Wed, August 21.

       

Day 25:               Rest Day in Clare.

Today's a special day as it's Saoirse’s birthday (our granddaughter). Now she’s 6 and I did celebrate it.

3 of 15. Woody (South Carolina, USA) He has gone the whole way round Australia and suffered 24 punctures. He just glides along in a high gear. Since 1975 he has cycled over 800,000 km. And he most definitely doesn't like the cold.

4 of 15. Ben (Sydney) One of the young fast ones. Enthusiastic rider and frequently goes on side trips to interesting spots.

The day started off cold and never really warmed up. Light rain came now and again although I succeeded in keeping dry. There’s a cold front moving through and we hope it moves fast. We want the sunshine and the heat back....and the tailwind. This is no weather for tents and camping.

I arose early as soon as brightness showed and headed for the laundry and for the dryer. Not much hope of drying outside. All this done before breakfast. I had plans for the day.

 I geared up and headed out on the bike. I picked up the Riesling Trail, a 35 km restored railway line for walkers, joggers and cyclists just like the Western Greenway from Westport to Achill. I picked it up just across the road from the Caravan Park and turned left. I had it to myself and moved nicely along beneath the trees. Sometimes it went through a cutting, and other times it was raised up over the surroundings.

Along this trail, I was frequently ’buzzed’ by magpies. It happens cyclists regularly. Once you enter their territory, they swoop down from behind with a shriek and strike the helmet. At first it’s frightening. It also happened a lot yesterday evening in the grounds of Sevenhills Winery. Couldn't catch this on camera.

Near the northern end of the trail, I switched onto the road and arrived at Sweet Briar with its vast array of vines. Granted, vines look naked at this time of the season. I didn’t expect anyone to be there but still I threw an expert eye on them! All about on the slopes were lines and lines of vines, but not many workers did I see attending to them. I left a note there recording my visit and sending my regards.A quiet and peaceful spot. So, this is the home, the nursery of famous O’Dwyer Wine.

I returned into Clare by road, down by the Clare Country Club and some interesting street sculpture.

Near central Clare, at the old Clare Railway Station,I picked up the Riesling Trail again and travelled south. Called into Sevenhills Winery again as I missed the crypt last evening underneath St Aloysius’s Church. Forty Jesuits are buried here and some of them must be Irish with names like Cleary, Power, O’Brien, Daly and others. Yesterday in the winery, I noticed that half of the head wine-makers had very definite Irish surnames.

From here, I headed off the beaten track for Mintaro and Reilly Wines. I knew the distance involved but there were two ranges of steep hills to cross. Some of these were very steep and got me out of the saddle.

Happy Birthday, Saoirse.

Mintaro is a small heritage village among rolling hills of vines. Business premises  were much like we have seen for the last few days. I dropped into Reilly Wines and decided to have lunch to celebrate Saoirse’s birthday. T’was a lovely restaurant with most tables taken. I sampled a few wines before deciding on crisp fresh 2012 Watervale Riesling, their International Medal Winner. I just had a glass with my penne pasta and brought the remainder home for dinner tonight. The Reilly was a shoemaker from Ireland - he didn't make wine, but descendants of his started in 1994 making wine here from their 12 acres of vines. 

Suitably fuelled with such a lunch, I faced back into the hills and 15 km back to the Caravan Park. I did encounter some rain but didn't really get wet. Still, I was glad of a hot coffee and a shower back at base.

In all I covered 50 km on this Rest Day. Paul returned tonight so Team Ireland reforms tomorrow morning for the trip to Gawler.

......and thank God for a lovely day.