Distance : 20 km Weather : cloudy and cool
John, Maugie and Liz stayed at the Black Valley Hostel. Excellent facilities, including some ensuite double rooms. Self-catering. We met them at 9 am and proceeded along the Black Valley.
Lovely temperature for walking. The route included some tarmac, through fields, stone paths, bog and grassy rocky ascents.
Up on the mountainside were some 'lazy beds', a remnant from the Potato Famine in the nineteenth century. Farmers believed that they could beat the chances of potato blight if they planted at a higher altitude. Hard and thankless work.
A cautious deer as we passed one of the small lakes in Black Water Valley.
There were several interesting bog plants which attract insects in various way to extract necessary nitrogen missing from the bog soil. This is Butterwort and it has a sticky leaf which the insects become attached.
This is a Sundew plant which traps insects in the transparent sap droplets.
Large flocks of sheep in various states of undress due to recent shearing.
The saddle between Black Water Valley and Bridia Valley.
Reaching the top and walking along a ridge before descending into the next valley. Lovely views.
The reason Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle. You can just see Maugie making her way down cautiously.
Making our way along the valley on a rocky section.
Late in the afternoon we discovered this B&B which doubles as a cafe/ restaurant during the day. Excellent menu and food and includes their own homemade ice cream. Signs about minimum orders €3 and no picnickers etc. Mein host was a little like Basil Fawlty. I happened to ask why you would name a cafe Cooky Monster when it is set in such a scenic valley with other more imaginative possibilities. Bad move. Cooky Monster is his pet name for his wife, the chef. I didn't see her but only could imagine someone purple and furry. To add insult to injury he caught me sampling a ripe raspberry from his bush - only grown for one of his special ice cream flavours. I made a quick retreat.
Another ascent up the Lack Road. Lack being the Irish for flagstones.
The view of the day, looking towards Lough (Lake) Acoose, our destination for the day.
John taking in the view. Liz and Maugie preparing for yet another cup of tea.
After the steep descent we enjoyed the final section by the Gearhanagour Stream but alas no views of Carrauntoohil to our right, the highest mountain in Ireland (1039m), as the mist had begun to roll in.
Our B&B in Glencar, Lough Acoose. Our hosts, Mike and Mary, could not have been more hospitable. Providing an evening meal, breakfast, sandwiches for lunch and even driving us to and fro to the local (excuse for a) pub, so John could test out their Guinness - surprisingly impressed. Interesting to see what these remote communities have to offer.
M&M
11/7/2014
No comments:
Post a Comment