Messie and The Apes' Grand Tour of Ireland

[Messie]

It's taken me a while to recover from the mamouth trip from Holyhead to Colchester but here are some piccies taken on the Grand Tour of Ireland.

First real day of biking was from Dublin to Cork via Kilkenny. We didn't really get lost
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But there were some great views
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Eventually in Cork, after many miles and U turns (grrrr!) we found a welcoming watering hole - don't worry, we'd parked up for the night first!
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Don't ask - something about the wrong trousers

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Next day, off to Killarney. He he, and in Irish too!
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I think the Apes were a little tired when we reached the ferry next day to take us across the Shannon

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On the other side we wanted to take the coast road to our next stop, Galway. I didn't realise the trip was going to include off roading. The road started out normal then got smaller and smaller until it was all grass and ended at a stoney shore. Another ****ing U turn and on gravel!

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The Burren is a stunning place. Great scenery and would be great roads if only the surface was a bit smoother. Mrs Ape was very concerned about her lady bits by the end of the day

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Smile for the camera, just to prove you really were there

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Next day we had a fairly boring ride across the middle of ireland to get back to Dublin. Jo said she was too tired so Ape and me took the chance to dump the luggage and go for a blast. We headed for the Wicklow mountains and found some of the most amazing roads ever. Going up was a bit hairy as the road surfaces were again poor but the 16 mile smooth, bendy and wide road down was a dream. Only got a pic of the start cos I didn't want to stop halfway.
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Found this place too. Now why would anyone want to shoot at Sally Gap?


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With that macho walk and proper motorcycle jacket, it's clear that his days of wheelie stunts are over! What a Guy :wink:
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We had a great time!

[Messie]

Ooops. Forgot the last picture

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[kwak zzr]

hey great pic's! you look like you all had a great time! :thumbsup:

[Anonymous]

great pics. looks like the weather was ok too. glad you all had fun. hope lady bits have recovered jo. so many rude things i can say here, but i will refrain, its sunday afterall :lol:

[anna]

looks like you lot had fun!!

great pics :thumbsup:

[Tara]

Great pics - looks like you had a great time

[falc]

Very nice pics, glad you guys had a good time :D

[the white rabbit]

Great pics. Looks lovely, must go sometime.

:thumbsup:

[Cronos]

Excellent pics.

Brings back memories of my trip to Ireland last year. Can't wait to get back.

[Quiff Wichard]

did you all share the same bed??

[Messie]

[-X

Bad thoughts! tell them to go away.

[CoolGirl]

Looks like you all had a fab time - I think we were in county Cork at the same time as you! :roll:

Agree that the scenery is breathtaking and the roads are good fun!

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[philipMac]

Very good guys.
Its funny to see them posted up here almost, I know precisely where about 6 of those photos were taken from. I rode past a fair few of those spots 5 days a week.
At the same time it almost feels like the places dont exist any more almost, cuase Ive been away from them for so long now.

Nice to know that they are still there :lol:

That Sally gap sign didnt "weather" too well though. Thats only fairly new I think. (By new I mean 10 years.) The old iron one was nicer. :roll:

PS what is all this secret wheeling talk about? Did someone chuck a bike down the road by any chance?

[Stig]

And my contribution, quality not at good as Messies cause I had a borrowed camera and Messie had a nice flash new one. :lol:


Holyhead ferry terminal. Ooohhh so excited.
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Mrs Ape's idea of helping load the bike 1st morning in Ireland. :roll:
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This is about as close to a Little Chef as you get in Ireland. Very nice indeed.
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Messie taking charge. "Were going THIS way, what do you think?"
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This was the first day enroute in Ireland, the smile got smaller as the days went by. Bless :lol:
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I'm sure Messie was trying to tell me something in this photo, but can't seem to work out what it was. :?
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Look really closely, she's really there.
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Wayhay, Messie's pulled. :lol:
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Caption competition :?:
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It's true you know, it really does taste better in Ireland, but I had to make sure that it tasted better all over Ireland. :lol:
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Caption competition number 2 :?: :lol:
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[Stig]

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Have to say it was very strange being so close to Sally Gap. :shock:

[Stig]

The photo of me and my over sized trousers is not exactly flattering. :oops:

[BigDog]

Nice to see you have got the pics up Messie, but why the delay?

[Quiff Wichard]

looks ace!

I want a biker holiday I want one.. I want one now !




all my captions for the pics with messie in are waaayy too rude.!!




and Si.. it was worth the dosh now for all Jo's new gear- don't she still look a cool biker chic chick !!

[MitchC]

Hey,

What is Sally Gap? That picture intrigued me... Looks eerie...

Mitch

[philipMac]

Hey,

What is Sally Gap? That picture intrigued me... Looks eerie...

Mitch

Its a cross roads, up in the Wicklow mountains. Its pretty scenic up there, they have used it in films a bit. If you are coming from Enniskerry there is a nice long drag all the way out, through Glenmalure right out to Sally Gap. You can keep on to Glendalough, or turn to pass Lough Taigh and Lough Brae.

You are out in the bogs too up there. All very pretty.

It is eerie when the fog banks are in, you are up there by yourself, and you havnt seen a car for the last 10 miles. All you can hear is yourself panting 8)

[Stig]

and Si.. it was worth the dosh now for all Jo's new gear- don't she still look a cool biker chic chick !!

She does, and seeing as she paid for the majority of it, I'm not too bothered. She has now got the bug though. Always looking out for "bigger" and "better".