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July 20 Thursday rain Bicycle touring Ireland The ever-present clouds and rain have somewhat dampened Sharon's usually sunny outlook. She continues to be as grouchy as a wet Griz. We have agreed to a truce of sorts. Or at least a momentary ceasefire to the stinging criticisms. But, if you really want to know, I am praying for sunshine tomorrow. Ironically, listening to VOA, we learn that a heat wave in the States has killed 600 people. It rained in the morning, as promised. During a lull in the constant rain we packed up our bicycle touring gear and made a break for it. We almost made it to Boyle, Ireland, before another deluge struck. We squished the remaining three kilometres into town. I've been less wet when I've taken a bath. We bicycled to a park by Lake * and had a large lunch of Muesli, egg salad sandwiches, soup, tea, and cake. Crows waited patiently on the periphery. As soon as we began to vacate, they swooped in to clean up any tidbits. There is a campground and we go there to take a hot shower. It rained a couple more times as we pedalled away. Just outside the park, we found a free camping spot in the forest. Sharon trimmed my beard for me. Oh, that's so nice, you say. Well, I have an important piece of advice to pass on. Never make your beard trimmer angry with you. Yikes. Just call me patchy. Sharon went shopping for groceries. Two women touring cyclists were waiting for a bus outside the store. They have had enough rain (guess we're not the only ones in a constant state of wretchedness). They are going to catch a bus to somewhere -- anywhere -- drier. To pass the time, I chatted with them. "Where are you from?" I ask. "Germany," they reply. Many of the Germans we have met bicycle touring tell us whether they come from the east or west part of Germany, especially if they are from the east. To continue the conversation, I ask if they are from the east or the west? "It's all one country now, you know!" one cattily spats. "Really!?" I exclaimed. "When was it two?" Guess Sharon isn't the only one that rain makes cranky. From now on, I'll stick to a safe topic -- like the weather. I should have guessed they were Wessies. The Ossies are friendlier, more exuberant and curious. |
