4 Aug 2017
Vaughan’s pub Kilfenora was this years venue for the ‘into the west’ rally, organised by Munster SC. Myself, Barney, Paul and Lee boarded the Liverpool/Dublin ferry for a 03:00 sailing. We were met by Phil Ashton from Dunlairy outside the port entrance before making our way to Scooter Island to get a mirror bracket for Barney’s Vespa. Scooter Island is owned by Shazy, who is an old acquaintance of the LSC lads. Bracket fitted and away we go! Heading towards the Naas road, an hour or two later we meet up with Shiney and Mark and set off for Limerick. Just before we get to Limerick we meet up with Masso, Karen, Morris and Jerry. Jerry gets to test ride Barney’s PX for the last 60 miles or so (Barney’s back is in bulk!) All seems to be going well until Shiney goes flying past on his TS1, then pulls into the hard shoulder. We all stop and I’m the first one to walk back to him having seen this before! Shiney had removed the panel thinking the plug cap had popped off, but no it was still on. Shiney then tries to kick the engine over, but there is an obvious lack of compression! so i say “check your plug” the spark plug was peppered with spots of aluminium! probably from a holed piston. So it’s in the back of Morris’s van for the last 30 miles! We finally arrive at Vaughan’s pub 19:30, over 7 hours and 175 miles after leaving the grand old city of Dublin.
After checking in to our luxury Hostel with all mod cons, we made a beeline for the bar in Vaughan’s (next door) a pint or three later and we needed food. The kitchen was closed for order’s but the manager said we could have ‘traditional Irish Stew’ with mash and fresh home baked bread, it was lovely just what we needed to set us up for a session. After we had eaten everyone made their way to the garden at the rear of the pub. The atmosphere at the Craic was fantastic, making new friends and catching up with old one’s. As it was my birthday the day before the Irish lads had got me a cake and a bottle of Buckfast! enough said. As the night wore on into the next day it was time for bed, or so I thought.! birthday drinks were coming from all directions. Much later than planned we hit the (much needed) sack.