Day 4 - 30/06/20 - Fish & Chips
Day 4 kicked off from Cushendun around 0800 in a forest full of midges.
I quickly decamped and strolled over to the nearby static camp site to use their facilities.
Unfortunately all that was available was an outside tap and I think I was lucky to get the use of a picnic table as most of them had pot plants on top of them, presumably to stop them being used?!
I had a litre of Huel and a banana for breakfast before setting of for Ballycastle in overcast but warm weather.
That was all soon to change, however not before a lovely couple called Harvey and Avra pulled over to chat to me and ask all about what I was doing.
Including my eating habits and if I was lonely - relishing the peace and quiet! 😃
About 20min after we chatted a drizzle started and another 20min later it became that 'fine rain that soaks you right through' that your Granny would tell you about 😅. This lasted (at least with me) for most of the day so once again full gortex was donned and the rustling hiker was off again 🙄.
There was a lot of ups and downs between Cushendun and Ballycastle which made the going slightly tougher and I got my first blister today, which isn't bad after around 100km I reckon!
As soon as I felt it coming on; the boots were off and the blister dealt with and taped up. You need to catch them early or there will be hell later down the road (pun intended 😅). It was actually some tape I had put on earlier had rolled up and was rubbing - typical!
So with the fine rain came the low clouds and visibility went down to around 50m at one point which wasn't good for traffic or my site seeing.
Coming into Ballycastle though I took a back route which lead me past Corrymela. Reminded me of when we went there with CRUSE a bereavement organisation.
The cloud had cleared but it was still raining as I headed for Mortons fish and chips and ended up sitting under the Visitor Information Centre veranda eating my fish supper. After which I got a cup of tea and sat under a tree in the middle of town watching the people about their (restricted) business.
It was only about 1530 at this stage so I decided to get a couple more km in and head of in the direction of Bushmills. I am currently camped on the beach in white rocks bay between Balintoy and Dunseverick.
On route here I got attacked but not bitten by a Collie coming out of a farm entrance. It followed me for about 300m growling, barking and bearing it teeth the hole time. Eventually the farmer came out to get it, and from 300m away I may have missed the apology 🙄.
Upon making my way down to the camp area I met another couple whom had seen me earlier that day up by Corrymela.
Tis a small world 😃. They had a wee dog called Buster who was an apprentice rabbit catcher by the looks of it 😅.
One last thing. As I was taking my boots off this evening and checking my feet as always, I noticed a weird slime on the end of my right sock. I thought that's funny cause my toes don't hurt (thinking it was some sort of puss).
Turns out a slug had crawled into the boot last night and had travelled the whole day with me. 🤣🤣🤢
Pic will be on Instagram at some point 😁.
Today's stats
Distance travelled 37km
Total Ascent 1038m - told you there were a lot of ups and downs today. Looks like tomorrow will be much the same!!
