I woke up at 3am, maybe because it was 8am at home. Straight away the pain came back at me. I couldn't get back to sleep & about 4am I took another dose of tablets which helped me get back to sleep for a couple of hours. By 7am I was trying not to move to reduce the pain & decided a Doctor would be the first thing I would trying find. I decided to push back starting the cycle for at least a day in the hope that the ear thing would clear up. At 9am I found a pharmacy & the lady gave me directions to a local hospital & a bus which would take me there. Unfortunately the bus driver forgot to tell me when to get off and I ended up on a wee tour of North Boston which was nice but, not what I wanted at that particular time. On the return journey he didn't forget and after about an hour of registering and waiting I got seen to. Turned out there was no infection which was a relief. The Doctors aid was actually from Monaghan.
I left the hospital about 12.30 and emerged to a Sauna. I couldn't believe how hot it was as it had been cool enough in the morning. Got back to the hostel around 2 and lay down for a while. I fell asleep and didn't wake up until 7.30pm. While I slept there had been a thunder storm and the heavens had opened up but I missed all that. I went out for a bite to eat in a nearby bar. Watched a bit of Basketball. Decided to call it a day & get some sleep and head into town early on Wednesday. Was asleep again by 11pm.
28.5.08
Day 1 - Dublin to Boston
Got to Dublin on Sunday evening & went for a swim in the Hotel where Mum meself & Gabe were staying. I had a stiff neck & thought it would help it. Instead I got a blocked ear which was a little uncomfortable that night. Woke up early with the ear still blocked and went for another swim hoping, perhaps, the ear would clear. No luck. If anything it probably worsened & at breakfast it was sore. This had never happend to me before so I was cursing my luck that it had happened now. We loaded up the bike and headed for the airport.
I was a bit concerned that I'd get hassle over the box we'd put together (an old Starbay box from good old Lot's.... for all your furniture solutions!!!!!!!!) but there was no problem at all. Once the whole check-in routine was over I got pain killers for the ear just in case of problems in the air. After a last cup of tea with Mum & Gabe we managed to get through the goodbyes pretty ok. Mums really do make it tough though!!! Gabe was great, he just laughed at me. And with that I was on my own. I think we parted about 12, the flight was due out at 2pm so I had a little time to kill. 6hrs & three Departure gates later we took off & it was a case of counting down the hours & trying to sleep. As We flew across Ireland there were no clouds, I was able to see Letterkenny & Derry as we crossed the coast. Had I been sitting on the lefthand side of the plane I'd have been able to see Manor which is gas.
The ears were grand for most of the flight but on the descent in to Boston the tablets I'd taken had worn off & the pain started and got worse as we landed. The pain didn't stop this time. At least I got distracted from the pain as, for some reason I was expecting a grilling from immigration as to why I was flying in to the U.S. on a one way ticket (I didn't get any!!!). also I was concened that the bike would be in bits but again the box was fine. I got a taxi into Everett, the suburb where the hostel was & the taxi man was gas. Had a right giggle at me when I told my plans. When he asked me what was in the box I told him it was my wife that we could travel cheaper that way!!. Thankfully he laughed. He was very much supporting Obama in the elections & reckons McCain is dangerous. Anyway got to the Hostel about 10pm and went straight to bed. Despite the ear I was so tired I quickly went to sleep.
I was a bit concerned that I'd get hassle over the box we'd put together (an old Starbay box from good old Lot's.... for all your furniture solutions!!!!!!!!) but there was no problem at all. Once the whole check-in routine was over I got pain killers for the ear just in case of problems in the air. After a last cup of tea with Mum & Gabe we managed to get through the goodbyes pretty ok. Mums really do make it tough though!!! Gabe was great, he just laughed at me. And with that I was on my own. I think we parted about 12, the flight was due out at 2pm so I had a little time to kill. 6hrs & three Departure gates later we took off & it was a case of counting down the hours & trying to sleep. As We flew across Ireland there were no clouds, I was able to see Letterkenny & Derry as we crossed the coast. Had I been sitting on the lefthand side of the plane I'd have been able to see Manor which is gas.
The ears were grand for most of the flight but on the descent in to Boston the tablets I'd taken had worn off & the pain started and got worse as we landed. The pain didn't stop this time. At least I got distracted from the pain as, for some reason I was expecting a grilling from immigration as to why I was flying in to the U.S. on a one way ticket (I didn't get any!!!). also I was concened that the bike would be in bits but again the box was fine. I got a taxi into Everett, the suburb where the hostel was & the taxi man was gas. Had a right giggle at me when I told my plans. When he asked me what was in the box I told him it was my wife that we could travel cheaper that way!!. Thankfully he laughed. He was very much supporting Obama in the elections & reckons McCain is dangerous. Anyway got to the Hostel about 10pm and went straight to bed. Despite the ear I was so tired I quickly went to sleep.
25.5.08
Que Sera...
