Checkpoint 3 is now in the rear view mirror and the team are heading to perhaps the most important stop on our trip today; Daisy Lodge.
I’ll talk more about the importance of Daisy Lodge on today’s trip in the next blog post, but for now lets see where our intrepid bunch of riders have been up to this point!
Roaring through An Líonán
Leenaun, or Líonán Cinn Mhara meaning valley at the head of the sea in Irish, is a picturesque costal village on the shore of Killary Harbour, and if you take a look at some of the pictures in our Galway Gallery over on the Live Updates page, you’ll see just how stunning the place really is.
Stretching over 1,845 acres, Leenaun hosts quite the array of amenities. Two pubs, a hotel and spa, two guest houses, a post office, a shop, a community centre, the aforementioned Purple Door cafe and a Sheep and Wool Museum!
Rather interestingly, one of the guest houses is situated in an old convent of the Sisters of Mercy, with breakfast served in the old chapel. Not sure I’d be brave enough to stay there, but each to their own!
In 2007 heavy rain destroyed the bridge that connects the two parts of the town, meaning residents and passers-by had to take a massive 100km diversion just to get from one side to the other.
Thankfully for our riders the bridge was rebuilt in 2009 and still stands strong to this day in the face of often adverse weather.
None of that today though, as the sun is shining and things are currently dry, although the wind is quite cutting.
Leenaun has also played host to a couple of feature films, the most famous being The Field starring John Hurt and Richard Harris.
Impromptu Food Review
This section is especially for all of you out there that fall firmly into the ‘I couldn’t ride a 13 mile bike ride never mind a 130 mile one’ bracket like myself.
As I don’t have a lot more to say until the team make it to Daisy Lodge, I’ll take a moment to mention my lunch.
I headed over the road to the KFC and grabbed a few bits to keep me going. While I appreciated the server commenting that he loved my outfit, I didn’t appreciate them forgetting to put my fries in the bag quite so much. However, as I’m sure we’re all aware, KFC fries are on the very bottom rung when it comes to takeaway fries, so I wasn’t too upset.
KFC does hit different in Ireland though, for one reason and one reason alone…
Instead of Fanta they have this drink called Club Orange, and wow! For a start it lives up to it’s name, being possibly the most vibrant orange liquid I’ve ever seen, and it tastes FAR better.
Why are Ireland keeping this nectar from us in England? I have no idea but if I can find it in 2ltr bottles then some is coming home in my case.