Earache

Tonight we're in Kilkenny, located in south central Ireland. Rolling hills mark the topography and the riding in the area ain't all that hot. Just a stop off on our way west to the good shit. We check into the nicest hotel in town, it's kinda weird as so many other things are here in Ireland to Americans. It's not so much the leather wrapped poster bed, it's not so much the headboard held up with S&M buckles top the wall. It's not even the odd looking chaise lounge. No, it's the totally fucked up leather rocking chair covered in chrome leather. Nice sink though. I'm not gonna sleep well tonight......

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Wicklow Gap area - narrow and fast. Above the tree line. Great road to rail on as you can see so far in the distance. Bumpy as shit though...

Found a church from the 6th century with a bunch of old gravestones. This dude died in 1759!

Today's destination is Kilkenny (You Bastards!), Ireland. I love that joke but no one here seems to get it an dthey just look at me like I'm nuts. It's great joke - they're just not cultured enough to get it. Anyway, cruise the Wicklow Mtns in the SUN!!!!

Made it to Larne, Scotland and rode 150 miles sout to Glenview in the Wicklow Mountains. Of course, it rained like a bitch thge entire way. Suck! Hotel kinda sucked, too - but they had cool Guinness and lots of it... Rooms were sparesly furnsihed but clean. Hotel had a real 1930's feel to it.... Food was okay but the view from the restaurant was cool.....

Got to the dock on time just to hear that our cruise was cancelled due to rough seas. We can come back tomorrow or head south 100 miles to another port and hope to get on there. We humped the 100 miles in a driving gale and got the fuck outta dodge. Passed a few ferries coming towards us as well headed west.... ___ _ __ __ __________

Bar was even odd - kinda modern looking in an old country house. Cold Stella though..... _ _________________

We land in Troon to stay overnight before the ferry tomorrow morning. Stayed in Johnny Walker's (whiskey guy) grandson's house. Cool looking place even though the rooms were kinda weird....

Blowing through central Scotland and heading for the coast. Rain, 45F and winds of about 40 mph. Been riding in this shit for the past three days with no end in sight. Hit a local pub in East Bumfuck for lunch and to get outta the rain for a bit....

Both pics are of the same wall - this is the wall where the French guy gave the "I fart in your general direction" speech in the movie. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V7zbWNznbs __________________

That large arch is a fireplace - 17 feet wide. Big fucking BBQ, eh? At the side of the fireplace are marks in the stone where the cooks sharpened their knives to cut the food.....

Next day and we're heading for the Port of Troon, Scotland to catch the ferry back to Ireland. Lots of time to kill today and we stop by some out of the way Castle that doesn't have many people looking at it. It's pretty remote in the town of Doune. Didn't know it at the time, but they filmed all of "Monty Python's Holy Grail" here. How cool is that? __ ________________

I always wondered how accurate these cannons were. Did they actually aim them, or just blast away and hope they hit something? Decent sized cannon balls - would put the hurt on you if it nailed you... Stopped by the cafe for tea and scones (yeah, I'm a fag), great views of Edinburgh from here...

A few pistols, some armour and a pig sticker or two.....

Edinburgh, Scotland - Did the castle as Judy hadn't been there. I'll just post a few of the pics I took there. __________________

The skies cleared mid-morning and we got some decent riding in, up Wicklow Gap and several other roads that I can't remember. Ihave it mapped out someplace though.... The Gap area...

Couple of days in Edinburgh and we head for Troon for the ferry back to Ireland. Naturally, it was cancelled for some reason so we humped it south to Carnryan for another ferry. Missed that one by 10 minutes so we got to hang out there for 3-1/2 hours. Did get to see the Doune Castle where they filmed Monty Python's "The Holy Grail". Highlight of my trip to Scotland.... "I fart in your general direction..." Back to Ireland and we ride for the Wicklow area. SOmeone recommneded the Glenview Hotel and it was nice enough. Good drinks in the bar and a nice view from the restaurant....

We picked up the bike in Naas on Monday and yesterday was the first day with little to no rain that we've had since. Not complaining though - day on a bike in the rain beats a day at work anytime. After getting the bike, we headed to Larne for the night so we could get on the ferry the next day for Scotland. Wifey wanted to see the Edinburgh Castle, so off we went. Had a great room at the Sheraton Grand with a view of the castle out the window.... Won't bore you here with the 200 pics I took.

More pics from the Castle later today or tomorrow. Might even get a picture of some pubs and some beers if the Wife will still believe the ruse I've been using

But we made it safely back to our hotel. Then up the steps to the first floor and lo and behold; "Look Honey, a hotel bar!" And one last Guinness for the night...

Time to head back to the hotel for the night. Took the short cut across the Princes Street Gardens and into the graveyard of St. John's Church. Nothing spooky about this place at all.... I like skulls... Crypts with open doors and empty tombs are kinda strange. I fully expect to see some zombies wondering around here....

"Look Honey, another pub!" I use this line a lot and so far, it's been working. This place had more shit nailed to it's walls and celing than any place I've ever been. Although a good dusting wouldn't hurt it, it was kinda cool. Nice selection of golf clubs... Nailed a Guinness here...

More walking down the street....

Just wouldn't be right to pass all of these cool pubs and not have a pint... Start off with a Stella... Next pub and some local swill that really sucked. Don't get me wrong; I drank it, but it sucked.