March 27 2011 Walk Report

It is a measure of the increase in the popularity of walking as a pastime that the numbers turning up to our organized walks is increasing weekly. The last of the “dark” Thursday evening walks is behind us for a while now, with the onset of the long evenings. These evening walks are proving to be more and more popular as the weeks go by. Last Thursday was no exception as Declan Clancy led a large group of enthusiastic walkers onto the Ballyhouras for a lively two hour walk. The beauty of starting off from Glenosheen is that it provides a multitude of options to accommodate the participants or the conditions prevailing. There is a difference between these shorter walks and the longer weekend “A” or “B” walks; it is the leisure that permeates the Thursday evening and Saturday Beginners walks. The chat and the banter is part and parcel of these walks and if there is a difficult spot to be overcome on these walks, usually it is over and done with before anyone realises.

The Beginners walk on Saturday centred around Glenanaar. For some of the nineteen present this was a first trip to that part of the Ballyhouras.  It was shining on Saturday. The serenity of the Mass Rock, the business of the birdlife nesting, the rivers in spate, the wood anemones heralding the onset of the Summer months, the bluebells beginning to burst forth all graced by warm sunshine put us all in the best of humour as we tripped along. Liz Enright was her capable self in assessing the pace that suited all, and in leading this walk with interesting ditties to regale us.

Anyone that is interested in taking part in the Thursday evening  walks should keep an eye on these notes from week to week for the starting points of these walks between this and the end of September, or else log on to the Bears website www.ballyhourabears.com . For the Saturday Beginners walks they will continue each Saturday (except Bank Holiday weekends) at 12 noon from Ardpatrick Church. There is no need to book a place and there is no charge – just turn up and off we go.

To pastures new this week, Ardmore, Co.Waterford and who better to lead us than Cyril Morley. Cyril is renowned for bringing the Club to view the delights of west Cork; trips associated with scones and fine weather. Who would have thought that he could pull off fine weather for another of his walks in late March, but so it was to be.

42 Bears and former ESB colleagues of Cyril’s gathered at the seafront at 11am, the lost hour assisted by the starting time. A haze had settled over the sea but didn’t in any way detract from the freshness of the sea breeze or the smell of the seaweed. Amongst the Bears were old friends not seen since last summer and new recruits hoping to sign up, none were disappointed  by the walk so carefully researched by Cyril and at all times ably assisted by Cyril’s friend Tom. Departing the seafront we were reminded that it wasn’t a race but the pace was lively as we made our way up the beach towards a caravan park. The park was virtually empty but we made an impressive sight as the crowd started to stretch out. Turning left out of the park we adhered to the rules of the road to the surprise of other road users by keeping to the left of the road. With the headland to our left and admiring the many fine holiday homes we made our way for 3 miles on road to another strand, Whitehead Bay, where we availed of an early lunch, a welcome event for those who had breakfasted early. There were few other occupants on the beach as we walked firstly along the right of the Bay as far as the tide allowed and then returned to walk the left hand side before regaining the road. Our aim was now the High Tower, the finest of its kind In Ireland and we were tested as the road rises steeply to the Tower. But the best was yet to come, leaving the Tower behind us and armed with directions from Tom we commenced the Cliff Walk, a marked walkway, wide enough for two way traffic yet maintaining impressive views of the Waterford Coastline as far as the eye could see. This walkway was cleverly constructed to afford users safety yet ensuring a oneness with the sea. As we made our way to the Castle at the top of the cliff, similar in ways to O’Brien’s Castle at Ballybunion, lo and behold we met yet another Bear, one who maintains a dual residence in Ardmore. We were envious indeed at his ability to take in this route as part of his daily exercise regime and he returned with us to the seafront where nobody was in any hurry to depart, some settling down for a picnic, others happy to continue the chat that had accompanied the large bunch of walkers on this fine day. Friendships reformed and acquaintances renewed we vowed, one and all, to return to Ardmore. We are extremely grateful to Cyril for his continued inventiveness with walks and to Tom also who allows us to walk, unencumbered when required yet ever vigilant of walker’s needs. Whoever would have thought that our walk’s calendar so early in the year would feature a coastal walk, with not one but two forays on beaches and all the times our senses were assaulted by the sea air, the pounding waves and the wild garlic that flanked the sides of the Cliff Walk.

Meanwhile Pat Hevenor assembled a group of sixteen enthusiasts for a stiff “A” walk on the Galtys. We took off from Cush Car Park and headed on for Fearbreaga. While the forecast was that we were to be in sunshine for the day this did not turn out to be the case until later on. Nonetheless the conditions were acceptable, and while there was a lot of cloud around us it was not too thick to force us into precise navigation. Fearbrega always takes a long time to achieve. It is a true test of a walkers resolve. Once there however you sense that you have done a lot. Pat had much more in store for us on Sunday, however. We crosses to Loughlin’s Castle, still in cloud. Our ascent on to Galty Beg indicated that the day was going to live up to the forecast and by the time we got to the Cross on Galty Mor we were well above all of the cloud. The clear skies and bright sunshine was in stark contrast to what we had experienced up to then. It was to remain so for the rest of our crossing onto Sliabhcushnabinnia and thence down to “The Stoney Man” and ultimately back to the cars at Cush. The Galtys always provide a challenge to the walker; when these challenges are managed as ably as Pat can, they turn into really pleasant walks – this is what we had on Sunday.

The Thursday evening walk will depart from Glenosheen again on Thursday evening next at 7.30 p m. Those interested should contact Declan Clancy on 087 9792174. The Beginners walk departs Ardpatrick Church at 12 noon on Saturday. Enquiries to Robin Lee on 087 6385290. The “A” and “B” walks will combine on Sunday leaving Kilfinane at 10.00 a m. This is the second half of the proposed festival Marathon. There will be a bus transfer from Kilfinane to the start of the walk at Glenanaar. Please contact Robin Lee 087 6385290 well in advance to reserve bus place. There will be a small charge to defray the cost of the Bus. Finally there will be a skills walk from Anglesboro at 10.30 a m on Sunday – contact our Chairman, Denis Bates in advance on 086 8047570 to make the necessary arrangements.