ROSSLARE TO TULLOW

Outside our motel last night was Cycle Route 3. Because the main road was wide and had no traffic, we used this to cycle to Wexford. It was flat, a little boring. and there was a headwind. As a start, it could have been better but one hour later we were tucking into our second breakfast of the day in Wexford, the first having been miniscule. Outside was another cycle route sign. Inside the restaurant, a very hairy man was trying to chat up the waitress.

Our plan for this trip is to cycle up the centre of Ireland to Ballycastle where there is a passenger ferry that takes us to Scotland. I have the map and Dagmar has her device. Between the two, route planning works well. Unfortunately nothing shows cycle routes. We decided that there should be enough time to visit Sligo on the west coast. We work out a first day and see a line of mountains ahead. One is the Blackstairs Mtns and the other the Wicklow Mtns. There seems to be a gap between and we can travel mostly on minor roads.  Our next town is Enniscorthy and our first sight is a steep hill with a castle on top. This must have been a troubled town historically because many battles are recorded. Today, however, a restaurant is full with families having Sunday lunches all at the same price of 12.50 euros. We both have salmon and the portions are so large that I have doubts about my cycling ability for the rest of the day.  Dagmar leaves the potatoes..

Our route took us up beside the River Slaney and, in the sunshine, Dagmar commented that there are a thousand shades of green to be seen in Ireland. The landscape grows on you the further upstream you are. The lower reaches are quiet farming areas, attractive but unremarkable. However it improves the further north you are and it becomes close to being spectacular.  "Why am I going faster than you?" asks Dagmar. I reply that it is a slow bike ride, but I am also mindful that I have eaten two breakfasts and a large lunch.
We stop at Clonegal to take photos.

While Dagmar took pictures of the river, my favourite was the general store in this image. Not many years ago, there were lots of places like this in Ireland where you could buy fuel, food, ironmongery and have your tractor or car serviced.  Not even Tesco offers as many services as that today.
Our distance today was 55 miles and we needed our suncream. Dagmar also has a blog but remember to use your translate key