A break from the routine

         When an Irish person tells you a road is flat, it is hilly. When told it is hilly, I know I am in for some long climbs. Today just as yesterday was filled with long climbs followed by long decents until I reach Skibbereen.  Rode through a few waterfront towns with nice harbors and boats to match.  Passed a few decent hotels catering to the more discerning tourists. 

     A few days back, a motorcyclist I had been talking with said they were head for Baltimore on the coast.  Wondering what the allure was, I began seeing signs for ferries to a set of islands, departing from Baltimore.  In Skibbereen, worn down by the hills, I stopped in at the town's information center and asked about Baltimore seven miles down the road. Should I take a detour and see one of these islands? Time being on my side, I rode to Baltimore, nice seaside town, and took the ferry to Sherkin, a fifteen minute trip.  The tourist information office had called to check on the local hostel; now a B&B but very reasonable priced. Once on the island, I covered a few miles on very narrow roads, up, down and around until I can to beautiful setting where the B&B was located.  Cathy, who once lived in Glastonbury, Connecticut, showed me around.  A very calming place where I was able to shift the engine into neutral. Picked up food supplies in Skibbereen so I could  have dinner without having to backtrack to the island pub. As for my liquid carbohydrate for the day,  I met a Scotsman in Baltimore, who had an Aage Nelson fifty foot double ender, cutter rig, tied up at the dock.  We had a beer together while I waited for the ferry.  

     Tomorrow, I 

 see a bit of the island and go back to the mainland for a short ride down the neighboring peninsula on the lowest south westerly point of Ireland.