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The day begins well, bright and sunny. After a conversation with Morris Doran at the RTC, I set off to Monohan's to send my fax to Marcia. But a tour through the
Yeats museum results in my odometer getting "nicked," a useless item to somebody without the cable hook up. I have found that anything larger than a village in Ireland requires diligence and special attention to security. I try to walk in Irish towns, leaving my bike at my B & B, although in the case of
the "nicked" odometer I was on my way out of town after a brief stop at the Yeats museum. A kid probably walked by my chained bike and decided to "nick" the odometer. I am quite angry - it disturbs the beauty of an odometer that would perfectly record my Irish miles, for I installed a new battery in the device before I left home which set the odometer at "0". Hence, all miles recorded on it would be the miles I
put on in Ireland. I take a ride to Lough Gill over tough hills, but I get some beautiful views - very much like Yeats' view I suppose. I also stop at a Holy Well, something quite popular in Ireland. Some of these wells are supposed to have special benefits for believers. Others are sites of "miracles" or saintly appearances. At this well, workmen are busy running field tile around the well and altar because water seepage has slowly destroyed the facility. Parke's Castle is a beautifully restored 17th Century castle right on Lough Gill. The boat next to the castle will not run today because I am
the only passenger. The fellow is a decent sort who feels badly that I have biked the 7 miles from Sligo. He would have gone out if at least 2 other people had shown up. For some reason I have a burst of energy on the way home, and so I "fly" on my lightened
bike. I decide to go to a bike shop and get my odometer replaced - I rely on it too much and the Irish bike book uses mileage as a key to their routes. For £22 the deed is done, and I learn a lesson. A dinner of spaghetti is a treat and a happy reminder of home. My 25 miles today cover some good hills. (320 miles) |
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