Republic of Ireland Day 9 Schull

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Day 9 Schull
It looks like we may be heading for a wild day,but who knows. The rain has just eased off after hitting the windows for a while, but at least the wind will blow us along for some time until we turn the headland at Bantry. I would like another day like yesterday where we saw 3000 cyclists heading in the opposite direction on the Rebel Tour of Cork 160km sportive and where the sun was shining on all the boats in Castletownbere harbour at night. Maccarthys Bar was also good last night with the walls plastered with memorabilia and there was even a bacon slicer on the counter and posters everywhere such as the one I posted denying access to Thieves, Fakirs Rogues and Vagabonds. The morning continued overcast but luckily only a quick shower of rain. A brew at the Spar shop at Gelgarriff and then lunch at Bantry where we met a changeable wind pattern with much of it on our face. The road did not always give us a good view of the coast, but when it did it was pleasant. Up into the hills again on three separate climbs in the afternoon, only to 150 metres, or less, but high enough to be rough pasture with many rushes and rocks and sheep grazing. Not many donkeys today but several horses and ponies plus several signs wishing ’Good Luck’ to various sports teams. We dropped down to Toormore and Altar along the south coast before heading east to Schull with a marvellous tail wind. A few hardy souls rode Westwards to Mizen Head, which is the most south westerly point of the mainland. Unluckily the sun turned to rain shortly after we arrived at the Schull Harbour Hotel and the Mizen Head group got a soaking. Schull is a pretty town almost 15km directly north of Fastnet Rock, the location of one if the points on the BBC Shipping forecast. The hotel has a gym in the basement but sadly none of our group were keen for more exercise. Tomorrow's route now continues heading east along the south coast going through Skibbereen, Leap, Klonakilty and Kinsale to Carrigaline just south of Cork. A westerly wind will just do us fine.

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