Howa yez. This is the first proper entry of the blog. The first two were just tests, this is real. I’m still at home in North Leitrim, about to head for Dublin. All is packed and ready to go. A sense of calm has finally come back. I’ve been on edge and tetchy for about 10 days now but thankfully its passed (the calm before the storm). I just want to get on the bike now & eat pasta and lentils for the next 12 months!! I was supposed to head off a week ago but decided to hang on for the Champions League final & Heineken cup Final, Some of the championship games & Trap’s first match. I haven’t been disappointed either. Great Champions League Final, felt sorry for Terry but what Drama!! Magic Munster did it yet again, Celtic dug it out in the end… go on the Bhoys!!! And Trap didn’t lose either so, all in all, a good week. All we’re waiting on now is for Leitrim to turn over the Tribesmen on June 15th. Go on the lads!!
So, for this trip. To be honest, the east coast of the States doesn’t really interest me all that much. I can’t wait to get to the mid-west and the old plains Indians tribal lands. From there it really begins. The old Wild West is where its at for me. I can’t wait to see the lands of the Cheyenne & the Sioux. Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, The Little Big Horn, Wyoming, Dakota….. magical names the sparkled the childhood imagination & brings back memories of sitting up with Dad to watch Westerns.
After that it’s the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada which loom large in the mind as the major landmarks to cross & then it’s the Coast Road down from San Fran to LA. To be honest I don’t really care about the cities, I’m going to avoid most them, it’s the countryside I can’t wait to see (and have a giggle at just how whacky the Yanks are). With the Presidential elections on it will be an interesting time to travel the States & find out just what they actually think of Mr Loony Tunes himself in the White House.
Right, I’m losing the run of myself here… I should head. To all my favourite little people (in no particular order) Danny, Jamie, Keelan, Alys & Little Big Man himself, Sam. Look after yourselves. I’ll be thinking of ye all the way. To all the rest of ye…. the same.
We always try, in our family, to find appropriate lines to mark an occasion and, I think, the following are apt for this particular moment. I’ll leave ye with these……
Of all the money that ‘ere I had, I spent it in good company.
And all the harm I’ve ever done, alas it was to none but me.
And all I’ve done, for want of wit.
To memory now I can’t recall….
So fill with me a Parting Glass, Good night & joy be to you all.
So Fill with me the Parting Glass, and drink a health what ‘ere befalls.
Then gently Rise and softly call, Good night & joy be to you all.
So, for this trip. To be honest, the east coast of the States doesn’t really interest me all that much. I can’t wait to get to the mid-west and the old plains Indians tribal lands. From there it really begins. The old Wild West is where its at for me. I can’t wait to see the lands of the Cheyenne & the Sioux. Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, The Little Big Horn, Wyoming, Dakota….. magical names the sparkled the childhood imagination & brings back memories of sitting up with Dad to watch Westerns.
After that it’s the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada which loom large in the mind as the major landmarks to cross & then it’s the Coast Road down from San Fran to LA. To be honest I don’t really care about the cities, I’m going to avoid most them, it’s the countryside I can’t wait to see (and have a giggle at just how whacky the Yanks are). With the Presidential elections on it will be an interesting time to travel the States & find out just what they actually think of Mr Loony Tunes himself in the White House.
Right, I’m losing the run of myself here… I should head. To all my favourite little people (in no particular order) Danny, Jamie, Keelan, Alys & Little Big Man himself, Sam. Look after yourselves. I’ll be thinking of ye all the way. To all the rest of ye…. the same.
We always try, in our family, to find appropriate lines to mark an occasion and, I think, the following are apt for this particular moment. I’ll leave ye with these……
Of all the money that ‘ere I had, I spent it in good company.
And all the harm I’ve ever done, alas it was to none but me.
And all I’ve done, for want of wit.
To memory now I can’t recall….
So fill with me a Parting Glass, Good night & joy be to you all.
So Fill with me the Parting Glass, and drink a health what ‘ere befalls.
Then gently Rise and softly call, Good night & joy be to you all.
Good night & joy be to you all……..
Good Luck. Talk to ye in the States.
Liatroim Abu!!
12.5.08
In North Leitrim with 'The Gaffer'
Hit the road this morning with Col to do a mini tour of North Leitrim. The weather was great, a hazy sky with a light cooling breeze to our backs made conditions easy. I had cycled this route around the Manorhamilton region before so, while I knew what to expect, I wasn't sure how Col would react to some of the climbs along the way. I had little to worry about as I ended up eating Col's dust on most of the climbs. It was slightly reassuring to hear him say it was tough though. I reckon it was a bit like the old bull and the young bull story. The only mishap along the way occured when the chain came off Col's bike. Thankfully it went back on easily and stayed on after that. We stopped for a drink on the back of Benbo mountain which had a great view over some of North Leitrim's hidden gems.
10.5.08
Marrakesh to Zagora 350km
We left Marrakesh at 7am and hit the road for the High Atlas and the Draa Valley. This journey was stunning. The High Atlas were breathtaking. Stopped for lunch at the famous Casbah of Ait Benhaddou (seen in Gladiator & Lawrence of Arabia). Caught a beautiful sunset view at the qsar of Zagora as two Berber villagers strolled home.
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