Biking it to the farm on the hill

Today I took a most enjoyable trip to McNally's organic vegetable farm in Balrickard, Co. Dublin. This is close to a place called Bog of the Ring, a beautiful area that stretches from the M1 motorway on its eastern boundary through the town land of Ring Commons, to the town land of Curragh East some two and half kilometres northwest. Bog of the Ring is known as an important wetland and wildlife area. It's pretty quiet with not too many motorists on the road thankfully. Perfect for cycling. My journey today would take me from Balbriggan to Balrothery and further along the old N1 before I would turn off right, cross over the M1 motorway and into Bog of the Ring.

Last week I acquired a free bicycle in Balbriggan via the www.freecycle.org website. I had wanted to get a bike for a while and I could not believe my luck to see one going for free in the town on this website. The frame is a little rusty and I'm planning to spray paint and do a little number on it. Maybe paint on some flowers and pick up a basket too. But, brakes, gears, wheels are all in good shape. I tested it out on small routes around the town over the last week, made a few grocery trips and got used to being back on the road. Balbriggan's main streets are not the best for cyclists and now I finally understand why many cyclists pop on and off the footpaths here. You really have to have your wits about you and in need of an adrenaline rush if you want to cycle on the road.

I've been wishing to visit McNally's farm since I heard about it a few years ago. But with Covid-19, having let our car go and one thing or another I just hadn't made the trip. A friend of mine visited us a few weeks ago and we went to IKEA in her car. On the way back I asked her could we quickly check out the farm. We only realised the time when we got there, it was a Tuesday around 6 p.m. and of course the place was closed. But I knew now where it was and knew how I would cycle up there. I used to have a bike many years ago and still had my pannier bag and helmet. I was all set up to go.

This morning I got up and decided today was the day to go check it out on my "new" bike. Another beautiful day. Hot, but not as scorching as the last week had been here. There is a cycle lane all the way from Balbriggan to Balrothery. Between Balrothery and the turn off for Bog of the Ring it is an 80km speed zone on the old N1 but the road is good and there is a nice wide hard shoulder. When you leave the N1 you need to go over the M1 motorway. I stopped on the bridge and looked down. So many cars, all too close to each other and going so fast. At lunchtime on a beautiful Saturday. I wondered where they were all going. Did each of them really have to make their individual journeys? I cycled on and felt a bubble of joy and great relief to be on a bicycle with the sun shining, taking my sweet time, passing green hedgerows, butterflies fluttering around, feeling the cooling breeze on my skin. What a privilege! I even started singing. No one was around to hear. So few cars. But I did get a soft questioning look from a gentle cream coated cow in a field as I drifted past.

In Bog of the Ring I took the left turn for McNally's farm. There is one mother of a steep hill waiting for you after that turn off! I saw a little hand painted sign selling goslings (and a goat). I had read up about keeping geese the other week. Apparently they are great fun, are very good "guard dogs" and make decent lawnmowers. As well as producing eggs. I would love to get one. I actually think our neighbours would get a laugh out of it but we really would need a lot more garden!

Finally I got to the top of the hill. I had to walk a little of it, it was that steep! I had been up off the saddle and peddling like a mad woman but my legs were burning. My ambition is to be able to cycle all the way up this hill by the end of the summer. Because I will be back this way. Most definitely.

I'm thinking back to all those cars on the motorway, speeding along on a hot summer's day. If you asked some people in those cars I think they might say that they don't have time to cycle to a farm like I am doing on this Saturday afternoon. And that may be true. They might have been driving to work, traveling to the city, visiting loved ones, dropping the kids somewhere, heading to pick up something essential since they'll be busy working all week and won't get a chance etc etc etc. Some people genuinely don't have much free time. They can't help their lives being so busy. But I wonder are there people who say they don't have time to cycle to this farm and bust a gut cycling up this hill ... but they're on the motorway right now driving to the gym 10 km away from home. People that don't have time to do what I am doing but in a few minutes they are about to sit in traffic queuing to get into the car park of a retail park, getting all hot and bothered. And maybe the tragedy is that they were only going to pick up a single item that they thought they needed but in actual fact they were just bored at home and hadn't thought the journey through. The purchase could have waited till next week when they would be going to that retail park for other things anyway. A beautiful afternoon wasted. I have definitely done that in the past!

