The start of a Cycle Tour which starts in Ireland 97
Travel the world with us and enjoy the journey with photos and experiences to match. To Chicago after leaving Wellington & via Melbourne. Staying with Barbara & Tom is a hoot and a great base to buy the gear. Bikes all packed and ready to be freighted to Dublin whilst Mary is in Westport, Ireland spending time with Ronan, her nephew.
Thumbs up and we're on our way in fact out of Dublin at ready to camp by the sea in Wicklow. Visiting the town where the BBC TV program "Ballykissangel" is filmed. The Wicklow mountains, site of the Irish leg of the Tour De France 98. Soon out in the wilderness and up hill on tiny roads.
Our good friend David, outside the ranch house he built himself. Arriving at Dunmore East on the south east coast and a couple of the many thatched cottages dotted all over the Republic. Moving on by small inlets on flat roads.
Arriving in Cork and time to do a doco on the town. So there are still the occasional donkey & cart being used, in this case, to carry the peat after being dug up from the bog. A bit touristy but many ancient castles & towers, oh, and ferry crossings.
Never let it be said that there are no white sandy beaches in the south west as we head for Dingle then on up and around the peninsulas. Mountain climb then miles of downhill through old stone tunnels.
Then the awesome Gap of Dunloe. A strange town with a massive river flow as we head north to Galway Bay, Many Castles in good condition dotted along beside the roads. The cycle tour of the Republic is really spectacular.
Met Nick & Pete from NZ & travelled a bit with them then parted our ways as we head on to Westport & Westport House, one of the classic manors in Westport and busy Westport town. Proud Mary with her Dad after a quiet one at the pub. We nestled in for the cold Irish winter before leaving for Morocco in late January 98. A good time to catch up with family and to de stress before the official "Rob & Mary's World Tour"