Operation Emerald Escape

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So having managed one good trip this year, dodging around various Covid calamaties and ending up getting as far as Romnania, (but always remaining legal), I decided to try and cram another trip in before the next lockdown.

Where to go..............

Europe again.............nope, its kind of shut.

UK Coastal tour.............possibly, mmmm but done that.

NI and Eire..............sounds good, and as a bonus I've hardly travelled in Eire at all so it will be largely new...............

Only bad point, its late October so its going to be be wet, windy, and a bit unpleasant at times, Ill take that.

Planning commences...........
 
Hurdle 1, where to coast in.

After doing more research than normal, something called the Common transit area is open so travel between NI and Eire is OK.

Travel within UK is OK,

Therefore travel between England, NI, and Eire is OK.

Travel between England, or Wales and Eire is OK ish but confusing advice on entry requirements from various government sites............

Right, Ill take the sting out of it and go Liverpool - Belfast than honk over the border. All legal and easily doable.

I don't really want to arrive in Dublin and have any hassle, despite it seemingly being OK.

Bike wise, I'm going with the RT for weather protection and heated seats :)

Ferry booked, I'll worry about the return at a later date............
 
So having managed one good trip this year, dodging around various Covid calamaties and ending up getting as far as Romnania, (but always remaining legal), I decided to try and cram another trip in before the next lockdown.

Where to go..............

Europe again.............nope, its lkind of shut.

UK Coastal tour.............possibly,mmmm but done that.

NI and Eire..............sounds good, and as a bonus I've hardly travelled in Eire at all so it will be largely new...............

Only bad point, its late October so its going to be be wet, windy, and a bit unpleasant at times, Ill take that.

Planning commences...........

My mate told me yesterday that he's only allowed a 3 mile radius from his home - Belmullet. Worth checking.


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Day 1

Home to Liverpool - Belfast - Dublin

Wake up to honking rain and set off at 0700.

As I get to Saddleworth, the skies clear and it suddenly gets bone dry, surely my luck cant hold again for another trip...............

Arrive in Liverpool in good time, have booked lounge access, this turns out to be a good decision.

For 12 quid you get a nice lounge, and I recon on an 8 Hr crossing thats good value.

I make sure that I devour at least 12 quids worth of coffee and nibbles, and pikey a bit away for lunch tomorrow in Dublin.

Exiting in Belfast is easy and I'm soon honking past Newry on the way to a nice hotel just NW of Dublin.

The weather is dry and about 13 deg so a bit of a result.

The hotel is great, secure underground parking and lovely room.

Best oif all its a freebie from the company, kerching.

Late ish arrival so bed and look forward to........errrr a day off the bike tomorrow for a city break..........blimey I'm slowing down.

I've only been to Dublin once, sleep and catch ferry so I'm looking forward to seeing it.
 
We are in to the second week of a 6 week national lockdown. During the last lockdown visitors from mostly Northern Ireland were allowed to travel freely because technically they didn’t have a home in the Republic so they couldn’t be in breech of the 2 km. law. However you will find many hotels and guest houses closed. Restaurants are closed except for a few that are doing takeout. Apart from any welcome you might receive the weather at the moment is truly unwelcoming. Honestly I wouldn’t. JJH
 
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Tracy enjoys a glass of wine in the lounge.


I made sure she had at least 12 quids worth.


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Day 2

City Break Dublin

Looking forward to this, first an outside coffee, then .....

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Weather stays on side and a good bimble around this beautiful city, desperately trying to avoid any Oiiirish Bars as I hate them with a passion abroad.

Mainly spent walking to the churches and sights, we walked a lot ......

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And splashed out on a selfie stick......

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... which I failed miserably at....


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A fab day out, bit early to have a day off in a trip but hey, it worked.

Retired to hotel for obligatory drink......

And I don’t drink at all so was a bit weird for me ......

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So to bed, plan tomorrow is to get to Waterford via the hills S of Dublin and the coast.

Hope weather holds ..........


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Good to see an S92 Report again...
always to be enjoyed :thumb2

Could be the best read we get for a month or so! :eek:
 
Thanks, I’ll get the European 25 day one done at some point.

Now that was an amazing trip ......


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Good to see you back 'out & about' mate. Hope the health is good :thumb

Always interesting to see our little island from an 'outsiders' perspective
Carry on :rob
 
Good to see you back 'out & about' mate. Hope the health is good :thumb

Always interesting to see our little island from an 'outsiders' perspective
Carry on :rob

I doubt after covid we will take it for granted as much as we do!! :beerjug:
 
Thanks all.

Yes on the health front I had my regular poke about just before this trip and the results were all good.

So in Dec that'll be 2 years clear, stubborn bastard that I am.

How time flies eh......

Anyway on with the trip..............
 
Day 3

Wake up to............

Dry and Sunny, result.

Head off to look at the Uni in Maynooth where I used to stay. Lovely place.

Then SE through Kill and the Lakes and Hills to coast out at Arklow.

Fantastic roads and great scenery, v much like the Scottish Highlands.

A bit of mist at the highest points but heated grips and seats made it a breeze :)
 


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