I love combining things these days. I was cycling to see something that had been on my wish list, always a nice thing to do at the weekend. I was also picking up some yummy groceries, having some mummy time out with a quiet coffee, meeting some really nice new people and getting a very decent workout. A large dose of endorphins to make me feel so good thrown in for good measure. And, all in all, this took me an hour and a half away from home. Time well spent, I reckon.

McNally's farm is a real treat to visit. There are two units in a converted barn. A café and the farm shop. It's a very simple setup and therein lies it's beauty. I hope it stays that way. But don't be fooled, I had one of the best brewed coffee's I have tasted in the area and they take card payments. It is very well thought out.

It's an organic farm so the selection of produce for sale is whatever is in season. Everything else is ready when it's ready, as they say themselves on their website. Today there were cucumbers, mushrooms, cauliflower, a large selection of lettuces and herbs, kale, heirloom tomatoes, courgettes, fine beans etc They also sell a large selection of mostly local but all Irish products like artisan breads, handmade butter, fresh raw milk, oat milk, a selection of different flavours of delicious looking sheep ice creams, mouth watering cherries, organic yogurts, organic smoked fish and organic meat. Jams, nut butters, relishes, juice, chocolate, oils and vinegars. I found an unusual tea mix with nettles, plantain and marigold. I have been interested in trying nettle tea and plantain tea for some time. I know I could forage and find these plants for free to make my tea but I saw this product and had a little indulgent moment. (Tried it when I got home and it is delicious!).

This farm brings it's vegetable produce to farmers markets around Dublin each week and I can only guess that a lot of these other products were from their neighbouring stalls at those markets. Which makes great business sense, creating a win-win supporting environment between them. I made my purchases and filled my pannier bag. When I went outside I tried to attach my pannier bag but my bike toppled over. Before I had a chance to pick it up, a kind gentleman who had been sitting on a bench outside the cafe drinking coffee with his wife was over to me to help. I think places where good is happening attract good people. There must be good vibes humming in the air maybe.

I popped into the cafe then and got a coffee. In a compostable cup. I took a little break on a garden seat under a tree next to my bike. And placed my cup on the wooden "table". It was a glorious afternoon. Not a care in the world at this moment. A great day to be alive.

The cycle home was even faster - I had THAT hill to go down now after all. Bit of a thrill, I kept my hands hovering over or squeezing the brakes the whole way down. And saying me prayers. Think that most be one of the steepest hills in North County Dublin. Not quite as tall as Patrick's Hill in Cork but definitely reminding me of it.

It's so nice to know a place like this farm is an easy distance from our home by bike.

"An easy distance do you call it?  It is nearly <four> miles.'' says Elizabeth

"And what is <four> miles of good road? .... Yes, I call it a very easy distance.'' says Mr. Darcy

We are planning to really exploit the potential of our garden next year and grow lots of edibles but I am delighted to know that this farm is there to supplement and it is a place where we can get some stuff that we may be unable to grow ourselves e.g. mushrooms. And it is supporting a local business, keeping money in the local economy and can mean more jobs for people living in the area. And it means less supporting of needless airmiles bringing vegetables, that can be grown easily in Ireland, in from half way across the globe. My purchases are a mere drop in the ocean I realise, but I feel a little better doing the best I can.

So we have tomorrow's luxurious dinner planned now with the produce from today. After a sea swim in the morning, we'll fire up the barbecue and grill these gorgeous mushrooms and slices of the courgette which we will brush with olive oil and a little sea salt. Served in buns with mixed lettuces from our garden, some carmelised onion relish and some homemade coleslaw. A kale salad on the side. I think maybe for that we could finely chop the kale and mix it with a little of the cucumber, some toasted hazelnuts, garden peas, red onions, orange juice, some balsamic vinegar, sea salt and freshly ground pepper. And crack open an ice cold beer. It's Sunday, a day of rest and it's going to be another hot one!