Thunder
Registered user
As Ms Cheek's was heading over to London for a few days R&R I was at a loose end over the Easter so decided to head off bright and early to cover the points on the Ulster Phot Rally 2009, 9 locations over 9 counties and at around 400 miles do able in a day so I could get back for the dog.
Shortly after 6am I arrived at my chosen starting point Whiterock near Killinchy in Co Down and the decommissioned Ballydorn light ship which is moored there.
Fantastic start to the day and nothing like the weather forecast which had rain on the menu for the day, unfortunately as I headed to the next destination at Knocklaghrim in Co Londonderry I could see the clouds were gathering.
Turned out it was a disused windmill which at some point had been converted to a house with an onion dome roof topped with a weather vane.
No rain yet but getting colder as I headed to The Hedges near Armoy Co Antrim, pretty spectacular group of trees.
Next stop Greencastle Co Donegal, on route to the ferry I called into a nearby Mc Donald's for a healthy sausage egg Mcmuffin.
The ferry achieved a respectable turn of speed
The Inishowen Maritime Museum was the photo point, unfortunately it was closed so I didn't get the chance to route around the exhibits.
As I left on the long leg to Lough Macnean Upper in Co Cavan it started to rain, by the time I made it to the Lough things were getting pretty moist in the clothing department but thanks to the wonder of goretex I was staying dry if not warm.
Cavan sorted it was off to Fermanagh and Belleek pottery, as I rode through Kesh in heavy rain I was kicking myself for not knowing about the rally the previous weekend
The same thought struck me as I headed for Dromore in Co Tyrone
Thankfully as I headed East towards Co Monaghan and Glaslough the rain stopped and things started to get enjoyable again.
The disused petrol pumps were located beside a busy bar and despite the temptation to nip in for a swift half I headed off to the final photo point another place I'd never been before in Co Armagh, the eel fisherman sculpture near Lough Neagh in Derrytrasna.
Really liked this piece, out in the middle of nowhere made from reclaimed stainless steel too the opportunity to relax for 10 minutes in what was nearly sunshine. By the look of it he was a fellow tosser.
Was a pleasant way to end the day before the relatively short leg home, it's given me the taste for photo rallies, next one the all Ireland I think but don't intend doing that in a single day.
Shortly after 6am I arrived at my chosen starting point Whiterock near Killinchy in Co Down and the decommissioned Ballydorn light ship which is moored there.
Fantastic start to the day and nothing like the weather forecast which had rain on the menu for the day, unfortunately as I headed to the next destination at Knocklaghrim in Co Londonderry I could see the clouds were gathering.
Turned out it was a disused windmill which at some point had been converted to a house with an onion dome roof topped with a weather vane.
No rain yet but getting colder as I headed to The Hedges near Armoy Co Antrim, pretty spectacular group of trees.
Next stop Greencastle Co Donegal, on route to the ferry I called into a nearby Mc Donald's for a healthy sausage egg Mcmuffin.
The ferry achieved a respectable turn of speed
The Inishowen Maritime Museum was the photo point, unfortunately it was closed so I didn't get the chance to route around the exhibits.
As I left on the long leg to Lough Macnean Upper in Co Cavan it started to rain, by the time I made it to the Lough things were getting pretty moist in the clothing department but thanks to the wonder of goretex I was staying dry if not warm.
Cavan sorted it was off to Fermanagh and Belleek pottery, as I rode through Kesh in heavy rain I was kicking myself for not knowing about the rally the previous weekend
The same thought struck me as I headed for Dromore in Co Tyrone
Thankfully as I headed East towards Co Monaghan and Glaslough the rain stopped and things started to get enjoyable again.
The disused petrol pumps were located beside a busy bar and despite the temptation to nip in for a swift half I headed off to the final photo point another place I'd never been before in Co Armagh, the eel fisherman sculpture near Lough Neagh in Derrytrasna.
Really liked this piece, out in the middle of nowhere made from reclaimed stainless steel too the opportunity to relax for 10 minutes in what was nearly sunshine. By the look of it he was a fellow tosser.
Was a pleasant way to end the day before the relatively short leg home, it's given me the taste for photo rallies, next one the all Ireland I think but don't intend doing that in a single day.
........must get over there some time for a ride, never been.
