Bunny and the Bandit

So sad to be leaving The Apple Farm

With Patsy Kelly in Sean Kelly Square

At last a nice hotel, The Hibernian in Mallow, with fresh cotton sheets and soap to slip on in the shower. Makes a change from what I was slipping on in the shower this morning. Add to this, the fact that we cycled today's section of the D2D without getting wet -other than a bit sweaty and hence Adrian who retained the bracelet jaune yesterday extends his guardianship of the revered prize since he has a chapped bottom to boot today. One more puncture today to go with the one we had yesterday keeps the Ps to 2 which is good going given that we have cycled over 200 miles so far.

I must pay respect to the support crew who have entered into the spirit 100% as demonstrated in the top photo above. Bunny has provided carbohydrates and first aid when required and the soigneur is not reluctant when it comes to placing hands on. Without the chaps we would have struggled to complete this trial. There's more to it than simply getting on the bike everyday. We need to put petrol in the rider and fill him up with love.

Other interesting and exciting news is the fundraising total. We are absolutely delighted with the level of generosity from all of you out there in cyberland. We have still to add the bucket content but we are hopeful of reaching the £4000 target which is outstanding. The Hospice will be very happy.

When the wind blows tomorrow we know we are doing this for a reason and frankly my dears we don't give a damn because tomorrow is another day. Bring it on.

LLL

Readying to leave Clonmel, destination Mallow and the warmth of a hotel. Sleeping proved difficult last night with a punctured air bed and persistent rain so Clonmel champagne had to be consumed to ensure at least a couple of hours shut eye.

Again problems are being experienced with the uploading of images but hoped to rectify this with something for your viewing pleasure later (if it passes the censor). And so, another day begins with a hearty breakfast and a long journey ahead. Our first stop is Ronnie Reagan's in Ballyporeen. I hope he isn't in.

LLL

We made it to Clonmel and The Apple Farm where owner Con Traas has given us free camping for the night. Today's jaunt was just around 50 miles and a lot less challenging than yesterday. I have a feeling that we might partake of the very locally brewed tipple after a warm shower and rub down from le soigneur - he is taking his role very seriously.

I should give a big mention to Patsy Kelly from Carrick on Suir tourist office. The gentleman met us at Marty's Pantry and provided a substantial meal for us all and the good people of Carrick were very generous in contributing to our collection bucket, mostly in silence if you get my drift. Betty and Brian from the Laurels B&B in Kilkenny not only gave us a big discount for last night's bed but also contributed a large note to our collection as we left this morning.

More to follow when the bracelet jaune is presented.

LLL

The Cutting Edge Cycling Team in various guises on the D2D

At the start of day one we paid a visit to our sponsor "Cutting Edge" on the Ormeau Road for a publicity photo with the Barber of Belfast, Frankie Campbell. Henry Armstrong, finalist in the "Sprit of Ireland " awards was on hand to see the team off before heading off to a panicking wife waiting to take dad to his son's graduation. Hope all went well Henry!

We realised at this point that we were not going to make an early start, courtesy of Jonty who had some last minute poncing to attend to. So at 5pm we eventually left Sandymount Dublin with our back wheels in the Irish Sea.

Day 2 was always going to be a toughie and that's how it turned out. The terrain through the Wicklow Hills (which from here on will be referred to as mountains) was steep enough to challenge Alberto Contador even after a particularly tasty steak, so it proved to be a big challenge to us mere mortals. Add to that the dreadful wet and windy conditions and you will understand why we made 2 refuelling stops in Hacketstown and The Tara Arms, Tullow before finishing the day in Kilkenny. Fortunately we have found the innkeepers to be more than obliging (well all except Johnnie Fox's) and Kevin from Lenehan's in Kilkenny was more than a match for most(see photo). He provided sustenance to the team and we returned the favour by clearing the pub with a set of sea shanties and folk songs from Orangefield and and even as far flung as Limavady.

