Sunny morning but we headed off into a strong southerly wind of 25mph which I initially was ok as it was broadside for the first 20km along the northern coast past Ballycastle. I dont like wind, unless it is behind. Oh dear! We turned south and found out the true ferocity of the cyclists worst enemy. Not only that but the hills were something out of a ski catalogue which had me walking four times during the day. This is a first ever for me. Mind you I have the kitchen sink with me which I should have posted home a week ago. The scenery was nice, especially as we could see the sea, but would have been better seen from the saddle of a motorcycle. Eventually we descended to the small village of Cushenden where I had a coffee at the Post Office and store for £2, whilst Oscar went to a nearby cafe for coffee and cake for £8. At this point it had drizzled a bit and then cleared just as rapidly. This went on most of the time until mid afternoon but with heavier showers. Leaving Cushendun was not
a nice experience as we had another massive walking hill to Before our final descent to the town of Cushendall. The first shower occurred to me as I was entering cushendall and I took temporary refuge in the doorway of the stone Curfew Tower at the crossroads in town. This is a privately owned residence built by a tea merchant, Francis Turnly, around 200 years ago. The rest of the day was spent non the A2 which follows the coast down to Larne. The first section out of Cushendall was wonderful with the wind behind us, cruising whilst looking at the sea, the herring gulls and the odd stork with little physical effort. However, all good things do not last and as we turned the headland south the wind hit us again and the gears got into underdrive again pedalling at 12 km/hr. Red Bay Castle ruins can be seen on this road before you ride under the Arch over the road. A late lunch was taken at the Twilight Cafe in Carlough before passing the small fishing harbour. The lunch was pea and ham soup, which consisted of thick pea soup and pieces of home cooked ham floating
in it along with some soda bread - delicious. Meanwhile the rain came down again and I was watching from inside the cafe as the two sea urchins arrived by bike from the depths of the ocean for sustenance. The same has just happened as I write this. One minute sunshine and the next I am rushing outside to bring my washing in. Back to the story. Continue turning the pedals around one bay after another hoping for the sun to shine again. The sky is showing five octares of cloud and unfortunately I am under those five octares of cloud and not the other three eights of sunshine. A reduction in wind strength until we finally arrive at the Half Way House Hotel in Ballygally would be nice but it is not happening. The rooms are good but the outside drier is not as good since I have just had to rush out and save my washing. Ten minutes later and the sun is now shining again. Time to take another chance and put my laundry back out under the rainbow.
