Wild cold night - phone needed to be warmed up in sleeping bag to get it to work. Struggling to get out of my warm cocoon bag given it’s still windy and cold outside.

Had in tent excellent brekky - strong coffee with some olive oil Pitta bread jam and local soft sheeps cheese. My watch seems to have lost an hour as it’s 7.30 and watch time says 6.30, its had a good long tough life and is no longer waterproof. Saw some nice watches in Switzerland but they were rather $ Thinking watch might be low battery and cold could have killer the charge.
Today lots of bitumen but we visit the Castle of Briona (wel that was the plan).
Coffees and chatted with Liz who did one of her best half marathon times ever.
Called into fave very locale supermarket must have been 7-10 staff, 3 behind the meat & cheese section alone used translate to buy “formaggio di pecora”. So my lunch is sorted ...
Missed trail early on then it crossed my road pointed bike up trail but it was silty soft and turned a tight left gander got stuck rear wheel spinning. Eventually crawled up the hill but lost my confidence then there was a huge water bar in front... turned around feeling bit shaky and began questioning.
Descended into a small lake turned away from TET route the attraction of water on a hot day. All beaches seemed to be privee. Parked in a hotel car park and there was a narrow path down to the water. Took my lunch and there was a few locals enjoying - dark bronze with faded baggy budgie smugglers - not a great sight. My healthy lunch consisted of olive oil outta bread, mustard, water cress, sheeps cheese and the best cherry tomatoes I’ve ever tasted. Ate two pitta stripped off down to my indies and T shirt (when in rime...). Then had a nanno nap. Waking feeling muzzy headed I had a swim in the cool refreshing freshwater lake. Then I felt guilty and thought I needed to make progress. Part of me does not want this trip to end. It takes a few weeks to get into the rhythm of travelling, and I’m just getting there now and have to return. Read a really nice mental health article by Richard Branson today...(yes some FB shares are really worthwhile).
Essentially he suggests that happiness is not about doing it’s about being and while doing will bring you moments of joy it won’t necessarily reward you with lasting happiness...So I started off by forwarding this on to several others... but upon reflection that was exactly the opposite of what he was trying to say. I was beside a simply beautiful lake with lots going on, a young Muslim family playing, a man fishing, young people sun baking, really beautiful piece of art. I have to admit all I wanted to do was share the moment with others and gain their admiration. I missed Richards point, I was simply not being.
Eventually left feeling quite challenged recognising that I’m over sharing on social media and perhaps that’s the issue. Still wanting to complete my goal before heading back to UK.
Finally I’ve worked out the maps app and its awesome a glance down to the screen gives you the next two turns so you know what to expect and can set up for the next turn.
The roads got smaller and smaller eventually ending in a broken up bitumen rd then dirt! Then national park washed out tracks, puddles, mud... I lost my mojo and turned around stopping to look at a map. Then reviewed the detailed app map looking at the contours and elevation and decided to give it a go after reducing tyre pressures working out that it did not look too steep.
Kept thinking momentum is your friend and that this is not the hardest trails I’ve ever ridden. Could see which way the switch backs were going on my maps so set up for corners by switching to the outside wheel rut to give biggest arc in the turn. Out of the worst and on top of a hill with awesome views , pic time. Kept riding single track bitumen met couple of Italians... eventually into a small village - snow topped peaks in Switzerland in the distance, again more pics. Had run out of water could see young boy and his grandmother looking at me. Walked up to greet them and ask for some water. The boy point red me towards a square fountain so filled up.
Lots of deprived areas several closed factories and houses for sake.
Ended up in a nice little easy gravel rd alongside a river to finish took some video and gave it some beans. Nearest camp site was around 25 km away ... could be an option.
Nothing closer found hotel - they were full! They then called around to see if they can find a room for me ... ! Found one but not free until 7 pm, 3.5 km away rode their & sat outside in the evening sun for 40 minutes. A fallorn place, all shutters closed up surrounded by corn fields barking dogs, an unhappy horse! Was not getting warm vibes! It’s now 7.07 he was supposed to be here ...patience is a virtue I don’t have especially after a long and taxing days ride. Will give him 15 mins if still not arrive then will bail, eat in town and wild camp - upon reflection I don’t want to wild camp tonight.
Ok I’m bailing ... I ride up the road and google Camping its 25 minutes away set sat nav. OMG now in a camp site with a vista of 4000 metre peaks, restaurant beside a lake ... €26 Euro. The sun set was so magnificent I had to leave the booking office and grab my camera. Rode in wrong direction to get here but boy was it worth it. Richard I hear you ...