Walking Club
Ballyhoura Bears Walks 11th July 2010
Once again we had five walks scheduled on our calendar last week. However Thursday and Saturday turned out to be very wet and this inevitably resulted in reduced numbers turning up for these walks.
Jim Flynn took charge of the Thursday evening walk from Ballinvreena. The evening was damp and the views were restricted, but the spirits of those that turned up were not dampened. As usual Jim sprinkled this walk with nuggets of his knowledge of the locality. This is one of the beauties of the Thursday evening walks – they are taken at a gentle pace with frequent stops to absorb the lore of the locality. Jim achieved this at his ease!
Saturday’s beginners walk suffered from the weather also. Nonetheless we took in a nice loop walk at Greenwood. This brought us in under Blackrock where the Peregrines nest. Their shrill warning call of our presence to their mates was eerie through the cloud and mist that hung over the rock. We relieved their angst by proceeding on towards Toor and back to the start at Greenwood. If we were wet, we were also well satisfied with this couple of hours of gentle exercise.
We had three walks on the calendar for Sunday. By now the weather had improved considerably. Denis Bates held a skills walk on the Galtys. Departing from Cush Car Park this walk took us on to the Northern slopes of the Galtys. Denis introduced these skills days last autumn with the purpose of improving on members’ leadership skills on the mountains. It is evident that this purpose is being achieved, and this gives the club and its members a lot of confidence in the improved quality of the leadership that the walks leaders provide. Denis is to be congratulated for all of the work of preparation that he has put into these skills days.
Willie O’Rourke took the “B” walk from Mount Russell. We have few leaders who prepare their walks as carefully as Willie does. Thirteen of us turned up on a glorious morning. The pace was kind as we headed on towards the mast. “It is an ill wind etc…” The wet weather of the previous few days had the effect of creating a lush green carpet of grass and heather all around of us, interspersed with the vivid colours of the flora. Wet weather seems to have this effect of bringing colours into sharp relief, and we were the beneficiaries of this on Sunday. We had a leader who “minds” all of his walkers, and who adjusts the pace to accommodate everyone. This was how it was on Sunday, bringing us through these northern slopes of the Ballyhouras. All too soon ( although we were out for almost four hours) we were back at our cars after a wonderful day out.
There was a mouth-watering walk in prospect for our “A” walk on Sunday. Pat Hevenor planned a walk on The Burren departing from Fanore Beach Car Park. Seventeen of us made the journey to northwest Clare on a day that was forecasted to remain dry and bright. The forecast was accurate, although there was plenty evidence of less clement weather out to sea. Departing the beach we headed north along the road until we reached the path at Murrough that was to bring us to Cathair Dhúin Irgus. Gradually the views that were to accompany us all day were opening up before us. We were compelled to stop a while at this fort that is perched above Black Head to absorb the vast expanse of Galway Bay and the backdrop of the Twelve Pins of Connemara in the background. It is said that Irgus was a contemporary of Queen Maedbh of Connaught. Our journey was to take us by Dobhach Bhrainín to Gleninagh Mountain where we stopped for our lunch break. Throughout our crossing of this beautiful section of the Burren we were constantly greeted by the abundance of delicate flora that is unique to here, growing merrily our of the most rugged terrain – something of a mystery. Our lunch stop at Gleninagh was picturesque with the sun bathing us almost into laziness. There was more to see, however, so off with us along the mass path to Formoyle and along the Green Road that provides you with the most exquisite views out to The Arran Islands. Joining the Bothar Leaca our route took us down to the coast road and back to the Car Park at Fanore. For some the day was not yet over – there was a swim to be enjoyed from the beach and to provide refreshment before making the journey home. A day in the Burren is to be recommended always – when Pat Hevenor is in charge it is a day not to be missed. Well-done Pat.
On Thursday evening Joan Caulfield – 087 9478276 – will lead a walk from Lisvarrinane starting at 7.30 p m. The Saturday beginners walk will assemble, as usual, at 12.m d at Ardpatrick – contact Robin Lee 087 6385290. Denis Bates – 086 8047570 - will lead a moderate “A” walk from Kings Yard in the Galtys at 10.00 a m and Liz Enright – 087 2873937 – will lead a “B” walk from Kings Yard also at 11.00 a m.
