Round Ireland with(out) a fridge... (Day 1of8)

The plan, well there wasn't one to start with... we just wanted a break, you know, somewhere warm, lots of sunshine and relaxing... so how did we end up touring Ireland on bikes then? (still searching for the answer on that one!)

I guess part of the inspiration was the excellent read Tony Hawks's "Round Ireland with a fridge" - such a funny book, but very evocative reading too

We took up Aidan's very kind offer, made some time ago, that if ever we wanted to come across to Ireland, just give him a call. Well call him we did and before you knew it we had suggested itineraries, places to visit, routes etc etc, fantastic!

We set off on the bikes at 6.40am on Saturday 20th August, a BMW R1200GSA and a Honda VFR800FW and headed off to Stranraer for the 12 noon Stena sailing to Belfast. Good weather on the way there and we were surprised at how quiet the roads were, wasn't this the peak holiday season?

Arrived at the port with plenty of time. The last stretch to Stranraer has some beautiful views along the A75. Weather was good and the bikes going well. We'd learned some lessons from the USA trip last year, courtesy of the HU event last month when we had great advice to pack light. It doesn't look it though, but the panniers are not bursting this time, honest! (Hence us not taking a fridge on the trip)


At the port, ready for embarkation...

The sailing was a breeze, great weather continues. Looking for the famous landmarks... here we go, the H&W cranes (Samson and Goliath) and Sandy tries out the tousled look!




So off the ferry and there's Aidan and Mandy waiting for us, worryingly they had a police car with them, eh up, rumbled already! It turns out it was a local cop wanting a chat, he's taking his test soon and wanted to talk bikes. Soon away threading though Belfast and onto back roads pretty quickly. Aidan thought we'd like to take in a trip to the Harry Ferguson event nearby. He'd thought it a bit of a gamble, I mean who likes old tractors? (well Sandy has a nice little Fergie, 1942 model and her dad's into tractors in a big way) nice one Aidan, loved it!

Harry's birthplace



Here's Sandy modelling with one outside Harry's house...


Ah and here's one she planted earlier...


And then off towards Aidan and Mandy's home where we were introduced to DJ and Connie, but where were the other 99?


A cracking meal, a glass or two of fine wine laid on this evening by Mandy rounded off a long day in a great way. Aidan and I found a reason to stay up a little longer whilst we discussed everything assisted by some fine spirits!

The route so far...