Just a quick note as I head out the door to sunnier climes - the Justgiving.com/dublin2dingle page has just summited the £4000 peak.

Well done again all you donors out there in cyberworld.

THANK YOU

LLL

Jonty on his return from the Gates of Hell

This is just a quick update to inform you all that the "Big Lad" made it back home today and is looking forward to the reunion in The Lake Hotel, Killarney since he missed the union the first time round. As you can see, he appears to be in fine fettle, but he will be attending the hospital for some time before he is back to normal. Sure, the Big Man was never normal, I hear you say, but then, who in our company is?

He was quite adamant, however, about never sharing a tent with Stuart again saying that he would prefer to room with Andy, Gary, Jim, Adrian, Al, Noel or even Pauline all at once or individually. Apparently sleeping with Stuey is a "near death experience" that is not on the agenda in the immediate future. He also expressed huge gratitude to the staff at Tralee Hospital especially the foxy nurse who applied the gel before his first ultrasound scan...........

Finally, anyone who has not donated or feels compelled to help us reach that £4000 target, we are getting close. Check out www.justgiving.com/dublin2dingle and encourage your friends to do so.

And they all lived happily ever after.

LLL

WE DID IT!

Here are a few photos that have yet to be published here.........................

The Pecker and Ronne Drew

The Best Pub in Ireland

That's an Italian flag isn't it?

The road to Kerry (between showers)





Big Al stands next to the Sean Kelly shrine in Carrick on Suir - the King of Cycling



Stuey and Big Al chill after a good soaking coming over Glenmalure







The Blues Bros en route to KIllarney

Regular readers, friends and supporters will know that we finished the cycle on Saturday, and yes, we did have bums like baboons, but we were well satisfied that we had completed the trip. A celebratory libation in John Benny's before heading back to the campsite was just the ticket.

Now, you will also know that Sunday was the ascent of Carrauntoohil which we had intended to scale via the Devil's Ladder. However, we had to shelve this plan as a result of an unforeseen casualty of the the challenge, and here I am again back in serious mode. Big Jonty, the man who would eat the head of a scaby wee'un was admitted to Kerry Hospital in Tralee in the early hours of Sunday morning and he is still there today, Tuesday. He will not be released until his condition shows some signs of improvement.

In the middle of Saturday night/Sunday morning it would appear that Jonty suffered from a pulmonary embolism which to you and me is a blood clot on the lungs. In Jonty's case they have identified two clots (one on each lung) and, in reality, the situation could have been a lot (lot) worse had it not been for the fact that he was sharing a room and his pain was taken seriously by a room mate who contacted the emergency services. In Dingle, that means getting yourself to hospital, but getting a local doctor to phone ahead and let them know you are coming. Fortunately, he got there on time to avoid any further complications and is now making some sort of a recovery.

It was an awful end to the week for the big lad, but he is in great spirits and is enjoying the company of several Father Jacks in his ward in Tralee. I know that you will all be thinking about Jonty and hope that he makes it home soon. The whole episode has given us another chance to re-evaluate what is really important in life. Carrauntoohil can wait for another day.

Get well soon Big Jonty, and we forgot to tell you that you won the bracelet jaune on Sunday for making the rest of us sweat like criminals.

I will post a final tour diary when the Big Lad gets home.

LLL



Eileen, the proprietor of the South Pole Inn in Annascaul

Front Wheels in Dingle Bay

And Thank you for watching!!

Today was the last cycling day and in keeping with the rest of the week it started off wet. Jonty, the bollix (sic) faffed around for so long that he managed to get himself lost before we left Killarney. Consequently Big Al was less than impressed since we had to wait in Milltown for the rambling man. Adrian thought that Jonty had caught up when a hearse went slowly by but no such luck. He eventually put in an appearance before we sauntered on down to Castlemaine.

About 20 miles later we got to Annascaul where the South Pole Inn, famously owned by the legend that was Tom Crean, provided us with lunch. This is one place that has been on my bucket list for a year or two and I suggest that you visit too. Eileen the owner was most hospitable and is a wealth of knowledge on the subject of Tom Crean. A very pleasant stop. Thank you Eileen, I will be back.

Back on the bikes for the last stretch into Dingle and one more hill. Team leader for the last section, Jimi, mowed down two dogs and one hedgehog to add to the road kill which was ubiquitous. Arriving in town to the strains of Into the Valley by the Skids prompted Jonty to decorate his new cycling shorts with his own personal version. There is a video of this that I promise to share next week when I will post a tour diary.

Thank you for keeping a watchful eye on our progress. It is true that the cycling is complete but there will be more to report tomorrow when we tackle Carrauntoohil. I should also mention the fundraising total which is at £3276. Outstanding!!

I am typing this up from the kitchen of the Rainbow Hostel in Dingle whe we are camping tonight, surrounded by young Europeans. We are thinking of broadening our horizons next year with a wee European venture. It's a teenage dream!

So hard to beat!

LLL

Well readers, we have made it to Killarney so only one final stage to Dingle. On arrival in Killarney this afternoon, Stuart made a wrong turn and ended up in the campsite on his own while we found a cosy little bar in downtown Killarney to watch the end of today's TdeF stage and spend the rest of the kitty.

Charlie Foley was a pleasant respite from the road and it was with shock and surprise that we left the bowels of the hostelry to find that the Irish summer had returned. Consequently it was another soaking for us on the short hop to the campsite but at least we didn't need a shower after a good drenching on the last leg of the cycle. Unlike Stuart who regained the bracelet jaune after another sweaty day on the bike. He loves to sweat. Well done again Stuart. You are an inspiration to us all with that pheromone perfume!

Tomorrow is the last cycling leg of the trip. It has flown by and we have a few stories to tell. Unfortunately the censor prevents me from putting it on here so you will have to attend the reunion and hear in person why Big Al moved his tent from Tipperary to Kilkenny or why Andy chose not to sleep in the dry dorm!

In the fullness of time............

LLL

We have stopped in a place called Rathmore for lunch al fresco. Yes, you read that correctly, the sun is almost shining and it is not raining. Le soigneur is on the phone to charity fundraising coordinator Michele la belle de Laurelhill to get the top up from her big bucket to keep pushing that total skyward.

More photos later and keep the faith. We're nearly there.

LLL

A good night's sleep has set us up for the penultimate day of cycling. Look out Killarney, the Northerners are coming!!

LLL

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