An early start was called for and by 7am we are on the boil. Meeting Den at the Wagon pub north of Ponteland for 7.40am. Oops that was minus Ian who had returned home for his passport.(Oh yes Southern Ireland is a foreign country.)

The day was going quite well until Denny at a point just north of Inverness declared a sudden loss of coolant in hid engine. After a 2 hour wait for the RAC his bike was declared unfit to continue and he and the bike was dispatched on the back of a trailer back to Newcastle. What a bummer all the preparation and then less than a days bike ride.

A couple of years ago I had completed the run from Lands End to John O'Groats (known as LeJog) in one day and was wondering how I had managed to fit in the extra 470 miles.

With all the waiting about it was 6.30pm before we arrived at John O'Groats and an hour later before we arrived at the bar.

The day had taken its toll on Paul and by 9.06pm he stated that it was time for bed, only the promise of a Bailey's with coffee kept him up for a further 15 minutes to winge on about how hard he works. by 9.45 we were pleased to see the end of the moaning. (money on he's off on the phone again)(hi BABE).

The Seaview hotel was a worthwhile stop for both the hospitality and the food.

Up early rain was not the welcome we had hoped for. But if its raining then they is not much you can do about it. We delayed the start till 10am and the rain had cleared.

Only the first of today's problems was to pop up its head. bill's bike refused to start because of a flat battery. After a 300m push it eventually started only the pushers were moaning.

Off for the traditional photograph at the top and several telephone calls to BMW and the choice of continue pushing or have the bike collected and sent to Inverness for a few days or straight home, all for a battery. A couple of visits to auto centers in Thurso allowed us to construct a set of miniature jump leads ready for the next morning. thanks to autoparts of Thurso and charles Angus Engineers (yes 2 companies for the construction of set of jump leads. Paul even joined in by sticking tape over the connections ( one day this lad will become an mechanic)

News came through that Denny was home in a truck just after midnight with his bad bike and a broken radiator thoughts a quick repair and a return was considered. But not realistic possible as saturday would see us catch a ferry to Stornaway and the Hebrides part of the trip.

Ian's bike had developed a problem that would ensure he had a permanent brake light so removal of the ensured that he just had no lights on the back end.

Paul joined in the problems with a autocom that had water damage, so all in all the 170 odd miles had taken till 6pm.

Tonight's accommodation was provided the Morefield Motel in Ullapool and as usual no complaints on the hospitality. Oh I must add that wireless internet is available FOC if you can work out the log on instructions, but hey do not complain at least it is free.

The day was awful, drizzle a rough sea passage took order of the day. Loaded and off for 10.30am for a 3 hour crossing. Paul quickly started to look green and came back to the table with an ice cream just for himself. then off for a lie down, and to catch up on a bit beauty sleep.

Arrival at the hotel for 2pm was the lot for the day, what with wind and water upon us that was enough. The chance to do some running repairs on Paul's bike and the opportunity to find the man utd v sunderland game on the TV was a good enough reason in my book.

A call was also placed to find a man who or could confirm it was the battery that was at fault on Bill's bike

Paul once again was tired around 7pm and although less than 2 miles had been completed declared he had been on the toilet 5 times today. Maybe that was also my job to wipe his backside I do everything else and it was wearing Paul out.

Tonight's bed was provided by the Caladh Inn hotel in Stornoway. A lovely friendly place well located, where I was taught that it was STORNOWAY not STORNAWAY as I had always thought for the past 20 years.

The sun was shining and it was our chance (after the repair man had finished) to do the loop around the top of the island. The 90 miles loop provided good roads with little single track. The scenery was fantastic only the lack of coffee stops (none) and thoughts that had I been in the motorhome looking for overnight stop and pubs I would have been disappointed .I could not believe that everything comes to a standstill on a Sunday it had a feeling of Christmas day back home. We noticed as we rode the parking problem outside the church's was a sight to be seen. Then at 12 the church rush hour began. In total of the 200 miles covered today we never a cafe open and only 2 garages what a quite place on a Sunday. The hotel was situated at the end of the road and gave the feeling that it was the end of the world, situated in a fantastic location next to the ferry terminal. Which was just as well as the ferry leaves at 7am in the morning.

The only complaint was a christening had taken place at the hotel and the place was overrun with kids from nil to seven. Paul mentioned that it would go quite early on as they all went to bed, my bet was that Paul and Ian would be in bed before the kids.

Paul's bike acted up today and decided to deprive him of a front light, it was like the end of the world Paul was was deciding if he should cal out the emergency services to fix his light.

Tonight's accommodation was at Lochboisdale hotel, South Uist in the outer hebrides.

