16th June 2012, Mervyn's Diary

Cycling to Fitzgerald's Park and All Around the City

According to Mervyn:

Great fun this morning, I saw a side of the Cork I've taken for granted in the car; The bike is a welcome change to appreciate the beauty of the city.

Passage to Blackrock tomorrow at 10.45.. can't wait!

FOOTNOTES BY THE EDITOR:

And as you can see below, some youngsters, coming down the Shaky Bridge saw a side of Mervyn on a bike too, albeit a very tiny side??

 

Something of Mervyn was seen by the Shaky Bridge, but what happened to the rest of him??
Note: This photo was not photo shopped!!

Mervyn checks his pedals and watches his gears.

Mervyn nervously awaits the results of the Bike Doctor's verdict! :)

And finally the video....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7GXxeKrl2M&feature=youtu.be



16th June 2012, Christine's Diary

  

What happened on Training Day?:

Christine was captured on camera by the blog editor:

Short clip of Christine on Training Day in Fitzgeralds Park above and photo below...



Christine's Bike also got the all-clear before the test from Adam D'arcy- one of Cork Community Bikes Safe Cycling Instructors.

The video clip above is from:
http://www.youtube.com/user/OperationTransport





16th June 2012, Alison's Diary

Post Training Optimism

Alison's response:

Just back from my three hour training session on how to cycle my bike in traffic. I'm tired, but I enjoyed it. All set now for cycling to and from work all of next week!!

Alison keeps a hold on her bike as she seems to wonder why Anna is looking so relaxed,
 as they wait for their Bikes to be checked by the Shaky Bridge.



Alison keeps within the obstacles.



All that focused concentration paid off as Alison successfully completes her first test.

16th June 2012, Anna and Joe's Diary

Shopping, visiting and touring around Cobh on a bike:

The First Saturday Cycle according to Joe:

I've not been on a bike for nearly 12 months so I'm unsure how it will go.

We are living near Fota road so we decided to go to Carrigtwohill to buy some food for the Sunday dinner, stopped in at Barryscourt Castle for a look around and traveled on to Rossmore to visit my sister before heading home.

Joe poses with his bike outside Barryscourt Castle.

It was a good start and we noticed some things in the countryside that you don't see in a car.

I'm not great on a bike though, but I would love to keep it going. One day over! Joe.

Extracts above are lifted from:

http://www.facebook.com/OperationTransportation#!/joe.annaaherne

Footnotes about Barryscourt castle:

This was the 13th century seat of the Barry family, who destroyed much of the castle following the  the Desmond Rebellions of 1569 and 1579. However, the family later accepted the queens pardon and by 1593, Lord Barry was infamous as an enemy of the Irish cause.

The present castle, is a fine example of an Irish tower house,with its largely intact corner towers and the bawn wall built after the queens pardon.

What can be viewed:

• Both the First floor Main Hall and the Second Floor Great Hall have been extensively restored with fittings and furnishings reinstated.
• The Orchard has been restored to an original 16th century design and

  

  The Great Hall in Barry's Court Castle

• The herb garden has been reinstated in the bawn. 

  

For more information about Barryscourt Castle see:
http://www.carrigtwohillcommunity.ie/attractions/barryscourt/barryscourt.htm
or
http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/South-West/BarryscourtCastle/