Seventh day on the road (and unfortunately it was actually on the road) and my target was to at least half the 50k distance between Groomsport and Portaferry. I succeeded in covering 28k to the outskirts of Ballyhalbert. The Ards peninsula is best thought of as a very large cul-de-sac. Though not without charm and […]
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SEE HORSES
The Lagan tow-path parallels a thread of sometimes stagnant and weed choked and sometimes wide clear and fast flowing water. Having already walked from Belfast central even the OCD inclined “must walk the whole Ulster Way” voice in my head was prepared to allow me to join the path at the Queen’s bridge – appropriately […]
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READ THE SIGNS:
I take back most of what I implied about today’s leg. It was 34k long, 32 on the Ulster Way plus another 2 to my brother’s house – because, like, he too busy and important to bother his arse coming to get me (my hope is that my pretence of indignation will secure a further […]
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KNEES AND DOGS
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 […]
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SQUIRRELS AND OVER VIGILANT BOMBING
Leg 2, the Antrim Hills Way. Now this was a walk worth doing even with the slightly sore feet from yesterday’s road pounding. The Antrim Hills Way is a really lovely walk which once you have climbed out of Glenarm and got of the road almost immediately makes you want to smile. From up here […]
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I’M SUPPOSED TO WALK WHERE?
Day 1 and a “low key” send-off; just me, Oscail the dog, Fern and our friend Richard. Not even the milkman which was particularly disappointing as we had no milk and I had to hit the road without a cup of tea. Lovely day for walking, clear dry and not too warm. Ahead of me […]
Continue ReadingZOMBIES MIGHT HIKE
This time next week I will be on the road and my pursuit of sympathy and my unvoiced but vigorous quest for plausible reasons to quit will be in top gear. I am hoping I will be ready but… Last week I got a cold. My nose liquefied, my throat narrowed to the diameter of […]
Continue ReadingWINGED TORMENTORS AND HOSTEL LIFE
I recount what follows by way of early notice that should you meet me on my hike I may come across as something of a grumpy bastard, so I ask your indulgence… Empathy – they say it’s a human trait and arguably unique to ourselves (notwithstanding the likely protests of my bonkers Grandmother-in-Law who would […]
Continue ReadingITS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT MOUNTAINS.
In my last post I mentioned in passing that I had visited the Mournes wearing a rather nice shell jacket, but left the Mournes somewhat less well jacketed. I laid the blame squarely on an unnamed dishonest hill walker but of course there could be other explanations. For example, the jacket might have been left […]
Continue ReadingA LESSON IN FORTITUDE
4 days hard hiking in the Mournes, covering a minimum 50 miles over rough ground carrying food and fuel to camp-out for three nights. Physically exhausting and mentally draining: and probably even more so for the 4 teenage girl-guides who were actually doing it – I was just watching. Not “watching” in a binoculars and […]
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