May 2007
May 20th Walk, Eagle Mountain
Saturday May 2007 11:30 AM
Our annual
walk with the Dublin hiking group was a great success
by all accounts, unfortunately I couldn't make it.
Here's a report, with a bit of interesting history,
from Colin (I like to picture him reading to me
Jackanory-style as I read his reports, so gather
around, children)…
"After a week of rather unsettled weather, it was with some relief that Sunday 20th May dawned with sunshine and a light breeze with a forecast of the occasional shower, especially since this was our annual meeting with the Dublin group. We've agreed that we will take it turn about to organise this walk, starting with us planning this year’s walk. As we approached Temple, we caught our first glimpse of the Mournes; clear of cloud! A good day’s walking was promised.
Thirty four of us met below the eastern end of Pigeon Rock to start our walk up the quarry track, which in times past had served the tiny granite quarries doted over the mountainside. These hills would have been ringing from the hammering and shaping of stones by the stonemasons to feed the demand for granite sets for the streets of cities such as Belfast and Liverpool. These days it's cheaper to import the granite from China!
We crossed over the mountainside, where the tracks had petered out, to take in the view below of the Attical Valley, dominated by Eagle Mountain with its gullies, and the conical Slievemoughanmore. We gathered down by the stile before commencing the gradual climb to summit of Eagle Mountain. Up the eastern flank of the mountain we climbed, following the now faint trace of yet another quarry track (testament to the Mournes’ industrial past). We stopped for a break at the top of this track, sitting on comfortable flat boulders while taking in the views of the coastal plain and Slieves Muck and Binian and Wee Binian nestling at the southern foot of its parent. It was so pleasant, and the company so good, we could have stayed there all day! But onwards we climbed, past the heads of the gullies with their interesting rock formations, until it was time to rest again for lunch in another sheltered spot, this time with more accommodating rocks. More craic, great cookies from the Dubliners [oh no - did Ken let the side down? IanP] and a spectacular view of the High Mournes.
Michael from Dublin agreed to lead a splinter group, so we left them to climb to the top of Eagle just as a shower was looming. Eagle has great views with Meelbeg and Bernagh in the distance, and to the north, over Batt’s Wall, Pierce's Castle, Hen mountain and Cock Mountain with Lough Neagh and the Sperrins in the far distance. We started the steep descent into Windy Gap in rain and hailstones along Batt’s Wall, built by Narcissus Batt of Purdysburn, a wealthy banker and entrepreneur, who had bought the Leitrim Estate in 1834. The wall was probably constructed during the famine years, and is in remarkable repair considering that it was built some 80 years before the Mourne Wall was completed. It joins the Mourne Wall at the top of Muck.
On reaching Windy Gap, the sun came out again and we started the steep climb to the top of Slievemoughanmore, resting half way up to watch the splinter group descending Eagle. They were to turn down the Attical Valley to take a shorter and gentler way back. As we ascended this mountain, the warmth of the sun on the wet vegetation created a light mist blown across the mountainside by the light breeze. We rested for another photo shoot at the top of Slievemoughanmore before descending to the last col at the foot of Pigeon Rock Mountain. Pigeon Rock was an easy mountain to climb after the others. As we reached the top, we said farewell to Batt’s Wall to descend, rather quickly, to the Yellow Water River and back to the cars, expecting the B group to be waiting for us. 30 minutes went past before we saw figures at the top of the quarry track.
A good day’s walking for all with varied and spectacular views, and of course, great craic!"
"After a week of rather unsettled weather, it was with some relief that Sunday 20th May dawned with sunshine and a light breeze with a forecast of the occasional shower, especially since this was our annual meeting with the Dublin group. We've agreed that we will take it turn about to organise this walk, starting with us planning this year’s walk. As we approached Temple, we caught our first glimpse of the Mournes; clear of cloud! A good day’s walking was promised.
Thirty four of us met below the eastern end of Pigeon Rock to start our walk up the quarry track, which in times past had served the tiny granite quarries doted over the mountainside. These hills would have been ringing from the hammering and shaping of stones by the stonemasons to feed the demand for granite sets for the streets of cities such as Belfast and Liverpool. These days it's cheaper to import the granite from China!
We crossed over the mountainside, where the tracks had petered out, to take in the view below of the Attical Valley, dominated by Eagle Mountain with its gullies, and the conical Slievemoughanmore. We gathered down by the stile before commencing the gradual climb to summit of Eagle Mountain. Up the eastern flank of the mountain we climbed, following the now faint trace of yet another quarry track (testament to the Mournes’ industrial past). We stopped for a break at the top of this track, sitting on comfortable flat boulders while taking in the views of the coastal plain and Slieves Muck and Binian and Wee Binian nestling at the southern foot of its parent. It was so pleasant, and the company so good, we could have stayed there all day! But onwards we climbed, past the heads of the gullies with their interesting rock formations, until it was time to rest again for lunch in another sheltered spot, this time with more accommodating rocks. More craic, great cookies from the Dubliners [oh no - did Ken let the side down? IanP] and a spectacular view of the High Mournes.
