Tuesday July 20th
I led the way out of Gort onto the Loughrea road. This was a busy unpleasant road - too many cars and potholes. It took just over an hour to travel the 25 kilometres into Loughrea. I left the group to say hello to two of my customers in the town. It was unusual for them to see me in my cycling gear so we had a good laugh for a brief moment until I joined back with my fellow cyclists. About a mile on the east side of the town we headed into unmapped roads but hopefully still heading in the direction of Roscommon. The terrain was flat, boggy, potholed and grassy but exciting, interesting and friendly. The excitement was partly due to the fact that we may be lost, the friendliness came from the natives who all waved. We met a farmer who asked us if we had seen a black beast down the road. We determined that he had not lost his cow but rather wanted someone to stop and talk.
Near Cappataggle we arrived at a crossroads and asked for directions. The farmers name was Brendan Glynn who invited us in for a cup of tea. After thirty minutes of stories about eligible bachelors in the area for Anna Maria, life on the building sites in Birmingham where Brendan worked etc. we emerged to have our picture taken outside his turf shed (see picture).
We had planned to have our lunch break in Ahascragh. On arriving there we found no place open so we knocked on the door of a pub. The publican explained that there was very little business doing in the middle of the afternoon in this small village but invited us in, sent Seamus down to the shop to buy cheese, ham and bread. Bridie made the nicest sandwiches we had tasted ever while Mick the pub owner showed us pictures of all the interesting people who frequents his pub including radio presenter Sean Moncriff, an actor from Emmerdale, a local poet who was invited to the Queen's birthday. He promised to hang up our picture with all these dignitaries. The kindness, fun and food that we received here was priceless but we were not allowed pay for it as they said that our mission was sacred.
From Ahascragh to Roscommon the roads were good and fast, not too much traffic, some gradual climbs but mainly flat. We reached the Abbey hotel in Roscommon town before 5pm. It was a 4 star luxurious hotel with everything laid on - Good food, spacious clean rooms, the pool and gym were first class. This day had been a really fun relaxing sunny day and we were now enjoying the best of facilities in luxurious surroundings. I would give the Abbey 9/10, they made our short stay very pleasant.