Leg 36, last leg of my Ulster Way hike. 29K from the outskirts of Ballycastle to my starting point in Glenariff. My friend John dropped me at my Breen Wood start point on his way to spend the morning in the forest – the presence of a chain saw on the back seat of his car made me think there might be a little less forest at the end of the day than there was at the start…
Knocklayd mountain was capped with its first half-hearted skiff of snow but there was as yet no rain. I walked the first 10k alone which I don’t mind, though I do miss a second voice to fill in the “whim-a-way, whim-a-way, whim-a-way” backing track to my falsetto rendering of “In the jungle the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight”. I find that most farm and wild animals, unlike humans, are pretty indulgent of my singing – though they will scatter if they see me attempt my skipping backpacker dad-dance routine. However, my singing or my dancing will send most domestic dogs into a frenzy of anxiety.
A series of tree falls a year or so ago have blocked the official Ulster Way route just as you approach the site of McQuillan’s grave, the obstacle is more awkward than it seems and I’m minded to perhaps mention this to my chain saw wielding friend John… Following a short road section I was joined by my friends Carrie, Darryl and Kat at the base of Slieveanora Hill. They brought the rain but, as always, enough good cheer to lower the hills and shorten the roads ahead. Finishing the hike was always going to be good but I am very glad that I end on this very familiar Moyle Way portion of the Ulster Way; full of winding streams, leaf litter tracks vanishing into woods, waterfalls, squirming tree roots and moss bearded ancient trees. Whatever the weather it’s hard not to want to both advertise this sort of charm to the world but at the same time keep the secret of it to yourself. I know where my own sympathies lie; this woodland walk can be found some 5 miles south east of Omagh town!
We were joined by some family and friends a couple of kilometres from the end and they walked us down to the Laragh Lodge where even more were waiting (lazy bastards!). We squelched the last kilometre of the official Ulster Way and then with little ceremony traversed the few hundred meters to my home. Extended family and friends were there as was tea, scones and cake and in that true Irish fashion once that was consumed the table could b cleared for a hot dinner for all 20. I could not have wished for a nicer end to my venture.
For me life can now start to return to some more usual pattern, there is a backlog of chores to be done, there is the Glens Red Squirrel Group table quiz on 27th Nov to be written, planning for various DofE groups must be started etc. This sort of predictable routine may not churn up much adrenalin but I am reminded that the families of those who suffer from Huntington’s disease would look with envy on such a stress free, pain free, anxiety free, existence. Supporters among you have donated over £2300 and that has got to be worth the 4 tow nails one pair of boots this has cost me.
I want to finish this series of blog meanderings with a set of thank yous. A list of the names of all of those who helped me complete this hike would be both long and make very poor reading, even for those whose name might appear, but I do not in good conscience believe that a generic anonymous “thanks” will do justice to those whose efforts of support have made a critical contribution to my completing the challenge. Certainly the Huntington’s Disease Association of Northern Ireland and all of you who made donations to that cause deserve my special thanks. Brothers, sisters and friends have fed, ferryed and housed me (and those with the skills also dressed wounds) – and I know I made a very poor house guest as I tramped around the country for which I apologise. Those who joined me for sections helped me more than I was able to articulate at the time – Kat, Darryl, Carrie, Gerard, Karn, Rozzy and Oscail the dog. Of course, my biggest debt is to my wife Fern who never once voiced anything other than support and encouragement but who has had to carry the burden of her job, my dog, our house and a series of spirit-breaking domestic catastrophes over the past two months. I have no idea how to thank her sufficiently, though I begin to think she herself may have some ideas in that direction as I have noticed an increasing number of Amazon visits in the browser history, and there is talk of allotment digging…
Lastly, thank you for reading my series of blog postings and especially to those of you who liked or commented – your encouragement was very much appreciated. Now, the great wall of China….
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