Adrian took centre stage with a rendition of The Fighting Cocks of Antrim and was duly awarded the "bracelet jaune" for inducing a sweat in the crew not to mention himself as he climbed Slieve Maan from Glenmalure.

After lunch in the Tara Arms, the weather did not improve and we made Kilkenny by 5.30pm ready for a long hot shower. Well rested, we are now ready to tackle day 3 to Clonmel via Carrick on Suir home of Sean Kelly who has sent us a message of support from France where he had to be be for the TdF. Otherwise we would have had a bit of company today. The forecast for today is dry which is a bonus and we have the carrot of the Clonmel champagne to look forward to.

Thanks for your continued support as demonstrated by the constantly rising total at www.justgiving.com/dublin2dingle.

It is time to apply the vaseline.

Slan.

LLL

Roundwood is the highest village in Ireland and Johnnie Fox's is the highest pub. They are separated by a valley an d approximately 10 Miles as the crow flies. After a late start it was probably not the best idea we've ever had to visit the pub en route to tonight's camp at Roundwood, but hey we're doing this for the challenge and to see how far we can push Jonty before he swears out loud at the route planner. Around 2000 feet of climbing proved difficult for the big lad but he took his time and made it without breaking sweat, more than can be said for Stuart "Stewpot" Dellow who snored all the way to Dublin in the bus and then sweated like a wee lad in a sweetie shop with his granny, going up the hills and farted for Ireland on the descents. Consequently his extra boost on the downhills kept him in touch with team leader Big Al but all was in vain as there were more uphills than downhills. So le bracelet jaune goes to Stuey today. He has lost at least 2 stone but is doing his best to put it back on with some carbohydrate loading as we speak - yum yum lovely cider. Apologies for a lack of images today. I hope to remedy this tomorrow with some shower photos of Andy "le chef du voiture" Hamill to keep the Office Belles in Laurelhill happy. Hope you have the static bike set up and are following us virtually Michelle. Keep feeding her jelly babies Joanne and let Lindsay check for my post! Missing you all already. Time for that carbohydrate loading methinks!!! LLL

Le bracelet jaune

Unlike le TdF, le D2D is not a race but it is going to  be a real big sweat. Hence the sweatiest rider each day will be awarded le bracelet jaune. Look out for the cyclist wearing the luminous yellow wristband and avoid them at all costs since they will be smelly, or should that be smellier than usual or even smelliest in the team.

So, this being the last post before we set off it seems pertinent to thank everyone who has helped out so far. Thanks everyone! A quick look at www.justgiving.com/dublin2dingle and you will see that our running total is over £2500 which is absolutely fantastic. The Children's Hospice are very impressed with our/your effort and we know that we haven't finished yet.

Let the spin begin!

LLL

Tony Blair had Alastair Campbell but we have Lorraine English! What am I talking about? Well Mr Campbell thought he was a spin doctor before he got into jogging but in Lorraine we have the Spin Doctor's Doctor. Today we got to one final spin class with Lorraine before setting off on Monday. Lorraine has grabbed the fundraising bull by the horns and got firmly behind us and the cause (metaphorically speaking of course because she leads from the front!). It would be unlikely that anyone who attends Lorraine's classes doesn't know what's happening next week so, on behalf of the Hospice, a big thank you must go out to Lorraine. We all enjoy the classes and there is no doubting the dedication to enjoyment as demonstrated in the short video above. If you listen closely, you will hear Lorraine making the first tentative inquiries into when we will celebrate the achievement with a night out.

On yer bike Jim, says Lorraine

It's time to start ticking off the items on the checklist or if your name's Adrian, phone Jimi and ask him to do it for you. Bike, check, tent, check, sleeping bag, check, oh to hell with this where's Jimi? Oh aye, he's gone to Decathlon to get me a bike, tent and sleeping bag. Do we not have a soigneur for that?

LLL