Stage eleven: Gortahork to Moville…Wichita Lineman!

Despite assurances when I checked-in that there’d be some scran available when I showed my face at 0620 the following morning, you never quite believe it. Well, now I’m a believer! Various cereals and tea and toast all a go-go…get in er, get gone!

This absolute beauty was waiting to say hello after only 5 miles…wow!

Couldn’t care less it the weather had a word.

Wot he said.

Seriously, this kinda thing oughta be part of the National Curriculum and NHS!

I didn’t expect such a treat early-doors but after 15 miles you’re back into slightly more normal surroundings and trundling on to Letterkenny (Ireland’s tidiest town in 2015, lest anyone forgets) in increasingly rubbish weather.

Pretty comfortable armchair for early elevenses at Letterkenny. Rocking a Mocha.

This is how dreich it was: even the locals were sheltering!

The objective for today was to reach Malin Head which is the most northerly point on the mainland. It wasn’t gonna give up without a struggle though: between the wind, rain and gradients it had a decent defence.

Too soon, too soon!

There are two ‘orrible climbs protecting MH…this one is merely a nuisance. Wot headwind, hah-hah!

Right then: get the photo, look around, sod-off. #sorted

It is a helluva landscape though…maybe not one for softies like me though.

Okay, job done? Well, sorta…now to retrace about 10 miles to a spot where I hid my panniers, as I it would’ve been too grim to lug them up as well. Result! There they are and away we go to tonight’s acco in Moville!

Used to seeing sheep at the side of the road, but cows? Why not indeed!

#acceptable

I welcomed any downhill, whether lethal to cars or not.

Was going with a different blog song until I saw this poor sod!

Don’t care if it is a tad on the basic side of things…only here for 14 hours. #movealong

This was a more difficult day than I bargained for: maybe I sorta reckoned that being near to the end of the challenge, somehow things would just happen and that would be that. Nah, no way Pedro. So that’s what made this day a bit more special than others…that, and the donations that keep pushing us to very nearly £10k. I’d love to say that tomorrow’s route was nailed-on: I do know where I’ve gotta finish…it should have a couple of sights along the way. I hope!

Rosato’s bar was the spot: ace grub and Guinness. Oh, and iced water…cheers!

Not in any immediate rush to do that again, hah-hah!

And so to today’s blog tune- an absolute belter from Webb & Campbell. Just perfect…good night!