Jim Flynn took charge of the Thursday evening walk from Ballinvreena. The evening was damp and the views were restricted, but the spirits of those that turned up were not dampened. As usual Jim sprinkled this walk with nuggets of his knowledge of the locality. This is one of the beauties of the Thursday evening walks – they are taken at a gentle pace with frequent stops to absorb the lore of the locality. Jim achieved this at his ease!
Saturday’s beginners walk suffered from the weather also. Nonetheless we took in a nice loop walk at Greenwood. This brought us in under Blackrock where the Peregrines nest. Their shrill warning call of our presence to their mates was eerie through the cloud and mist that hung over the rock. We relieved their angst by proceeding on towards Toor and back to the start at Greenwood. If we were wet, we were also well satisfied with this couple of hours of gentle exercise.
We had three walks on the calendar for Sunday. By now the weather had improved considerably. Denis Bates held a skills walk on the Galtys. Departing from Cush Car Park this walk took us on to the Northern slopes of the Galtys. Denis introduced these skills days last autumn with the purpose of improving on members’ leadership skills on the mountains. It is evident that this purpose is being achieved, and this gives the club and its members a lot of confidence in the improved quality of the leadership that the walks leaders provide. Denis is to be congratulated for all of the work of preparation that he has put into these skills days.
Willie O’Rourke took the “B” walk from Mount Russell. We have few leaders who prepare their walks as carefully as Willie does. Thirteen of us turned up on a glorious morning. The pace was kind as we headed on towards the mast. “It is an ill wind etc…” The wet weather of the previous few days had the effect of creating a lush green carpet of grass and heather all around of us, interspersed with the vivid colours of the flora. Wet weather seems to have this effect of bringing colours into sharp relief, and we were the beneficiaries of this on Sunday. We had a leader who “minds” all of his walkers, and who adjusts the pace to accommodate everyone. This was how it was on Sunday, bringing us through these northern slopes of the Ballyhouras. All too soon ( although we were out for almost four hours) we were back at our cars after a wonderful day out.
There was a mouth-watering walk in prospect for our “A” walk on Sunday. Pat Hevenor planned a walk on The Burren departing from Fanore Beach Car Park. Seventeen of us made the journey to northwest Clare on a day that was forecasted to remain dry and bright. The forecast was accurate, although there was plenty evidence of less clement weather out to sea. Departing the beach we headed north along the road until we reached the path at Murrough that was to bring us to Cathair Dhúin Irgus. Gradually the views that were to accompany us all day were opening up before us. We were compelled to stop a while at this fort that is perched above Black Head to absorb the vast expanse of Galway Bay and the backdrop of the Twelve Pins of Connemara in the background. It is said that Irgus was a contemporary of Queen Maedbh of Connaught. Our journey was to take us by Dobhach Bhrainín to Gleninagh Mountain where we stopped for our lunch break. Throughout our crossing of this beautiful section of the Burren we were constantly greeted by the abundance of delicate flora that is unique to here, growing merrily our of the most rugged terrain – something of a mystery. Our lunch stop at Gleninagh was picturesque with the sun bathing us almost into laziness. There was more to see, however, so off with us along the mass path to Formoyle and along the Green Road that provides you with the most exquisite views out to The Arran Islands. Joining the Bothar Leaca our route took us down to the coast road and back to the Car Park at Fanore. For some the day was not yet over – there was a swim to be enjoyed from the beach and to provide refreshment before making the journey home. A day in the Burren is to be recommended always – when Pat Hevenor is in charge it is a day not to be missed. Well-done Pat.
On Thursday evening Joan Caulfield – 087 9478276 – will lead a walk from Lisvarrinane starting at 7.30 p m. The Saturday beginners walk will assemble, as usual, at 12.m d at Ardpatrick – contact Robin Lee 087 6385290. Denis Bates – 086 8047570 - will lead a moderate “A” walk from Kings Yard in the Galtys at 10.00 a m and Liz Enright – 087 2873937 – will lead a “B” walk from Kings Yard also at 11.00 a m.
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