Kilare to Dublin 68km

May 07, 2019

This morning broke with the usual. Bright and sunny but very cold. That has been the order of the day these 10 days. But I am used to it by now if that's possible.
Because its the last day and the fact that I don't need to worry about what I need to cob=ver for tomorrow. My natural disorganisation comes into play.
All week I have been making sure that there was a place for everything.Just so I could go straight for anything I wanted in my bags. Not today! Today everything is just bunged into a bag without any care of were it might be if I need it. Mistake!!
Brekkie is substantial and we are ready to head out into bright sunshine. Tom is giving a presentation this morning and we all know it is going to be difficult for him. But he has Ann and Pat and now us to support him. These are difficult and moving times for all of us but its good to talk and share how we are.
Oh Im forgetting everything this morning. Left my cycling shoes somewhere. No Idea! Not dressed for the cold! put my bike down in Round Towers win Kildare, forgot were I left it! Put my bag on there truck without taking out my windbreak! Totally at sea this morning. I have another pair of shoes. Finally found my bike and was ready to set off at the starting hooter. Our destination is Blessington via Ballymore. Trepidation sets in as I try to figure out the route in my head.
im really cold as we leave, without my rain jacket for heat. I'll get some newspaper for my chest when we stop.
We are stopping in Kilcullen, at the church to present a plaque to the family of Liam Owens. a staunch volunteer with us, who died during the year, prematurely. Liam was a fervent supporter of ours and is sadly missed. He and his son cycled with us in previous years and drove the supplies wagon. a really nice man. RIP and sadly missed.

Moving onto Ballymore via the Queens Road. So called because it was newly tarmac for the queen when she visited. She was calling to Gilltown Stud to look at her horses in training there.
Into Ballymore and OMG we are going up Bishoops Hill.. I try to warn guys but to lake. Most are walking (but not me ;-)
Into Avon Ri in Blessington for lunch . Arrive in lovely hot sunshine to a terrific venue., Sean is there to greet me in. Such a surprise. So good to see him. It hard to leave this place. perfect looking over the lakes. Idylic!
But it doesn't last and we are on our way. Mostly downhimminto Saggart and Rathcoole and across a myriad of roads too Lucan. Crawl up from the Strawberry beds and back to Westmanstown from where we started all this days ago. seems so long and so short since we left.
So many goodbyes now. And it hard to leave these people.