Uluru, Armagh ???
Trip Start
Jul 22, 2006
1
6
Trip End
Ongoing
Armagh, United Kingdom
Friday, July 28, 2006
My newfound freetime allowed me to work out an itinery. I was thinking of heading down cycle path 9, which would lead me to Portadown, I'd stay the night then head off to Armagh.
Portadown was not recommended for 2 reasons:-
1) due to the Marching Season. According to the Lonely Planet (Cycling Ireland): "on 12 July, members of the Loyal OrangeOrder across Northern Ireland march to commemorate the 1690 victory of Protestant King William III of Orange over Catholic King James II."
2) apparently it wasn't very nice.
So although last night having considered travelling down the coast, this morning the Ulster cycle seemed most appropriate.
At 9.50am under grey Belfast skies I headed off. A slight drizzle, but nothing major.
Cycle path 9 took me along the Lagan towpath to Lisburn, I would then head to Moira, Craigavon, Portadown & then Armagh.
All was fine until a few miles before Moira where the cycle signs ceased. In hindsight it appears a trickster may have turn a sign around to send cyclists in the wrong direction.
Eventually I found my way and rediscovered the cycle route on the outskirts of Moira.
A relatively easy, but long cycle to Craigavon Lakes where the sky burst open and it bucketed down, thankfullly I already had my waterproof gear on.
I discovered two things, the downpour had killed my speedo and my waterproof boots weren't.
At Portadown a cycle shop recommend the best way to Armagh was to head up the A3, cycling on the hard shoulder.
I was ecstatic when I reached the sign that welcomed me to Armagh. "Ecclesiastical Capital of Ireland" apparently.
The Tourist Centre advised me that the hostel was just up the hill. I checked in and then headed out for some essentials...2 Guinness, fruit, muesli bars and assorted groceries.
The one thing I didn't expect in Armagh was Uluru-Australian Cuisine Restaurant.
