Tonelagee

Yesterday I joined The Others driving to the Wicklow Gap (471m) and climbing Tonelagee (817m), not barefoot because the previous Sunday I had dinged my big toe and and was thus being nice to it. The Others descended to Lough Ouler where two of them swam (the others had rather lame excuses), whilst I retraced my steps so that I could drive to meet them someplace beyond Lough Ouler, this arrangement to avoid The Others having to climb Tonelagee again on the way back.

Their route in nred

I duly parked along the Military Road and, whilst waiting, walked down to the stream that feeds the Glenmacnass waterfall and found my own place to swim.

This morning I woke as usual for this time of the year just before 06:00, enjoyed a lay-in for an hour (it being Sunday), then went for a run along the lakeside, having first bandaged my toe with red insulation tape. There is rarely any sign of All The People here at such hours, thankfully - because I like to be on my own at least some of the time. Although it was drizzling and a tad chilly the water was gloriously warm in comparison.

Now back, a hot shower and, afterwards, a mug of hot tea and a freshly baked blueberry muffin donated by my wonderful daughter in law!

Kippure

Bike ride: 57 miles, maximum 39.7 mph, average 11.1 mph (because I was tired when I started!). Blessington, Cloghleagh Bridge, Sally Gap, Kippure, Glenmacnass, Larragh, Wicklow Gap.

Upper reaches of Shankill River

At Cloghleagh Bridge I stopped and walked upstream (last time I went downstream to the Liffey) and was suitably impressed by the accessibility and many pools some deep enough to swim in.

Looking back down the Shankill to Cloghleagh bridge

There are many pools like this, some deep enough to swim

At this point I turned back. Why do humans destroy what they are given?

Resuming my journey towards the Sally Gap I stopped again because this part of the Liffey valley is so beautiful.

My favourite part of the Liffey valley

Same, looking back, a bit further up

That's the river Liffey, now but a stream

I turned left at the Sally Gap summit to explore Kippure. There were zillions of notices forbidding close encounter and besides the private road to the top was very steep so I did not quite make it to the top.

The TV mast on Kippure

View from same - you can just make out the sea

That pointy thing to the right is the Sugar Loaf mountain near Bray.  Then is was mostly downhill all the way to Larragh.

Much needed lunch stop on the Military Road

At Larragh I refuelled and started the ascent, stopping a bit further up than usual for my customary stop to regain breath. The idea was to find some more adits but no joy and motivation for further exploration was ebbing by this stage.

Clear water near Turlough Hill (there were fish)

St Kevin's way crosses here