Home again, and a big thank you

September 20, 2009 at 8:28 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

Well, I slept in my own bed last night; it’s really nice to be home.  There are so many people I need to thank, and I cannot possibly name them all, but few need special mention – Gillian (my bank manager, logistics organiser, partner, pickmeupper extraordinare, covering all domestic chores in my absence, meeting me in Westport), Karen, my first overnight stop and my farewell breakfast, Graham for driving me to Newry and meeting me in Letterkenny, Mary and Lesley, their map of Ireland and farewell card, Joe, and his offer of accommodation in Belfast, Ian for picking me on the side of the road near Mallow, and for bringing me home, Pat for giving me the time off, Ger L, Paul G, John K, John H, Franko, Brid, Niall B, for picking up the slack in my absence, Sarah and Andrew, Allanah Keelan & Boo, Judy & John, Keith & Elaine, Raymond & Catherine, Nora, Matt & Margaret, AnnMarie, Tricia & Bill, Brian & Jo, Abby & Matt, John W, Margaret McC, John B, Kieran R, Mick B, Ger N, Mags K, Kieran I, Rose C, Noel O’C, David H, Cathal G, Mags C, Brendan McG, Mary McH, Trish McL, Liz and Dave, Andew G, Alan C, Denis B, Eoin O’R, Karen B, stranger Dave, Randy and Ellen Rosenberg from Philadelphia, Shiela and Leslie from Enniskillen, and everyone else who sent me good wishes.

The final stats

Days travelling – 24
Days cycling – 20
Wet days – 11
Distance travelled – 1296.79km
Total height ascended – 9,418m
Total calories burned – 42,189
Falls – 3
Bites/stings – 2

What I missed most

• good coffee every day
• my power shower
• being able to open the wardrobe and have a choice of fresh clothes to wear
• smokeless fuels, you forget the difference this has made in Dublin
• having someone pack/unpack for me
• my laptop

What I will miss now that I’m home

• comments, texts, mails and general support and encouragement from everyone
• the wide open spaces
• starting a new adventure every day
• being in the outdoors all day (even in the rain)
• visiting/researching new locations

What I won’t miss

• the hills, the hills
• loose dogs barking and chasing me
• inconsiderate and ignorant drivers
• token bicycle lanes
• potholes and poor road surfaces
• the smell of dirty/damp clothes
• the uncertainty of where I will sleep/eat when I arrive in a new town
• the smell of slurry
• Bruises, blisters, pains

What will be different

• I’ll certainly be keeping up with the cycling, and keeping fit in general
• Commuting to work is an option, we’ll have to see.  Starting out on a wet dark morning needs a lot of discipline
• Lots more hill training
• A much greater apprciation of what cyclists have to put up with on Ireland’s roads

I’ve updated the Itinerary map, the Best Of (So Far) list, and I’ve added some extra photos to the blog, all up on the right hand side.  I’ve just collected my Farmhouse Apple Pie from Margaret, my mother-in-law, and I’m off to brew a pot of coffee.

Here’s to next year’s adventure

Thanks to one and all, Kieran.

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