Church mountain revisited

 

My track: 23.65km, 540m elevation gain, avg 5.34km/h

Apart from making proper use of the amazingly good weather, I habitually make this pilgrimage at this time of the year to test the decline in my stamina. Results? Well, I made it, even if arriving exhausted back home, even if I skipped the last few metres to the summit, due to lack of time. Even if I had to keep reverting to walking as dictated by my angina symptoms.  Will I make it next year? I hope so, but it might be with less jogging, more walking.

On the ascent

From (almost) the summit

On the descent

Via  Holywood glen

Jonathan's Bay

Jonathan's Bay (somewhat submerged)

It was Sunday afternoon that I decided to explore the trail (recently upgraded) from the carpark on the Valleymount side of the bridge, to Jonathan's Bay.

My track: just short of 9 km

Jonathan's Bay, lovingly named after my eldest, is at the bottom right of this map. My track follows the trail which ends one side of a fence doubtless erected by the ESB. The road is on the other side. I'm not sure what the trail blazers intended at this point, but it was very muddy so I retraced my steps.

Click on the images to view full-screen.

The trail

Where Annacarney Brook empties into Jonathan's Bay

The trail again

 

Mothering Sunday

I wish my mother were still alive. Then I would buy her a flamboyant bouquet of flowers on this day. More important, I would sit by her side and share all those things that I have longed to be able to talk to her about since she passed away. Or would I?