Was on the road by 8.30am & straight into climbing. When I reached the top of the firts climb I had a view across a valley & the sight of a ridge about 500m high. Interstate 68 which ran parallel to this 'scenic route' ran straight through the ridge where a huge gash had been blown to allow the road through. And so this day was all about long climbs over ridges followed by steep descents which cramped my legs.
At 9.10am I realised, with a jolt, that Leitrim had just kicked off against Galway in Pearse Stadium. I couldn't believe I'd almost forgotton the match. For the next 2hrs most of my thoughts were on Leitrim's prospects. How would the game pan out, who would play? I went through all the likely starters & wondered how'd they'd fare. The big 'X' factor in the team this year was Emlyn Mulligan, our new free-taker. If he kept his composure we could do damage to Galway this year & possibly be in the hunt in the last 10mins. If the other forwards could chip in with scores a shock would be on. Big question marks hung over Donal Brennan & Ciaran Duignan. Could they redeem themselves after last year. Both looked unfit & disinterested in the league earlier in the year so it was, I felt, make or break for them as they were likely starters.
By 11am, just as the game was ending at home I was on a quiet stretch of road. Approaching a few houses gunshots sarted to ring out. As I passed a house they got really loud. Through tree I glimpsed a guy in a backgarden shooting a handgun down into a hidden hollow. As I saw him he shot again and the noise made me jump & unnerved me. I started to move quicker, I just wanted to get the feck out of there.
400m up the road I saw a petrol station/Diner. At this point the road was rising steeply to another high ridge. It was hot & sticky & with gunshots ringing out behind me I was happy to head for the diner. Inside it was busy with families out for Sunday lunch. I got a gatorade & ordered a roll. The place was busy but there was a nice friendly atmosphere in there. After a few minutes & in between serving people the lady who ran the place came over & said hello. It turned out her mother was from Belfast & was proud of her Irish roots. She had a very relaxed friendly manner about her & it was easy to see why the Diner was popular. She asked for the blog details. So if you're reading this 'Howaya Missus, hi to all in that lovely Diner near Piney Groves. I really enjoyd that Bacon egg & cheese sandwich.
Back on the road it was straight into a tough climb which brought me to the best views on the trip so far. Mind you I was becoming so annoyed with the people who told me Maryland would be flat that I nearly ignored the view. It was really hot & the sweat was pumping from every pore. I was soaked. The nxt hour brought more climbs & descents & in the heat my energy began to flag. I stopped to Drink & n
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