Stage nine: Newfield to Sligo…Reasons To Be Cheerful, Pt.3!

It was a bit tricky trying to get some breakfast but it sorta worked: after three hours of sleep (the band called it a day after their 25th encore and the guests were vocal until 0200hrs. Gits, hah-hah!

She kept watch at the top of the stairs. Frankly terrifying.

One is a relic, too thirsty and causes noxious emissions. Other one has four doors!

No way could the scenery match yesterday’s, but there were some spots…

I was quite looking forward to the first stop after 25 miles, not least for a Mocha. From the world’s slowest pouring coffee machine. Irrational sleep-deprived rage talking there, hah-hah!

Fall-back if the punditry work dries up.

Why that’s my hometown!

Hurry up you cart! Yeah, because 30 secs will make all the difference over 10 hours…

S’alright innit?

You sure about this move, Paul?

Downhill! Followed by uphill! Bollocks!

Sticking to the coast wasn’t all bad then.

Despite the not entirely kind winds, progress was okay and a late lunch was called at 65 miles in Ballina. No real dramas I thought…maybe another 35 miles and we’re home and hosed. Not so fast, pal. Er…the route in to Sligo was a main drag and a couple of local cyclists advised against it as there was almost zero shoulder and the majority of the motorists viewed the 100km/h signs as minimum speeds. No thanks. I went for the slower and longer scenic route even though it added on a few rolling bonus miles.

Your usual table, Sir? Mais our et bonnet de douche. Blinding! #teamtayto

Mate- tow me to Sligo and there’s a century in it for you.

The farmer had no problem stopping the herd for me. Does this at 0700 and 1600 every day. Can take an hour to move all 700 cattle!

If you can find them, maybe you can hire…the G-Team!

Basically it ended-up being a 110 mile day: I’ll be drawing-down on those excess miles tomorrow, as it’s probably about 95 miles…into a headwind. Still, don’t have nightmares! Tonight’s acco is fine and does not feature any live music acts within proximity. Bueno!

It wasn’t that tidy 3 mins later, hah-hah!

For Pauline…Geoff’s Mum.

So there was the small matter of finding the right pub for the post-stage Guinness: it can’t be any old gaff…in the event, Furey’s was the right choice!

Lovin’ your work!

Oh yus indeed.

Somewhere under there is a steak. Sorry, was.

The standard two items of business remain…

Not a complete walk in the park. Job done though. Onwards!

And the tune of the day is one ID’s finest, which means it is very good indeed…(sorry, that was another of his!)

There’s only another £650 to reach the magic ‘five figures’. Outstanding effort from everyone innit!