Day 5: Croom to Cratloe

Deep Heat. Bandages. Vaseline. Allevyn. Plasters. Gone.

Actually, it wasn't that efficient a departure. There was a serious Talk to be had the previous night, given the state that four days on the Mission has left us in. We recognised that we can't go at the same pace for another two weeks without losing more people. Also, the bags are an absolute deal-breaker - going more than, say, 30k with rucksacks leads to serious injury and leaves one unable to function the next day.

That said, we do need to be done by Sunday 28th at the latest, as people have various commitments, so although we do have a couple of days to play with there's not that much scope for slackening off. Walking Ireland is going to involve a certain amount of hardship, after all. So we decided to take 3 days to get to Galway rather than 2, try to shave a few k off some of the latter stages and inveigle people into coming down to transport our bags no matter what crazy promises we have to make.

That meant we could take an easy Day 5 - a mere 30k to Cratloe in south Clare, leaving at a decadently belated 11am. We were back to eight with the return of Fitzy, and without bags, so it should have been an easy jaunt. Pace was good as far as Patrickswell, and from there on in the scenery changed to suburban and then urban as we entered the outskirts of Limerick city. Unfortunately, the loss of idyllic rural pastures coincided with a slight souring of the mood. While the shorter distance should have led to higher morale, the atmosphere went south during the afternoon, with even Barry coming close to losing his famous cool. This can, perhaps, be attributed to the loss of rhythm arising out of new surroundings and a closer destination. Breaks proliferated as every pause to check directions or replenish the pharmaceutical supply was taken as the signal for a nice sit down.

In fairness, everyone was nursing their fair share of niggling aches and strains, and eventually these took their tool. As we struggled along the N18 and left Limerick behind - pausing to fake happiness for a photo at the "Welcome to County Clare" sign - the big man himself, Sam Hodgins, finally succumbed to his now massively swollen ankle and retired to a handy petrol station for a hit of Nurofen and his trusty iPod. The seven survivors trudged on, depressed, but spirits did rise as we approached the turn-off to Cratloe and composed a song in Smodge's honour, to the tune of Kelly Clarkson's "Since You've Been Gone".

Still, with Laura awaiting us in Galway, Aoife scheduled to take on her blisters once more tomorrow and Sam plotting a return on Day 6 or 7, the team remains united. With two counties down and offers of help pouring in, the assault on Galway can begin in earnest tomorrow.

Distance Day 5: 30k approx

Theme of the Day: Earnest strategic discussions

Word of the Day: "Pharmacy"