May 1, 2025
Getting There
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The weather forecast on my phone shows yellow discs representing sunshine for the next two weeks, so I've chosen the time well.
I took most of the morning sorting what I'm taking and packing it on the bike, then set off before 12 to catch the 12.40 bus to Belfast. There are two buses: the 520 is a low floor, or double decker. The other is the 237. It could be called a high floor as there is a roomy luggage compartment underneath. Bikes go for free on the later with room for two, while not allowed on the former but is at the discretion of the driver if there is room.
The journey takes a little over an hour, arriving in the city with adequate time to cycle the few miles to the ferry terminal for a 15.30 sailing. Presently, the ferry is shuddering as it moves away from the dock and when I arrive in a bit over two hours, there should be enough daylight to cycle south to the Mull Of Galloway: the start-point of the Faultline Trail. I'm hoping there is a good wild camping spot somewhere near.
I am writing this one-fingered on my phone which is the only electronic device I'm using. I will try and get some photos later to represent the day.
Well it has been a few weeks. There is not much time to update a journal while on the road, but now I'm back home I can start updating from the notes taken and upload photos.
So where was I? The ferry docked in Cairnryan, a small village hemmed in by steep hills at the side of Loch Ryan with two ferry terminals: Stenaline and competitor P&O where ferries arrive and depart from and for Ireland. The north-south coastal road or A77 through the village is a tight squeeze when a ferry arrives and not a cyclist friendly road. I calculate that half the traffic would turn north and half south when exiting the ferry terminal. Even so, half the cars, motorhomes and trucks of a large ferry is still a lot of traffic. A steady train that I dodge into the side for safety upon the shoulder-less first few miles southbound until a dedicated cycle-path appears.
The Kona Unit X is pretty playful to ride. Its as though it isn't carrying any baggage at all. Though the reason I'm zipping along could be a tailwind.
One thing I overlooked was provision for carrying water. I have packed enough home cooking to see me through until tomorrow, but I have to stop at Morrisons supermarket in Stranraer to purchase a 2 litre bottle of water. It fits snugly in the pocket on the rear of my small backpack, then continue east on the London Road out of town, picking up the Faultline Trail going south and after a few miles l'm upon single-track road across treeless countryside, free of traffic apart from the occasional large tractor with hay-rake or disc harrow that I'm forced in to let pass. I can now feel the wind on my back with a chill and it isn't long until the sun is waning. It looks like it'll be a cold night as I scan the country for a sheltered spot to camp. Trees. There is a small pine plantation, but when I get near see it is by a house.
I reach an uncultivated tract of land to the left mainly covered with last year's withered brown bracken and small willowy trees. There is no fence barring entry, so I push the Kona in and find a level grassy spot free of bracken and pitch the tent. I open the radio app and its striking how content I am listening without the distraction I'd have at home of plumbing and kitchen extractor fan. I wasn't listening long as I was soon asleep.
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