Tuesday
25th April – Last Day
Big
Dog Forest to Ballintempo Forest 11.90 Miles
Well,
who's a lucky girl? Out of my eight days of walking I've only had 1 day of rain
. . . . in Ireland!!!!
Today
started with a glorious view from our home-from-home of the mirror calm
estuary.
The sun was shining and all was well with the world as Denise and I
headed for The Thatch at Belleek for breakfast before starting my final trek.
We had checked yesterday that they would be open!!
I
was keeping my fingers crossed that the weather would be as good in the part of
Fermanagh that I was walking. We arrived at my start point; photos were taken
on my phone, goodbyes were said and I set off on the final ‘leg’
For
some reason I was all fingers & thumbs this morning. I was wearing thick
woollen gloves (I’d mislaid my thinner ones!) Although it was sunny it was
bitingly cold.
In fact, it had been so cold this morning that I had to de-ice
the front windscreen before I could drive off!! I tried a few times to take
some photos without much success although I did take a few random selfies that
I didn’t know about!!
After
Big Dog Forest I finally warmed up a bit and became a little more technically
adept so was able to take more photos again. The next Forest on today’s list
was Carrigan Forest. It was here that I felt less in a heavily managed Forestry
Commission ‘factory’ and more on an ancient trail.
Although I was still walking
on the same broad, gravelled Forest track, now it was bounded on each side by
an avenue of gnarled, scrubby trees that looked way older even that I am!!
Beyond that was another broad strip of rough, boggy ground littered with banks of
aromatic, golden gorse and the occasional deciduous bush. Further beyond frequently
there were deciduous trees before, finally, giving way to the usual Sitka
Spruce.
Perhaps
it was this that made for more birdsong, or perhaps the sunshine, or perhaps even
the fact there was less wind. Whatever it was I was far more aware of the
general peace and quiet and the uplifting sounds of birds welcoming in Spring
(and the bonus of no cuckoo!!)
All
of my walk was on the Ulster Way, clearly marked at each turning point. All the
guides would have you walk from Belcoo in the south to Magho Cliffs in the
north but that means the going is predominantly uphill!! Why would you do that?
I advise doing it my way, Magho Viewpoint to Belcoo. It’s still not easy but
there are more down-hills to up-hills that way.
I
had to walk round Lough Formal so I formally marched round it whistling British
Grenadiers, Early One Morning and Sweet Lass of Richmond Hill (under my
breath!) It’s a military thing!! I kept imagining myself back on the parade
square at Guildford on a 2 Company Passing-Out Parade. General Salute & the
Corps Marches!! Ahh well – it whiles away the miles!!
Having got to the far
side of Lough Formal I first saw a sign saying Car Park this way - did that
mean I could have driven it instead of walking? I’ll know next time!! I then
saw the sign suggesting a walk up to Formal More Viewpoint . . . . up a very steep hill!! . . . . I thought about it for at least a Nano-second!!
This
walk comprised very long zig-zags. I zigged, knowing full well that I’d covered
miles but progressed yards along my direction of intended travel!! I zagged but
hey-ho – gradually I was reaching my goal.
I
came across my first lone human driving another road-levelling tractor. Further
up the track I came across a heavy roller machine. No doubt he would travel up
and down the track on his leveller and then up and down with the roller!! What
a job!
I
had lunch at Lough Namanfin sitting on a beautifully made bench. Enough room
for me to lie out in the sun, propped up by my rucksack. I couldn’t get too
comfy as I had a chauffeuse to meet at the end of my hike. Sandwich and
homemade sausage rolls scoffed, water drunk and a high energy dark chocolate
& berry bar to hand for dessert on the move I set off again for my final destination.
The
last mile or so always seems to last for ever. As I trudged downhill I kept
thinking the end would just be round the next corner. Denise, who had parked
the car earlier (reader – you surely are not surprised!) walked up the hill to
meet me then panicked that she was in the wrong place or had missed me somehow
so hastily retreated back to the car. We
must have been but a short distance from each other for half a mile or so! Eventually
I rounded the final bend and there she was, waiting for me, as always.
Photos
were taken and congratulatory hugs exchanged before we set off back to Donegal
and an excellent Raspberry & White Chocolate Bun cooked by Julia. She
cooked 12 but I’ve only managed 1 . . . . so far!!
Over
8 days I have completed 101.18 miles in, for the most part, glorious weather.
Not too hot and not too cold. A bit damp one day but heck . . . . it is
Ireland.
My
very grateful thanks to Denise (in particular), Julia and George for supporting
me so well. Without them none of this would have happen. My thanks also to the
many people who have sponsored me through my Give as you Live page or through
cash donations and raffles. I assure you that all of the money I have raised
goes to my two charities (minus any online fees) All of my expenses are
self-financed.
This
walk has been in memory of a true ex-WRAC, Mel Howell, who surely made her mark
in our world. RIP Mel xx
You can donate to my two charities, Pancreatic Cancer Research and WRAC Association at my Give as you Live page at:
https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/margs-ireland-100-mile-charity-walk-2023
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