Well we made it to Ireland in one piece and my bike’s still in working order.

We’ve had some fun and games though.  We arrived at the airport, found the check in and wrapped our bikes up and then found they were supposed to go somewhere else.  A bike is pretty easy get about on it’s own too wheels but have wrapped it up it becomes a very awkward piece of luggae.

Next I found I found my toiletries are supposed to be in a small clear bag.  Amazing I haven’t travelled by plane for two and half years and missed all these fun and games.  Not much a problem apart from my King of Shaves Gel.  Trust my luck to have something bigger than 100ml.

Off went my sister to find me a bottle from Boots.  It’s amazing how much empty bottles at airports cost.  Then we found that King Of Shaves Gel doesn’t exactly flow.  So we are there standing in the queue trying to squeeze it out into an empty bottle.  Normally I have the pleasure of doing it over the course of half a year rather than in the space of 5 minutes but we got most of it.  Have to say being three hours early at the airport is cutting things a little fine nowadays.The flight was my first on Ryan Air and I’ll have to say I was quite impressed.  Nice seats, leg room reasonable and pretty clouds.

Cork airport is a world away from Gatwick.  Newer, airey and fair more pleasent.  It wasn’t long before we had our bikes and were putting them together.   Unfortunately I lost the innard’s to my new bell, a freebie for the London Freecycle.  A shame really as it was quite nice and I wasn’t going to make the Freecycle tomorrow on account of being in Ireland.Well out of the airport and my first breath of outside Irish Air.   Nice and open space, not unexpected for an airport.  My sister had picked us a route to Cork through Grange as it was supposed to be more pleasent than taking the N27.

With the night closing it we stumbled through the outskirts of Cork asking for directions.  It was amazing the number of people who didn’t know the way.  In the end we made it though having wandered through the centre of Cork to the International Youth Hostel where we were staying the night.  A quick drop off our bags and we headed off to find some food, choosing Super Mac’s before coming back and getting an early night for the start of our proper cycle tomorrow.