Michael from Dublin agreed to lead a splinter group, so we left them to climb to the top of Eagle just as a shower was looming. Eagle has great views with Meelbeg and Bernagh in the distance, and to the north, over Batt’s Wall, Pierce's Castle, Hen mountain and Cock Mountain with Lough Neagh and the Sperrins in the far distance. We started the steep descent into Windy Gap in rain and hailstones along Batt’s Wall, built by Narcissus Batt of Purdysburn, a wealthy banker and entrepreneur, who had bought the Leitrim Estate in 1834. The wall was probably constructed during the famine years, and is in remarkable repair considering that it was built some 80 years before the Mourne Wall was completed. It joins the Mourne Wall at the top of Muck.
On reaching Windy Gap, the sun came out again and we started the steep climb to the top of Slievemoughanmore, resting half way up to watch the splinter group descending Eagle. They were to turn down the Attical Valley to take a shorter and gentler way back. As we ascended this mountain, the warmth of the sun on the wet vegetation created a light mist blown across the mountainside by the light breeze. We rested for another photo shoot at the top of Slievemoughanmore before descending to the last col at the foot of Pigeon Rock Mountain. Pigeon Rock was an easy mountain to climb after the others. As we reached the top, we said farewell to Batt’s Wall to descend, rather quickly, to the Yellow Water River and back to the cars, expecting the B group to be waiting for us. 30 minutes went past before we saw figures at the top of the quarry track.
A good day’s walking for all with varied and spectacular views, and of course, great craic!"
Torrs Walk, April 29th 2007
Friday May 2007 07:36 PM
Apologies for
not publishing this sooner, Colin! You can punish me
next time you see me! Here's your walk report for
April 29th:
"Where else would you see all the Mournes torrs, lakes and reservoirs? Why from that slumbering great dinosaur of a mountain, Slieve Binnian! And a brilliant day we had of it too, though our number was small as this alternative walk was arranged at the last minute.
We set off from Carrick Little on a sunny day with last wispy remnants of cloud lifting off the high peaks, promising us great vistas at every turn of the head. At Carrick Big, we left the track up the side of Annalong Wood, to climb the Eastern flank of Binnian, diverting half way up along the shelf which accomodates Binnian Lough, and taking in our first views of the torrs on Bernagh. Past the giant erratic, along the peaceful and sheltered Binnian Lough, a reminder of the last ice age, we climbed towards the North Torr, pausing to admire views of the Annalong valley and its sentinals watching over it, great mountains like Cove, Beg and Rocky, watched over by their big brothers, Donard and Commedagh.
It was getting colder all the time with a persistant easterly breeze. On reaching the Noth Torr, we had our lunch, sheltering behind a rock on top or the Torr, and as we munched, we took in the splendour of Slieve Crom Reservoir and the majestic outcrops on Bernagh. This is one of the most beautiful places to be in these mountains! Once refuelled, we made the ascent to the Summit Torr past the Back Castles, stopping to admire the beauty all around us, and to take photographs.
We found a sheltered spot to sunbathe and admire the Silent Valley far below us. Then on to the Summit Torr to view the next leg of our walk, the descent of the steep southern face of the mountain to that gem of mountain, Wee Binnian. Past the South Torrs and down this face of the mountain requires patience and time. Then the speedy ascent of Wee Binnian with its torrs to take in views of the steep slope we had descended, and across the valley, Lough Shannagh, and Doan which looks more at home in a cowboy film! A chance for more photographs before descending to the foot of mother Binnian, and the walk along the old quarry tracks to Carrick Big.
After the excitement of the scenary, this was bread and butter walking. We imagined, as we passed the quarries and great granite rocks abandoned and littering the mountainside, the men of Kilkeel and Annalong hammering the rocks into shape for use in paving the streets of Belfast and Liverpool. I could hear the echo of their hammers as they split the rocks with plug and feather. We arrived back at Carrick Little, tired but satisfied with such a wonderful day's walk."
"Where else would you see all the Mournes torrs, lakes and reservoirs? Why from that slumbering great dinosaur of a mountain, Slieve Binnian! And a brilliant day we had of it too, though our number was small as this alternative walk was arranged at the last minute.
We set off from Carrick Little on a sunny day with last wispy remnants of cloud lifting off the high peaks, promising us great vistas at every turn of the head. At Carrick Big, we left the track up the side of Annalong Wood, to climb the Eastern flank of Binnian, diverting half way up along the shelf which accomodates Binnian Lough, and taking in our first views of the torrs on Bernagh. Past the giant erratic, along the peaceful and sheltered Binnian Lough, a reminder of the last ice age, we climbed towards the North Torr, pausing to admire views of the Annalong valley and its sentinals watching over it, great mountains like Cove, Beg and Rocky, watched over by their big brothers, Donard and Commedagh.
