Doire, Dún na nGall and donkeys (hopefully).

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Back to the B&B to pack myself a small rucksack and pop the empty panniers onto the GSA before heading off to tick off something else that's been on my 'To do' list for some time.
On the side of the road I saw a sign for this



I'm a suckered for this type of thing so pulled over and dunked my bare feet. I have an frail, elderly friend who's been very poorly so took the opportunity while I was standing in the pool to ask for Divine help in his battle. I got the excellent news yesterday that he's been given the all clear so explain that you doubters.

Magic waters......



The well is just outside the village of Belcoo which is right on the border. A good friend of mine who was stationed in The 6 Counties during the 80s had told me of an incident that had happened here to him and his colleagues. They were on a foot patrol just outside the school when a bomb was detonated from the hill across the border. My mate graphically described that he was just aware of a blinding light, a deafening noise and his best mate's head rolling over his feet before he blacked out. His next memory was of utter pandemonium and being stretchered into a helicopter and whisked away.
This is where it happened. Zero points for signage erction though.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Having spent a few minutes here it was time to head for the tick the item off the bucket list, The Stairway to Heaven.

Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail (Stairway To Heaven)

The Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail (Stairway to heaven) is located 12 miles from the Island town of Enniskillen in Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland and located on the doorstep of the Marble Arch Caves.

marblearchcaves.co.uk

I parked up at the official car park where I should have been charged but I think the old boy on the gate took pity on me as it was absolutely scorching, I was dressed in full bike clothing and he knew what I was about to do, 'Just park it over there in the shade, you'll need that.' was the sage and very welcome advice.



It's times like this, when I'm of the bike and wandering, that I appreciate the luggage capacity of the bike as I can get jacket, trousers, boots and helmet all tucked safely away.
And off I set. I was surprised at quite how far the walk was, maybe it was the heat but it took longer to get to the top than I'd expected. The 1st part is chalk path, then boardwalk before you get to the stairway itself. The pictures don't really do it justice but as you're making your way up the boardwalk and steps stretch out in front of you. Unfortunately, though stiflingly hot it was quite hazy and though the views from the top were something to see I would imagine on a clear day they would be positively spectacular. On the way down I passed people who were wearing just shirts and flip-flops, goodness knows what they thought they were going to.



The dark mark across my chest is sweat from my man bag that I'd taken my water in. You'll notice I a have sweatshirt as I thought it might be chilly at the top - wrong.
(It's only when I look at photos like this that I realise actually I don't look like George Clooney more like, as an elderly friend once said, Lofty from It ain't half hot mum.




This lass was happy to keep her black jumper on, despite the heat.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

After my exercise I really fancied a beef/chicken pie so dropped into Enniskillen looking for a pub that did proper food. I called in at a likely looking place but they were a drinking establishment only so pointed me to the place next door where I was served this hideous plate of slop. 4 times the price of anything else I'd had to eat on this trip and it was thoroughly unpleasant. Suitably disgruntled and nearly £40 lighter I went back to the bike which was parked directly in front of exactly the sort of place I was looking for, serving exactly the sort of food I'd fancied. I am such a clown.



Back to the digs via another quick chat with my Pop and into Pettigo for pudding.



I was looking for a specific book* in Pettigo, none available. The shopkeeper rang around the village to see if anyone had a copy they didn't want, sadly not.
I didn't leave empty handed though picking this up - another trip to add to the To Do list.



One last sunset and a final photo of he bike (sorry Wapping) in the place that I feel most at home.

Up and away the next morning and back to Pookey Hollow via Belfast, Cairnryan and Hexham to have a quick chat with my mum.




* This is the book, sadly only available on Amazon so I'm going to have to do without it.

Amazon.co.uk

 

[Jockser]

Don't Know how I missed the start of this.

Me neither

Interesting to read the perspective of fresh eyes on areas you know we

Absolutely

Bill, that road that features in the rally video is Atlantic Drive. If you’ve never done it before you’ll need to add it to your list

Thanks for taking to time to do the RR. Great reading on a cold January night

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Thanks guys, I'll definitely check it out next time I'm over.

 

[gspod]

Nice RR, thanks for posting.
The little extra weight suits you.

 

[Aidan1150]

Great read thanks CCC.

I'm glad that you enjoyed the spin through the Glenelly Valley to Plumbridge.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Great read thanks CCC.

I'm glad that you enjoyed the spin through the Glenelly Valley to Plumbridge.

I did, TY again.

 

[frosti]

The 1st day in Fear Manach was, as is traditional, spent with relatives and mooching round my old man's stomping ground. I'm pretty sure we found his 1st school though so that was a bonus.
I popped in at the farm near my dad's old house to check in on Glen, the sheepdog who'd been savaged by a ram a couple of years ago. He wasn't there but I'm advised he's still with us and still working hard. As is the way on these parts even though the door I'd knocked on was (by chance) the house where Glens's owners parents live and they'd never seen me before a quick mention of my surname and they knew all about my dad and his family and I was invited in for a brew and 'something to eat'. As they were clearly halfway through their tea I politely declined and left them to it.
I called in at Enniskillen to grab some tea of my own and took the scenic route (are there any others around here?) back to Garrison.

View attachment 299908

Myself and Jimmy Ellis has a friendly encounter with 2 PSNI Officers on this stretch of road - as Jimmy was trying to stage a photo of me getting airborne over one of the crests on it .
They were more interested in what we were driving than any possible speeding we were up to.

Great biking roads and countryside in general.

Thanks for the detailed report.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Not exactly in your back yard though.

 

[frosti]

Not exactly in your back yard though.

We rambled around a bit