"Keep It Between the Hedges"

August 6, 2014
(Happy Birthday, Nate!)
Castlerock, Northern Ireland

Camped in an open field surrounded by woods tonight. Last night we camped next to the remains of a church an cemetery built in the 1300's.


Night before on a coastal overlook.


Night before that along a stream by the side of the road.



Night before that in a campground we took refuge in during a torrential rain storm.

Been a hilly and rainy week. But between the hills and the drops we've met some kind Irish souls and seen castles and cliffs and unusual geological formations.

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And I had a 65th birthday this week. Hate to admit my age, but it is what it is. And how many women my age are doing what I'm doing? (Or would want to, some would say:)). April began my special day with coffee cake. Rich cake flavored with coffee! Perfect! We got to eat it at every break!!! And candy! And colored pencils to draw with after she's gone and I do more of my artwork.


Now this is Aug 4th and I have 3 hats on my head to stay warm. Summer has a whole different definition up here:). Then when the sun comes out, I'm stripping everything off!

We are cycling the Coastal Route which hosted the Giro, an Italian cycling race similar to the Tour de France and pink bicycles are everywhere along the route.

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Last night as we left Dunluce Castle pondering with locals about where to camp, an Irish elderly gentleman said, "We have this saying up here: 'Just keep it between the hedges!' ". And I knew then the title of my next blog!!!

There's been a lot of fascination about our bikes and our tour. Exhaustingly so. It's nice having April here to buffer them and handle her share. Too much of a good thing, I'm afraid. I like to share but telling the same story again and again and again does get old. We're starting to keep it simple. Sometimes we just say we biked from Madrid with no further explanation. Sometimes I just say we're biking around the world without explaining that April's going home. And sometimes they even get to sit:)




Ya know how I've struggled with ticks and midgies (no-see-ums or sand flies) in Scotland? Here in Ireland it's yellow jackets. Aggressive ones that keep harassing me even as I'm walking away trying to eat my breakfast. Argh!

Livin' the life,

BagLady