Slieveanorra, Glendun and Glenshesk in the Snow
On Friday 1st Feb, in the middle of the night, we had a good fall of snow, so when we woke to prepare for our training walk that Saturday, we were greeted by a crisp, white blanket.
Many times I have thought that it would be beautiful, to walk the hills in the snow, and now was our chance! It was also a chance to try some snow-scene photography. The photographers among you will know that it can be tricky metering for a snow scene, and I certainly didn’t find it straightforward, but I enjoyed it all the same.
Hope you enjoy them, and feel free to comment (or criticize!) Please click on the thumbnails to view them larger, and click the Back button to return to here. 
Knocklayde, with a twist?
At the end of this previous post, I revealed how I thought Irwin was planning a severe departure from normality, on our next walk on Knocklayde. If you remember, I said how I thought he was hinting at a “figure of eight” approach. Possibly climbing it twice?
Well, I’m afraid I was “barking up the wrong tree”, Irwin had planned a slight twist, but nothing like climbing it twice. I must admit, I was a bit relieved, and glad that we were getting back home for mid-day. It was a nice surprise to be able to spend some time with Jed, at the park.
The twist was simply approaching from a different side. We usually park in Ballycastle, and walk directly to Knocklayde through the Ballycastle Forest, but this time we walked through the town, out to near the sea, and along for a few miles, before turning inland more, and heading towards the hill. It was a great walk, nice change of scenery and we were blessed with brilliant weather.
I only got two photos, that I feel for one reason or another that they are worthy of posting here.
The first is a view from the east side of Knocklayde,and the second is Jeds’ water bottle, at the very summit! He very kindly allowed me to use it, as it is a good size to carry in a pocket.
Please click on the thumbnails to view them a bit larger, and click on the Back button (the arrow pointing left, at the top left corner of your screen) to return to this page.
From Altarichard, around Glenshesk…in the Rain, Snow, and Mud !
We had a great walk this day,05/01/08, and even though the weather was a little less than perfect, it is always good to get out into the hills. The conditions weren’t great for photography. Quite often, the conditions were so bad, that the camera was imprisoned, against its’ will, in my backpack. Also the sky was very bright and grey, not a good combination , but, nevertheless, here are some shots that I am quite pleased with.
As you can see below, the sky didn’t help the photographs, but I like the perspective this gives, of my companions going up the other side of this glen.
This is looking straight down into the glen, after I have crossed over.
Slightly wet underfoot!
We were still smiling though.
This was the “Final Furlong” back to the cars which you can almost see, in the Altarichard Picnic Area car park, in the distance.
Giants Causeway to Ballintoy
Some friends accompanied us on this coastal walk, from the picturesque Giants Causeway to Ballintoy harbour. The weather was very changeable, as usual there were times when I had to keep the camera in my rucksack, to keep it dry! It was also very windy on some of the headlands, making it necessary for us to leave the clifftop path, and move inland for safety. At least four hats were lost!
This was a great first outing for my new boots!
As you can see below, the sea was impressive!
This was a little Stonechat which seemed quite unafraid of us.
This walk was on the 29th December 2007
We had a great walk today (5th Jan 08) in the Antrim Hills, complete with snow, wind and rain….photos to follow soon!
Boxing Day walk at Portrush, complete with Kayaks!
Posting has been quiet around here, for a while, due to the Christmas preparations! Hope you all had a good time, and are looking forward to 2008!
I have had a couple of training walks, since I was here last. The first of which was really to blow the cobwebs away after the sumptuous “Christmas Dinner”. The local Rambling Club had organized a walk from the West Strand car park, out round Ramore Head, and along the East Strand to the White Rocks. If any of you readers are familiar with Portrush in Northern Ireland, you will know the wonderful beaches I am talking about.
We had unusual company alongside the walkers….only these guys/gals were in the water! Surf Kayaking I believe it is called, the photos do not really do it justice, it looks fantastic fun (just a bit crazy!)
The sky stayed quite overcast, and didn’t help the photography, but it was a very enjoyable walk…I’m very glad I went.
Four Peaks in the Mournes, Co.Down
Five excited hill walkers appeared ready for action, on Saturday 6:30am! We had a good journey down to Newcastle, and were on the go at 8:30am. As you can see from the first photograph, the conditions didn’t look too promising, but everyone was enthusiastic, and we headed off.
The mountains in the order we climbed them were:
Slieve Loughshannagh 620m
Slieve Meelbeg 708m
Slieve Meelmore 704m
Slieve Bearnagh 739m
As you can see, the visibility wasn’t great at times, but when we could see, the scenery was fantastic!
Walking at Murlough Bay
Here is a photo of all the enthusiastic walkers who turned out for our training walk on Saturday past. This is one of only three photos that were taken, due to the very wet conditions!
Seriously though, we did have a good walk, although the weather was quite bad, stormy and wet. We managed to find a sheltered place for lunch (Irwin’s instincts kicked in, and took us away off the direction we were going, and I wondered if there was any point in continuing…and then we found an amazing place, sheltered from the wind and rain!)
Next Saturday, God willing, we are going to the Mourne Mountains for our next walk. Irwin has said we will be summiting four peaks, so I can tell you more next week. Hopefully the weather will be a bit better, and I will be able to get a few more shots to post.
Training Walk on Knocklayde, in the Antrim Hills
We enjoyed good walking conditions for our latest walk from Ballycastle, to the summit of Knocklayde, and back.
As you can see, we had a cheery bunch of walkers, and a good morning was had by all.
I balanced my camera on my rucksack, and set the self-timer, and ran !
Having a rest at the summit.
As you can see, the sky was overcast most of the morning, but it stayed dry and comfortable for walking.
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