|
Day: |
062 |
|
Date: |
Wednesday, 25 May 2016 |
|
Start: |
Aughris |
|
Finish: |
Collooney |
|
Daily
Kilometres: |
33 |
|
Total
Kilometres: |
1716 |
|
Weather: |
Cool and overcast in the morning and warmer
and partly sunny in the afternoon |
|
Accommodation: |
Chestnut Lodge B&B |
|
Nutrition: |
Breakfast: Cereal, scrambled eggs &
bacon, toast
Lunch: Muesli bars, chocolate, ice-cream
Dinner: Pizza, strawberry trifle |
|
Aches: |
Nothing new |
|
Highlight: |
A couple of stretches in the afternoon
along partly shaded rural back lanes with green fields, stone fences
and wildflowers everywhere. |
|
Lowlight: |
None really |
|
Pictures: |
Here |
|
GPS Track: |
Here |
|
Journal: |
Breakfast was a very social affair with the
hostess visiting each table to discuss their plans for the day and
what they were doing in Ireland, while others joined in. A
Dutch family and an Australian woman from Melbourne were staying
there for a number of days, while an American couple were just
passing through like me.
I left soon after 9am to make my way
back to the Ox mountains from the coast. The early walking was
peaceful, though there was some traffic with kids being taken to
school and farm tractors zipping along towing trailers full of hay.
After an hour or so, I rejoined the Sligo Way for the steady climb
up to a saddle in the mountains known as Ladies Brae with great
views to the north and east along the coast. Across the
saddle, the Sligo way followed a single lane road through a high
valley surrounded by treeless mountains apart from the usual pine
plantations here and there.
After crossing another saddle, I
was treated to views south and east into the Owenboy River valley as
the very minor road gradually descended. Entertainment was
provided by two sheep, one with a limp, who insisted on staying in
front of me on the road, even though there were multiple
opportunities for them to slip off to the side and let me past.
By the time I did get past them they would have walked two
kilometres from where I first encountered them. Earlier in the
trip I would have felt guilty about 'shepherding' them so far from
their territory, but now I just figure the farmer is responsible.
The road continued to gradually descend into the increasingly
fertile valley and soon I was walking past the usual lush pastures,
stone fences and grazing sheep and cattle. At the village of
Coolaney I spied a little shop and treated myself to an ice-cream
and Pepsi Max break before the last 12km of the day which passed
along some very picturesque country lanes with impressive displays
of wildflowers.
I reached the large village of Collooney and
my B&B soon after 5pm. Following a shower and some washing, I
walked to the shops and bought some dinner which I took back to my
room. I plan to go to bed early as I have a big day tomorrow
to reach Manorhamilton where I will have a day off. |
|
ADVENTURE LIST
Round Ireland
(2016)
Hume & Hovell Walking Track
(2013)
Via Alpina
(2012)
Australian Alps Walking
Track
(2011)
Land's End to John O'Groats
(2010)
Round Oz Bike Record Attempt
(2009)
Round Oz Bike Record Attempt
(2008)
Round Oz Bike Record Attempt
(2007)
Australia Tip to Top MTB
(2006)
Adelaide to Darwin MTB
(2005)
Sydney to Melbourne MTB
(2004)
Three Peaks Race
(2004)
Appalachian Trail
(1986)
Alpine Track
(1983)
|
