Distance covered: 20 metres (to the local café)
Number of people sleeping in my room: 4
Consecutive days my shoes have been wet: 3
Cups of tea consumed: 6
Number of raindrops that fell: 1988758800 (rounded to nearest thousand)
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After cycling more kilometres in 5 days than I've done in the last 5 months I decided today was a good day to rest. The weather is absolute pants so I packed up the tent and have been chilling out at the aptly named Sleepy Camel hostel with my lovely hosts Jenny and Chris. My new cycle buddy Dave braved the elements and left in what I can only describe as dismal conditions to continue cycling the Ring of Kerry. Good luck to ya fella!
It's hard to believe it's only been a week since I left Dublin as so much has happened. When I first had the idea to do this tour all I really knew was that I was going to do it on a bicycle.
Anyone who has met me knows I live life at a hectic pace but when I get on a bicycle there's only room in my head for two things.
There's the physical activity and rhythm of pedalling which leaves just enough space for some personal reflection. So, if you'll allow me I'd love to share some of these random thoughts as they occur to me along the way.
One of the first things that changed on about day 3 was my decision making process. I didn't realise until now how many of my decisions were made based on habit or prior knowledge. Now I'm in unchartered territory and everything and everyone is new to me, I'm having to rely on gut instinct most of the time.
There's a giddy buzz I get each time I listen to my inner compass, doing what feels right, rather than what previous experience tells me.
I think deep down we all know which way we're supposed to be going and who we're supposed to be, but we don't always trust the feeling. So I'm learning to trust myself more but don't worry, I'm not ready to give away the maps and sat-nav just yet!
Tomorrow I have to be on the road at 6am to cycle almost 50km to Portmagee to get a ferry to Skelligs Rock at 9.45am. My heart flutters just thinking about visiting such an amazing and historic place. I'll be on the lookout for these guys while I'm there. Can everyone please cross a finger or toe so that the weather holds and we get out there.