The flu

OK, so I have blogged for ages - I know. Part of the reason is that we have both been down with a nasty bug - probably "the flu". We are not vaxxed for "the flu" for what that is worth. Anyway it was nasty the first week: unable to function in any positive manner... and it dragged on for almost four weeks. So I haven't felt like blogging and had nothing of consequence to say anyway. The only "fun" thing since ,my last post was a quick trip down to Rosslare on the train from Connelly station - such a beautiful ride - and back again as far as Wicklow to catch the new "local link" (Arklow to Sallins) 183 bus service which goes past the bottom of our road.

Oh, and biking to intercept and then walking the new Ballymore loop - full marks to whoever conceived and executed this walk.

Five mile point

Five Mile Point

This was my first proper ride using the new Trek bike. Statistics: 67.75 miles, max speed 40.9, average speed 11.2 mph, total time including stops about 8 hours. Neck a bit sore, legs a bit jelly like, and ready for bed!

The map shows the route near the destination - over the Wicklow Gap, Laragh, Annamoe then turn right, Sandwich at Tomriland crossroads, left before Tiglin, right onto R764 then follow magenta lines in map.

The sea was very cold - I was in and out in a flash!

Five Mile Point looking south to Wicklow Town

Looking sort of north

Train approaching from Arklow at high speed...

My return followed the green lines on the map through Newtown Mount Kennedy, left onto the Roundwood road with its insane uphill, purchasing some sustenance in Roundwood then back over the Sally Gap and Blessington.  Oh the bliss of reaching the summit!

Five Mile Point sort of marks the beginning of the Murrough, a coastal wetland system which stretches about 15km north of Wicklow Town, and probably deserves exploring.  There are some pretty pictures of it here.