The first post was sounded early today as the ferry check in was at 7am, bacon butties were provided as an early breakfast.

another jump start was required and the task today was to locate a dealer with a battery. Only to find no phone coverage on the ship. Permission was granted for me to leave the ship in Castlebay and use the ferry masters phone on the key side. speed was required as the boat only docks for 15 minutes. A battery was located in Belfast and this could be obtained on Tuesday as we started our ring of Ireland.

Castlebay appeared to be a lovely small town on the island of Barra. the island was also celebrating its annual merchant navy day, and the place was overrun with school children.

The ship crossing time was a lengthy 7 hours not docking in Oban until 2.10pm leaving all to until the afternoon. the route taken was via Dunoon and was helped by fantastic weather.

Troon had never really rocked my boat in the past but will be remember for the fine beer and food at the anchorage hotel right opposite the ferry terminal ready for the next days departure.

Map day 6 (Larne to Donegal via BMW Belfast) Track from Gps  

What a start, off the ferry half an hour late into Larne and a run to Charles Hurst to try and get and get the battery fitted before lunch. No chance a wrong turn would ensure we missed lunch.

The dealer was most helpful and our thanks go to Alan for that. Having made a phone call from the outer hebrides one day to having the bike sorted the next was a joy. While at the dealer he spotted a oil leak on Paul's final drive shaft which put him in state of panic. Paul then managed to snap a cable feeding the autocom just by fiddling about . Ian's bike got a quick once over but the dealer did not have the parts to fix his brake light problem.

so here we are 3pm and sitting outside a dealer updating a web site and not riding the bikes.

2 choices lay ahead should we run straight to Donegal (100 mile) or take the slower coast road to via the road bridge and the giant causeway (180 mile slower but more fun road). Everyone we talked to insisted that we should do the long way and enjoy the roads and tourist attractions. That we did, I had done it before and knew it was good. In the end I think all agreed the coast road is a fantastic road.

The road bridge is accessed with money and a 2km walk but what a experience. it may be only 90foot above sea level but tied and swinging between 2 rocks it wobbles the knees some what. Time was running out and a quick dash to the Giant causeway was made. The days run to Donegal was not complete after crossing the unmanned boarder and the clock was showing gone 8.30pm.

This was Paul's first experience of of Ireland and his first ever pint of Guinness. Thankfully a couple of un spoilt bars still exist in the town. Local crack about the area and tales of many. Local food was proved around 11 in the local Indian.

the hospitality was in the Atlantic B&B in Donegal, a meet and great service provided by the owner on arrival on a wet night was welcome.

Well the previous night had seen us chatting to the locals, and an offer was made to visit one of the locals seaside residence. He was Liam aged 80 who said we should call around at 10.30am for a coffee. Not sure what to do as we could not remember the directions clearly. We returned to load the bikes outside the hotel when he was standing there waiting and had a taxi booked for us to follow the 5 miles back to see his place.

What a man, what a place he started to built it 18 years ago and it took him 9 years in the making. It was unbelievable stone built to look like a ship, he stated that he originally got into trouble with the planners but because it was so eccentric it could remain.

Leaving late after our visit we headed for Cong the place where John Wayne's movie the Quite Man was made. Since my last visit I noticed that the place had started to change. One of the locals informed me that not as many tourists had been coming, everything has its day and I suppose anyone under 40 will not the film, no matter how good it was.

As always happen the day no matter how small the miles always disappears and ends in rush at hotel. clifton remains to be a busy town full of life. If you don't like it here they say you can always carry on to the next place Boston USA. Bed was found at the station hotel good but lacks the personal touch.

Up and off early was the plan, until I explained that today's ride would take us past Lisdoonvarna where every September the town plays host to matchmaking of single men. The event gets populated with lots of rich American woman.

The next thing I knew was Ian and Paul planning a hair cut in Clifton before we left. Ian even considered getting rid of his tash, but at the last minute decided a trim was good enough.

Then the race begun Ian even took the lead in the dash for Lisdoonvarna, he led for 65 miles before Paul shot past. However Paul was using the wrong tool for navigation and ended up 11 miles away in the wrong town. It was like a ghost town as expected (I have been before).

The day was getting hotter as we headed for the cliffs of Moher and touched 23c to hot for much of a wonder only a quick photograph and an ice cream. The place was packed.

After catching the ferry across the shannon and a wonderful run over the Conner pass we arrived in Dingle at 6.30pm stopping at Bamburys Guest House a favorite of mine on previous trips. Oh how pleased I was to find access to open internet access free of charge. Compared to clifton demand of 19 euros.

The night was voted the best both the local crack and the accommodation once again proved Dingle to the winner in my books.