Day 9 Bantry to Skibereen 97km

Had a good sleep and looking forward to breakfast . Porridge made the 'Rob way' and fresh farm eggs from Robs chickens. I am with Oisin, the lad who is responsible for all the video of this event on utube and other media. and Kim one of our very intrepid photographers. Your liable to see Kim lying on the middle of the road as you come round a corner, trying to get 'the shot'!
At breakfast I happened to make a comment about how simple breakfast dish Porridge is! And before we knew it we were, all 6 of us extolling the variety and versatility of porridge as a cereal. One milk,2 water ,all milk, all water , salt, sugar, berries, eaten on its own or with milk, cream, yoghurt. Steeped overnight, cooked overnight, big oats, small oats, over gas or microwave. Gotta get out more!!!

Looks to be another dull morning :-(

Delicious.breakfast After lovely food and chat around the table we got ourselves ready to head down to the start in Bantry, just as the skies opened and a burst of torrential rain happened. Stair rods!
Can't stop now. This must be done
The start line was quiet cause we were there too early. Kim and Oisin had to be down early to make their preparations for the day ahead. Gave me lots of time to get organised and chat with the guys.
Heading out from Bantry looked ominous in the sky and sure enough before long we hit a torrential shower of hailstones that would cut the face of you. There is no stopping this pelaton so we have to battle into it. Its blinding! Thankfully it didnt last too long and we continued like this all the way to Mizen Head.
As we moved closed to Mizen i could see the sky was clearing out to sea. Hopefully we would head in to meet it and it moved inland. The sky was clearing, the spirits were lifting and as we stopped momentarily in Goleen to gather, all looked good.
I had never been to Mizen head and was expecting a rocky outcrop delineating the southernmost tip of Ireland. Bu definitely no!
By the time we got there, through some amazing scenery, the sun was out and our spirits were lifting.
What beautiful scenery it was to the head. Truly glad we went up there. A most wonderful place with a great cove beach , hills all around. If you want tranquility, look no farther. Stretching out into the wild atlantic, next stop Cuba and Jamaica I would say.
Unfortunately we were not given the opportunity to stop, cause the numbers would be too hard to manage and people would not want to leave. So a quick turn around in the car park and back to Goleen. It always amazes me that the same road, going in the opposite direction gives a completely varied and different vista. And so it was here.
Returning from there and rolling on to Schull in positively summer sunshine, we picked up a tailwind that blew us all the way to Schull were we had a lovely lunch at the yacht club.
Jumping the short leg into Skibereen was good. Easy cycling and time to chat.
My homestay in Skibereen was Mary and Aidan who work a farm and opened their house to me.
After a beautiful chicken dinner we retire to the room over a few beers and watch tv and chat

Skibereen to Cork tomorrow