It was getting colder all the time with a persistant easterly breeze. On reaching the Noth Torr, we had our lunch, sheltering behind a rock on top or the Torr, and as we munched, we took in the splendour of Slieve Crom Reservoir and the majestic outcrops on Bernagh. This is one of the most beautiful places to be in these mountains! Once refuelled, we made the ascent to the Summit Torr past the Back Castles, stopping to admire the beauty all around us, and to take photographs.
We found a sheltered spot to sunbathe and admire the Silent Valley far below us. Then on to the Summit Torr to view the next leg of our walk, the descent of the steep southern face of the mountain to that gem of mountain, Wee Binnian. Past the South Torrs and down this face of the mountain requires patience and time. Then the speedy ascent of Wee Binnian with its torrs to take in views of the steep slope we had descended, and across the valley, Lough Shannagh, and Doan which looks more at home in a cowboy film! A chance for more photographs before descending to the foot of mother Binnian, and the walk along the old quarry tracks to Carrick Big.
After the excitement of the scenary, this was bread and butter walking. We imagined, as we passed the quarries and great granite rocks abandoned and littering the mountainside, the men of Kilkeel and Annalong hammering the rocks into shape for use in paving the streets of Belfast and Liverpool. I could hear the echo of their hammers as they split the rocks with plug and feather. We arrived back at Carrick Little, tired but satisfied with such a wonderful day's walk."
Belfast City Marathon
Wednesday May 2007 10:15 PM
Thanks to
Colin for this:
"Well, that's our first Belfast Marathon over! Not a bad performance for a first attempt: 3hrs 54mins 55secs with room for improvement next year. It really is great fun with a marvellous atmosphere out on the streets and maybe we could recruit early for next year and field 2 teams! David, Neil, Colin and S met about 6 weeks ago to organise our entry. First big question was "what do we call ourselves", so David lifted the newspaper to pick out the first word that took his notice. Blackstone:No! Chaos: OH YES! That just about describes us! There had to be 5 of us, and when David reported a hip injury, we had to recruit an extra runner (Mark had already indicated he was participating). Along came David's friend Kieran to take his place.
Monday 7th May dawned, with ideal running conditions but thunder and attendant rain forecast for later. The start was at 9am at the City Hall: no room for gay time here! No turning up late! Mark did the first leg, approx 6 miles which took him up to Tillysburn, a bit boring that. Colin was waiting eagerly at Bridge End to run 3.5 miles through the city into West and North Belfast through the peaceline, cheered by crowds standing in the streets and at their front doors: how good it is to run with such support from the public!
At Hillview Rd, Colin handed over to Kieran for his 7.1mile run to Gideon's Green at Newtownabbey, and Neil then ran back 5.3 miles into Belfast, changing over to S at Corporation Square. The sun was shining now for S's 4.3 mile run along the Lagan to Ormeau Bridge, up the Ormeau Rd to the roundabout at the top and down the long straight of Ravenhill Rd into the finish at Ormeau Park. The weather forecast was entirely accurate; S was running down the Ravenhill Rd when the heavens opened with the a squally wind buffeting him. The rest of us were trying to reach him at the finish, but with the traffic and the weather conditions, but he got there first! S was wearing the chip to record the finishing time.
We finished 511th out of 1632 teams. S says: "anything under 4 hours is apparently very good; we all did a good job. Roll on next year!"
"Well, that's our first Belfast Marathon over! Not a bad performance for a first attempt: 3hrs 54mins 55secs with room for improvement next year. It really is great fun with a marvellous atmosphere out on the streets and maybe we could recruit early for next year and field 2 teams! David, Neil, Colin and S met about 6 weeks ago to organise our entry. First big question was "what do we call ourselves", so David lifted the newspaper to pick out the first word that took his notice. Blackstone:No! Chaos: OH YES! That just about describes us! There had to be 5 of us, and when David reported a hip injury, we had to recruit an extra runner (Mark had already indicated he was participating). Along came David's friend Kieran to take his place.
Monday 7th May dawned, with ideal running conditions but thunder and attendant rain forecast for later. The start was at 9am at the City Hall: no room for gay time here! No turning up late! Mark did the first leg, approx 6 miles which took him up to Tillysburn, a bit boring that. Colin was waiting eagerly at Bridge End to run 3.5 miles through the city into West and North Belfast through the peaceline, cheered by crowds standing in the streets and at their front doors: how good it is to run with such support from the public!
At Hillview Rd, Colin handed over to Kieran for his 7.1mile run to Gideon's Green at Newtownabbey, and Neil then ran back 5.3 miles into Belfast, changing over to S at Corporation Square. The sun was shining now for S's 4.3 mile run along the Lagan to Ormeau Bridge, up the Ormeau Rd to the roundabout at the top and down the long straight of Ravenhill Rd into the finish at Ormeau Park. The weather forecast was entirely accurate; S was running down the Ravenhill Rd when the heavens opened with the a squally wind buffeting him. The rest of us were trying to reach him at the finish, but with the traffic and the weather conditions, but he got there first! S was wearing the chip to record the finishing time.
We finished 511th out of 1632 teams. S says: "anything under 4 hours is apparently very good; we all did a good job. Roll on next year!"