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.