day 8

Day 8
Well it started of a very dark dull day. With mark and bob not getting much sleep because of our middle aged loud neighbours . These guys were part of some gun dog club or something like that. (nice lads to a point .but didn’t give a flying fxxk for anybody else in the camp site.) They were like 4 teenagers or young lads messing around in the shower room-something just did not seem right.
Well we packed up and left six mile water caravan park ,a nice family place, tranquil, just on the edge of the lake.We headed over the road for another Ulster fry- and off we went.We had planed to take the day off but because of the bad weather and we would try and get some road behind us. Heading towards Warrenpoint Via Belfast, Hollywood, Millisle, Portaferry and then back up again towards Newtownards. We bumped to a very nice gentleman in White house just north of Belfast where we had just pulled in to find our bearings and he had seen our hi viz and stopped us and asked; what its all about. He seemed very impressed with what we were doing and donated £20. Its pretty cool when people see you doing a charity event and without you asking them to donate they do!!! Nice one JOHN HOPPER.
At this stage the clouds were getting darker and darker .Trying to get through Belfast was not that easy the old sat nav was working overtime. Roughly an hour later we were on the road to Hollywood; then the heavens opened; boy did we get soaked but we're real bikers so we kept going and on to Groomsport where we pulled in for a coffee and to get out of the bad weather .We were planning on cheating and getting the ferry across at Portaferry but the hardy bikers we are said no, stick to the route and get a hotel instead.{Well it was bucketing down!!}
Driving back up towards Newtownards and it didn’t look like it would ease up at all- so that was it and we decided to get some place and quick as all or gear is soaked and the camera bags drowned and the computers would be next. Dexter was like a big wet {well you can imagine what he is like}, he's really bothered coz it takes him so long to groom himself every day, he is one vain tiger!!!
It was decided that at the next filling station in Downpatrick we would ask for the closest hotel. They recommended a place called the Bally Dugan mill. And it was Class. Lucky or what. They had just 1 place left; a lovely 2 bedroom apartment away from the hotel, the staff there were great and could not do enough for us. They got the heating on as soon as possible and booked us in for dinner. I have to admit this is like a 200 year old cottage beautifully restored but in a block of 3 apartments ..and the hotel is about 8 floors with as much of its old style charm still there. The guy who owns the place is also the guy who restored it. I think 8 years ago or something like that. This place is so great I can see my self coming back to for a weekend.
Before dinner and only because we got so wet, it was time to wet the whistle with a pint of black so Dexter (tight as he may be) got them in. So there we were nice and finally dry beside the big open fire in Bally Dugan Mill. We chatted with the staff and locals before dinner at 8.30, the food was great home-made food that tasted good. And then back to wash it all down with 1 or 2 more black pints. At this point i'd just like to mention that these pints would be part of our P.R programme. After all that it was time for the leaba. So from Dexter, Mark, Bob, and myself-thanks to Joan, Elizabeth, Linda and Maureen for all your hospitality ..1 nice place to stay