Travellers’ tales: Happy end-to-ending – by bike and car

While I’ve had numerous cycling adventures, they’ve been without my partner, Christine. We decided on a joint trip to Ireland, with me cycling from Mizen Head to Malin Head and Christine driving. Christine planned the route and the miles each day. (You don’t argue with a Weakest Link winner!)

We crossed on the Cork ferry and camped for the first night near Baltimore. Next morning I headed for the start at Mizen Head. The next nine days and 465 miles – through Bantry, Killarney, Limerick, Galway, Donegal, Letterkenny and Buncrana – flew by.

We settled into a daily routine of: breakfast together; my morning departure; Christine moving the tent to its new location; an afternoon coffee on my arrival. Then the rest of the day was spent sightseeing, eating and looking for Irish pub music.

We enjoyed stunning scenery throughout, particularly the Dingle Peninsula and the karst landscape of the Burren, although clouds hid the view over the Caha Pass. We were pleasantly surprised by the camping at Killarney and the fish and chips at the Dingle chippy. Local people offered warmth and friendliness throughout.

Near the end, crossing Lough Swilly on the small Buncrana ferry in stormy conditions, I felt sure my late mum was giving me encouragement.

I met Christine at the finish at Malin Head in thankfully dry conditions. A wonderful shared experience!