Day 4: Doonaha to Doolin

Day four started off cool with light cloud cover; it could have gone either way. Last night's westerly blast had died right down but what was left was coming from the north - mmm which way today? Still a bit tired from yesterday's 70 miler the boys had breakfast poured into them, were placed on their bikes and pushed off in the right direction. 

The surgically precise route planning had the team heading along the coast on mostly main roads today so it came as a bit of a surprise after half an hour to be heading down a muddy track that would be challenging on a mountain bike, oh what fun the gps was having with the boys again. Amusing as it was it was nice to get back onto proper roads, and at the same time the sun came out. It was to stay out and it became a glorious day, with views to match the weather.

The day got better and better, classic cycle touring scenery along the County Clare coastline with vidid colours, sparkling blue sea and bright sunshine. After 38 miles the boys came over the range of hills that end in the cliffs of Moher, and had fantastic views northwards to Doolin, the days destination, and right across Galway Bay to the impressive mountains of Connemara.

Jan and Emily had established another great camp with the van looking straight out over the sea at the cliffs of Moher. The view was enough to tempt the Probert challenge 5 to take the 5:30 boat trip for a closer view. The cliffs were amazing - 690 ft of vertical black shale and sandstone stuffed with guillemots, puffins, gulls and lots of other white things. The Atlantic swell was quite dramatic, Greg had survival thoughts, Emily thought it was sick.

After a few nights of fine dining provided by Mum the cupboard was getting empty but as a promising sunset was building over Doolin harbour a fantastic day was concluded in great style with a scratch meal of beans on toast, Bombay bad boy pot noodle and red wine - a winning combination.