Most of today’s short 12k journey was along the tarmac roads to the east of Ballyclare. Even though there was fog everywhere else along the Antrim coast this morning the valley below Ballybooley forest was bathed in bright sunshine – that or an irridesent glow from the 50 acre Kilwaughter chemical company and quarry site – only time and a survey of cancer incidence will tell which.
Frankly the roads were boring, hard on the feet and containing only either well spaced double-garaged houses with large picture windows, billiard table lawns and electric gates or the sort of farm dwellings that you fear house old toothless bachelors and one-eyed cats. A small but significant number also housed domestic or farm dogs who lurked behind pillars or larger garden gnomes and at the last moment charged out in a barking frenzy. If they were looking for a reaction they generally hit the jackpot with me, my practice of always carrying spare socks may have to extend to other items of underwear. I had Oscail with me for today’s walk – you can see her in the attached clip – she clearly though my reaction was very entertaining, the photo catches her laughing at my expense.
I’m suffering a bit from tendinitis in one knee, brought on by my first day’s long tarmac hike. But I’m hoping that the miracle of prescription drugs, ice packs, and my very good friend’s particular brand of “pull yourself together, you pussy” nursing will get me through. I was planning to stop at Ballynure but I pressed on for a few kilometres to Straid. Why with an aching knee would I do any additional distance? Well basically to make some inroad to tomorrow’s task which will be 30k of relentless pavement pounding through the less than scenic industrial and maritime heartland of Belfast (hard to explain how Belfast endured nearly 30 years to civil strife and still no-one though to blow-up some of the uglier portions of the docks).
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