Hilltops, Heritage and History
A great end to the Summer Holidays with our walk in the Cooley’s today. Well done everyone, there were lots of challenging sections to the climb, and from the faces above it is clearly evident that everyone had a great day, we even picked up a new club member “Hoppy” the grass hopper, hope he is enjoying his new home!!
This Sunday, September 1st is our last Family walk of the Summer. We will be heading to the Cooley’s and the Long Woman’s Grave. Anyone wanting to join us should come along at 12 to the car park of the Gap Pub Jonesboro’ for registration and from there we will drive to our starting point. The walk will last for approx. 2 hours and all walkers, adults and children must be wearing walking boots, strictly no runners allowed. Bring a packed lunch/drink and a waterproof jacket. Children must be accompanied by an adult and remain their responsibility. No dogs allowed.
Well done to everyone who walked with us yesterday, it was a long one at about 17km but the views made it all worth while! We hope to see all the new comers again in a fortnight’s time for our next walk which will be in the Cooley’s.
The third of our Family Summer walks will take place this Sunday, 18th of August. Our walk will take us from the Mast above Anaverna across to Cairnawaddy, (translated as cairn of the dog, it is reputed to be the burial place of Cuchulainn’s faithful hound Bran).
We will meet in the car park of the Gap Pub, Jonesboro for registration at 12 o clock before travelling by car the short distance to our starting point. The walk will last for approx. 2/2.5 hours and will be on rough and hilly terrain and therefore not suitable for pushchairs or very young children. Excited kids and dogs don’t mix, so no dogs are allowed!!
Our Family Walks are free to all children, who must be accompanied by an adult. ( For non members day membership is available at a minimal charge of £5/adult.)
Children remain the responsibility of the accompanying adult, the Gap Hill Walking Club / leaders cannot take any responsibility for walkers, adults or children. As hill walking is an activity with inherent risks of personal injury, all walkers must agree to be responsible for their own actions and involvement and accompanying adults must agree to be responsible for the children in their care.
Hiking boots, are a necessity for both adults and children (no runners allowed). Bring a waterproof jacket and a packed lunch/drink.
So come along and explore the hills on your door step, fitness, fun and folklore thrown in!
This Sunday, the 11th of August we are walking in the Eastern Mournes. We will have 2 groups out, both group walks will be 10+ km and will take around 4 hours and are as follows:
“B” group, this walk will be strenuous, taking in 3 peaks, Slieves, Loughshannagh, Meelbeg and Bernagh
“C” group, this walk will be a moderate, loop walk climbing Slieve Bernagh only.
Slieve Bearnagh, (from the Irish “Sliabh Bearna” meaning “Gapped Mountain”), gets its name from its giant granite rocky tors and the col lying between them. It is the 4th highest in the range and another 700m+ peak, with saddles at Pollaphuca to the West and Hares Gap to the East.
Pollaphuca comes from the Irish “pool of the puca”. The puca being fairy like creatures of Irish folklore, considered to be both bringers of good and bad fortune, they could either help or hinder, rural and marine communities. They were said to be shape changers and could take the appearance of various creatures, black horses, goats and rabbits! They are associated with the Harvest Festival, “Samhain”, November 1st, which can also be known as “Puca’s Day.
A bus is organised at a cost of £5/person. At the moment there are places available and will be filled on a first come/first paid basis on Sunday morning.
Meet as usual at the “Gap” pub Jonesboro’ at 10am for registration/safety briefing. We will be leaving promptly at 10.15 and allowing an hour’s travel time in each direction we should be back around 4.30 / 5.00pm.
All walkers must be wearing deep tread walking boots and have a waterproof jacket. Walking poles are advisable. Bring a packed lunch/water. Anyone who has not walked with us before must walk with our “C” Group.