryan’s Daughter” Country- the highlands of the area around Kenmare and the Healy Pass with a lunch stop at Teddy O’Sullivan’s Pub on Bunaw Pier in Killmakillogue. (Try saying that when you have had a pint or 2 of the local brew – Phew!)
The ride commenced at 11 am after a bit of tinkering with machines – Chris needing to do a full rebuild on clutch and both primary cases - he had done a little bit of work on the machine back in Cork and some studs broke off the clutch basket and made their way out of the Primary cover leaving a hole which leaked a very large puddle of oil in the carpark at the previous night’s accommodation. The bike now needs 2 new primary cases and a cush drive. This has taken the pressure of Steve Kavanaugh’s bike being the “parts donor” bike. Needless to say Chris has had a lovely ride with Conan in BV1 today watching the day’s events unfold. About 2/3 of the group took the ride/ drive option and as said, off we went at 11am with the Murphy Bros. leading the way again. Marshalling now down to a fine art, we motored along some very bumpy roads with the rigid frame bikes really feeling the speed a little bit – so the pace at times was slower.
First incident of interest today:
As Merredith told you yesterday there was a protest happening on the road out of Killarney by angry locals objecting to laws about horse poo – or near enough. They had formed a picket line on one the main roads that we navigated through yesterday and they were at it again today. Unfortunately they had not had a good brekky and were very angry with the world and that included our little band of merry riders. Phil P rode through to the ire of the horse and wagon owners amidst boos and yells. Jim was involved in a mêlée and as he was next was nearly assaulted by 3 of the protestors – Sharon jumped out of the car to assist Jim but the Garda were there and they moved the men so Jim could get by. Annie, with Sharon now aboard but hanging out of the window watching Peter Van S at the rear, was driving the Black Car and she too was able to get by but by this time we at the back were being jostled by the protestors as they reversed their horses and wagons in our way. This blogger was quite concerned about being dragged from her bike so kept as close to the car as possible. Conor turned off his bike and pushed it through with Fintan trying to talk to the locals to make them see reason. Peter Van S was threatened by the men and he got off his bike and took a swing so we are told, and Peter B has the photos to prove it. Jim, who had got through first kept going and that was the last we saw of him until we met at the lunch stop at the little pub on the Atlantic. Needless to say the tour did not return to Killarney by that route this afternoon.
Second Incident of interest today:
Frank Hutch got a rear flat tyre and was put in BV1 – a little hairy for him as the road was narrow and potholey but he didn’t lose it – well done Frank. Readers please take note that the bike Frank is riding he bought in 1961 and has been riding it ever since (so he already knows what a flat feels like!)
Third Incident of interest today:
6 riders took the option of driving the Healy Pass on the Beara Peninsula – a high rocky mountain pass that is the home of goats and sheep that have NO road sense and then through Glengarrif (“where Fintan’s wife’s parents had their honeymoon”). On the way down we had a stop and Neville left his bike running as we regrouped to which the vibrations caused the bike to topple – this Blogger was riding down the road pointing to the bike as it fell in slow motion to which Neville gaily stood and waved back! And then you should have seen him run! No damage – just a nomination for Princess. We also passed Dugal coming the other way as we were heading in to Glengarrif – caught up with him when we got to Kenmare.
Fourth Incident of interest today:
The roads we have been travelling on are narrow but 2 cars or even a bus and a car can pass each other – with a spare centimetre or 2 tolerance! But when a little old lady in a little silver car just props in the middle of the road to give way to another car FOR NO GOOD REASON what is a little blue scout rider to do but fish tale down the road completely locked up?! And then when she is just about out of it to be rammed from behind by Brett’s BlackHawk because there was no where for him to go – I have to ask you reader, what is a girl to do? Well you just put it into the ditch – yes! So when the others stopped all they could see was Brett getting up from his bike and Lyndel was pinned underneath both bikes laying comfortably in the only bit of clearing there was along the stone wall lined route! So, Brett has a swollen ankle and a bent front end and Lyndel has a bruised rib, bruised ankle and a bent rear end (guard that is). Both riders and bikes took the 4 wheel option to return to base camp. As this blog is being written the mechanic I have brought along with me for this trip is doing a bit of panel beating and straightening of before mentioned machine in order for this factory rider to resume the tour tomorrow.

Fifth Incident of interest today:
Peter B rode out in his Vindian this morning but returned to Base after 2km to swap said Vindian, because it was running like a piece of #*@+!,with the ’38 he has brought as his “spare” bike. I have been reliably informed by Dorothy that he had a minor breakdown on the way home with the splinter group who did not do the Pass ride. Flat battery and then carby trouble – luckily there were many Phils there to give him “sound advice” and it was back on the road in minutes – about 30.
Sixth Incident of interest today:
Neville has exploded 2 ignition coils – yes reader not one but TWO ignition coils. BREAKING NEWS! This is now a major electrical meltdown – graphic images to follow!
So cherished Blog Reader – to this point in time we can honestly say the day has been eventful, memorable and not withstanding absolutely sensational riding. County Kerry may have crazy inhabitants but the country side and its breathtaking changes of scenery have made today a day to truly remember – ouch, my poor ankle!!!!
Post Script: Today’s Blogger has just been examined by Dr Dugal and the diagnosis is a cracked rib – ouch my poor rib!!!!! Brett has retired the bike and is now limping off to dinner.

Wednesday 15th July

Bit of a late night last night but up bright and early for todays ride to Killarney. Leaving the Carrigaline Court Hotel the weather is clear and the sun is out. Don't try to get fuel before 7am in Carrigaline, nobody is awake yet!

All set to go 9am bikes and vehicles lined up then Conor bike no go. Many hands trying to fix it. Peter B said unload '38 chief from back of van. 5 minute rule well and truely up! Stopped at Blarney Castle for 2 hours at 10am. The weather is hot and sunny and then some surprise rain in the morning, afternoon beautiful weather. Lunch was soup and sandwiches. Moll's gap lookout over the amazing views. Phil \p copped the princess award for dropping his bike in front of 100 people, so he beat Conor for keeping 30 people waiting this morning.
Long winding roads but very rough especially for rigid bikes.
Arriving at Kilarney national park we were confronted by a protest about not wanting horses to wear nappies as council forced this issue, \\\\\\\\\\Indians break picket line and pushed through protestors to enter park to boo's and hisses. Tour through muckross house very nice.
On to kilarney towers hotel in peak hour traffic. Safe riding for all.