Here it is on the fourth of July, my favorite holiday, and I find myself visiting an national park ni a foreign country. not bad. and there were cows grazing on the land here in this national park, unheard of by the department of the interior.
It’s a bit strange what got us here today. after riding the Dingle loop in one day, Peg and I were planning on riding back out to the Dingle Penninsula together, this time by a different route. we did and when we arrived, we learned that there is no cross-bay ferry to take us to the ring of Kerry, (one penninsula to teh south). Rather than bike all that over agan, and to save Pegs bum knees, we threw our bikes on a bus and hitched a ride to Kilarney. We started early and were well on our way when we stopped at teh national park, only a few miles out of town. That’s when we learned about tomorrow’s “25th Annual Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle.” The entire ring of Kerry (112 miles-a keen number of miles for any Ironman triathlete-that’t the distance of the bike leg) all in one day, with support for when you need it, and a challenge for all. So had the ferry been running, we would not be able to participate in tomorrow’s ride. Apparently, the ring od Kerry is something to take a few days to “do” even in a car, but I like the challenge of it, it’s for a good cause (which we were not able to ascertain what that cause was) and it’s a pretty main event here in southwest Ireland.
Were also staying at this really unique little hostel instead of camping what with the distance of the ride and and the rain that has descended once again on the town. The hostel has really long corridors that remind me of 518 Canning St, the house I lived in in Melbourne, Australia. There is artwork on the ceilings along with tapestries and mirrors and several hundred tea cups hanging from hooks. and upstairs, you have to duck to not hit your head to walk along the corridor.
The facade on the front is painted bright red and yellow and green, and ther eare many bikes lined up along the front. it’s looks great next to the fifty-four star hotel that is right next door. i’m sure the high paying customers love having this hostel next door.
well, it’s five Euro per hour to write these words, and I’ve got to go get ready for tomorrow’s big ride of the ring of Kerry.
