Day 9 Narin to Malin Head via Ferry (77 miles, 1250m)


We headed out along the Gweebarra river before  cycling in the remote and stunning Glen Veagh National Park. After lunch in Milford we caught the Lough Swilly ferry from Rathmullan before the final stint to the village of Malin and the our final destination, Malin Head!

Breakfast with fine views.
Cycling out fo Narin
Not your typical garden gnome.

Heading into Glen Veagh National Park


Spot the brew van above.
Very remote and hardly any other people.
Tarn at top of pass.
Several varieties of heather, though less than some English moors.
"Demob happy"
Forever cheerful!
The 'wheelbarrow' made it up some of the steepest inclines.
Father and son (Matthew and Simon)


Loads of water on the hillside...

...but a dry day and sunny later on. In stark contrast to Mizen Head!
Lots of portraits in this blog!

Fast descent.

Sun peaking through in places...


...with rainbow effect.

Back inland, making our way over steep, rude ascents...
...and then out the estuary for the ferry and an ice-cream.

Waiting for the Lough Swilly ferry from Rathmullan.

Iconic (and somewhat clichéd) line of bikes. Always worth a photo though!

Always odd see my surname everywhere.
Most beaches were free from the crowds.
Moody skies soon gave way to open sunshine.
A line of wind turbines on the horizon...
The ferry times were 20 minutes later, so time to chat and enjoy the views.

Fairly windy crossing.
Thoughtful as he meditates on the meaning of things.
Important to get the layering right.
Dramatic approach
My village namesake!
Fabulous views over the bridge as we arrive in Malin.


Many of us have cycled together for the last 4 years.
And the last 10 miles to Malin Head










We snake up to our final destination.

Arriving at Malin Head!




Malin Head

 Rain, it tests the best of us,

It soggifies and drips and drops and makes you stop, and start, and stop,

It gets in cracks and rolls down backs and hangs suspended off frozen noses and crinkles up your duck-webbed toesies,

You wish it gone and dream of fun in the sun, this holiday lark has been bloody hard won!

But that wet, natural blanket, our near constant companion, hides a surprising, uplifting tale to tell,

When I watched all the faces, there were smiles breaking out, there was joking and laughter and lots of "ah wells",

You may have missed scenery, dry socks and heat,

But you felt more alive and that's quite hard to beat!
Lee's last night celebratory poem

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