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My first stop is in Ireland so I'm on the boat from Stranraer to Belfast
The Stena Navigator is my boat.
It's not a bad day to travel so I'm on the deck a lot.This rope bridge at Finnarts Bay is a bit dicey,I know.
After a reasonably comfortable drive from Belfast I get to the east of Upper Lough Erne and pitch my tent up at the Mullynascarthy-Caravan-Park-Lisnaskea .I'll spend my first night under canvas and explore a little.
Upper Lough Erne is very popular with the boating fraternity and I take a look around Carrybridge as well as sampling good food and drink at the Carrybridge Hotel.
There's some lovely flowers in the garden.
It rained throughout the night,but my tent didn't leak and I slept well.
Next day it's on to the Blacklion/Belcoo area on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.I've enough Sterling and Euros for my needs either side of the border,but generally either currency is accepatable both sides along the border towns and villages.
Some of the good folk I'm visiting.
Six week old Agnes Helen is the star of the show
Church ruins at Thornhill
Evening view from Thornhill.
Sunset at Kiltaglassan on Lough Macnean Upper
CUILCAGH
Onto another day and I'm heading out on my pilgrimage to climb to the 'Monument' atop Cuilcagh Mountain.
Cuilcagh isn't a particularly high mountain at 2182 ft (665m),it's the 165th highest in the whole of Ireland but the highest in both Fermanagh and County Cavan.
I've had a few tasty trout from this pool over the years.
Gaining a little height I'm looking over the Glangevlin community.
Homesteads are scattered far and wide.
Above me the mist rolls in,it's not a great hill climbing day.
Cuilcagh's vegetation is rich in variety and I took the following pictures at various elevations on my climb starting with the lowest.
Some strange creature coming out of the mist ? No,someone's started to build a new cairn.
A misty summit.
High winds mean I've a problem getting a self portrait.
The camera stayed still on the 4th attempt.
At one time it was only the sheep farmers who climbed Cuilcagh.It's now appearing on many walking routes and brochures.Now as I look around I see empty drink cans,plastic bags and food wrappers stuffed into the rocks.It's saddening.
Is this an alternative way into the Marble Arch Caves
Maybe I'll investigate next time I'm up.
As I begin my descent,I come across a youth club climbing to the summit.
In forty years of climbing Cuilcagh either by myself or in a family group this is the first time I've ever encountered another group.I hope you took your litter away guys.
It begins to clear up a little as I descend.There are supposed to be 365 stretches of water in County Cavan.
Fermanagh has Upper and Lower Lough Erne.
I can now see much of it.
Later I get this panorama of Glangevlin and Cuilcagh from Curraghglass
The above panorama can also be viewed wide or full screen on Panogio
My next post will see me at Rosslare Harbour.
Sounds and looks a wonderful trip. Your point about litter is very valid why can people not just take it home with them.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a nice day out. While the visibility gets poor in the mist, there is some magic in those misty pictures!
ReplyDeleteWhile I try be broad-minded and understand different kinds of living (and hiking), littering is something I don't understand. No-one enjoys empty drink cans or food wrappers around. If had the strength to carry them full into the nature, you surely can take them home as well?
Loved the mist coming off the hillside in your evening view from Thornhill.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures from Cuilcagh too (carefully avoiding the rubbish - it's really not good). You can just feel what it's like to be up the hill Jim.
Cheers Sandy,the evening misty mountain was magical.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gordon and Maria,It really doesn't make any sense to throw away rubbish in places like this.If it is walking groups that are doing it then their leaders need some more education.
ReplyDeleteThe grave in front of the Thornhill Church ruins is my grandparents family plot! Small world...they emigrated to Massachusettes 50 odd years ago but were from Black Lion. We're going in December and I was trying to find the name of the church and found your blog. Can't wait to be there in person myself.
ReplyDeleteThe gravestone in front of the Thornhill Church ruins is my grandparent's family plot! Small world...I was searching for the name of that church and found your blog. We are going in December, can't wait to be there in person myself.
ReplyDelete