28th October 2014        10-13℃        25km by bike
Trearddur Bay – Irish Sea – Dublin (Ireland)

It was to be a very short ride today, down to the port at Holyhead, and onto the ferry to Dublin.

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On board the ferry, with the bike strapped down at three points in preparation for the crossing, I found a seat and settled in. There was a savage wind blowing force 8, and the captain made an announcement in advance of our departure, warning that it would be a rough ride, for at least the first hour.

He wasn’t wrong.

Not long after leaving, children started crying and adults turned green. Me included. It was particularly unpleasant. The boat had plenty of seasick bags available, and staff replenishing them. Fortunately I didn’t chunder myself, but felt atrocious for almost the entire 3hr journey.

On arriving in Dublin, I rode into temple bar, parked on the footpath and stuffed my face with a burrito. I felt much better after that, and located a guest house for the night, before taking a stroll around town and eating some traditional Irish fare, soda bread, Shepards pie. A good feed.

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27th October 2014         12-15℃        327km
Melbourne – Trearddur Bay

I was the guest of Richard & Cathy last night, staying at their lovely family home in Melbourne.  After a good nights sleep, I headed out to Wales again, to explore Snowdonia.

Snowdon national park was simply stunning, despite the lashing rain, the mist, cold, and crazy winds at 70km/h.   When there was a small break in the weather, it always revealed a stunning vista, great views across the lakes and mountains.

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Passing through the town of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, I ended the day at Trearddur Bay, prepared for the ferry crossing to Ireland tomorrow, the final country on my cross continental journey from Singapore.   A small amount of apprehension as the journey comes towards its conclusion.

 

26th October 2014            15’C                347km
Llandielo – Melbourne (UK)

I was basically making a sprint across Wales today, to get myself back, close to Birmingham, to catch up with friends, Richard & Simon.

So it was a case of breaking some speed limits, and taking a few straight and boring roads to make my destination before dark. Although I started the day exploring a nearby castle and stomping through the mud to get there.

I reached Melbourne at around 530pm, and was soon in the family comforts of Richard & Cathy’s home.  With a hot cup of tea my frozen fingers were soon restored and we headed off to the local pub for a meal and ales, together with friend Simon.

I worked together with Richard & Simon for many years, we travelled together to the US on numerous occasions for business, and the guys at IHG are some of the nicest, most genuine people, aside from being absolute professionals.  We had a great evening catching up over a few Hobgoblin ales.

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