The Great Wall of ...Norther Ireland

The Moune Mountains are located in Northern Ireland in County Down and they are some of the best granite mountains in Ireland, where quarries were huge part of the Kingdom of Mourne economy. These rugged, granite peaks are surrounded by golden beaches, deep forests, and emerald fields.

The beauty of the mountains was immortalized in one of William Percy French’s songs: “Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea”. And believe me, they give you this feeling once you get to the top and look down to start your descent.

Our challenge began at the Bloody Bridge in Newcastle,

climbing Slieve Donard highest peak (850m), where Slieve is from the Irish word “sliabh”, meaning mountain.

We trekked up to the Mourne Wall, a man-made, dry-stone wall built between 1904 and 1922, in order to provide work during a period of high unemployment. The wall is 2m high, a meter thick, and over 35 km long, lying across the summits of 15 of the surrounding peaks.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t finish the pre-planned hike as the weather was mental all day long. We had to put on and take off are waterproof gear for the duration of the hike, as the weather was mental. It was sunny at the beginning, then started raining, windy, misty and finally when we get to the top of Slieve Donard it also started hailing. But as it wasn’t enough we also had thunders and lightings all the way down. And surprise surprise! We got to the valley, guess what? The sky cleared up again, as if nothing has ever happened before. At least we were able to dry up.

Another inspirational way of living your life way up...

I came through an article yesterday which was talking about an American guy, Dean Potter who not only climbs up some of the highest mountains in the world, but then he base-jumps off them, without mentioning free-soloing, highlining and baselining. In one word: freebasing.

I could try to explain it, but I think his videos do a better job. He climbs up the most difficult side of the Eiger with only his fingers, toes and a 5lbs parachute and then falls/jumps off.

For him, it’s not just a physical experience, it’s also spiritual as he stops to meditate before falling 9,000 feet in about three minutes.
You can sense his kinship with the cliffs and the rock-faces while he drags himself up with just his fingers and toes.

It is just AWESOME! It’s a long way to go from my Indoor-climbing to the Eiger.

I got bit by the hiking bug

Today I led my first moderate hike and I have to say that last night and early this morning I was a bit anxious about my navigations skills and the fact that I probably didn't give the right directions to get to the meeting point.
Last Sunday I attended a Compass and Map reading course in order to be able to organise more hikes and to get ready for my Rainbow trip as it will include lot's of hike especially in New Zealand.
I was worried to fail, but then I remembered that I read somewhere (actually I think it's on one of Lance Armstrong's books) that you can lear from failure and also I thought: "Who said it is going to be a failure? I haven't even left home and already have thisk kind of thoughts! Think positive." And as it always pays having a positive attitude, things went well, people enjoyed the hike and I enjoyed it too.

We walked in a sort of a loop starting from the car park near J.B. Malone Memorial. JB was one of the greatest pioneers of Irish hillwalking and was able to fulfil his long-cherished dream of a waymarked walk throught the Wicklow Mountains.

Our first climb was Fancy Mountain so we decided to head South and circumnavigate the South side of Lough Tay (Lake Tay) and crossing Cloghoge river. Then, we started climbing Fancy mountain (595m) from the East side as there were quite few new comers and we wanted to avoid the steepest part with cliffs overlooking the lake on the West side of the mountain.

After enjoying the lovely view of the river from the top, we descended to reach the Sheepbank bridge in order to be able to start climbing this time War Hill (686m).

Before starting it the group split up as "lazy" ones wanted to skip this 30 mins extra and instead heading straight to Djouce mountain.
I don't know why but I felt the fatigue climbing this hill rather than the other two.
After another group photo, this time of only the brave ones who dared, we finally headed to our final destination: Djouce Mountain (725m), which I'm still trying to figure out which way is the correct way to pronounce it.
Then we skipped the last hill of the loop, White Hill (725m) as some people where already daydreaming of being at the car park and others in a pub.

The descent was done going through part of the sleeper tracks that form the Wicklow Way.
The path brings you to a super belvedere which overlooks Lough Tay and the great Lagga crag.
At the end of this great day out, we stopped for our usual and well-deserved refreshment in pub in Roundwood village.


I had fun today and enjoyed when I was arranging the hike. Looking at the best route on the map, compass bearing, taking pictures for my blog and and and album on FB and so on.

It takes a lot of time and work, but it pays being out there, looking around, listening to the birds twittering...

Easter celebrations!

I'd say I owe my hometown (Caltanissetta) a post...

This is her during her most busy time of the year, from Palm Sunday to Easter Monday.

What I like the most is the "Real Maestranza" (Royal Workers), which was established in 1806 and included a parade through the city centre of different ancient work guilds: from miners to bakers and so on.

On Thursday evening there is the "parade" of the Mysteries. Statues that represent Via Crucis and Passion Christ. They are made of wood, papier-mache and plaster. Dated 1881, ordered by the miners of Gessolungo who wanted to thank Christ for saving them from a narrowly escape death.



The City Hall.

And The Plaza (Piazza Garibaldi)

If you want to know more, please visit http://www.settimanasantacaltanissetta.it/giovedi-santo/giovedi.html


I hope you decide to come and visit us one day.

Ireland's Highest Bog Trot

After the lovely Easter break back home, I have to keep up with my blog and my adventures.
Before the break, we went to what is called "Ireland's Highest Bog Trot.
We followed a sort of loop starting from Black Hill (602meters), went west trying to avoid descending too much ground before heading to Mullaghcleevaun (849meters), which is the second highest mountain in the Dublin/Wicklow area.
From here we headed down to Billy Byrne's gap before heading upto Moanbane summit.
We took a relative short walk across to Silsean(698meters) which due to the broken nature of the ground took longer than anticipated.
From here it is descent all the way to Ballyknockan. Its a long descent and I found it tough on the feet so take a little extra time.



Just in case you wonder why it's called Black Hill!

A cute little pond on the top of Moanbane. The name (Móin Bhán: white bog) must surely be derived from the carpet of bog cotton (cottongrass) that covers this and the surrounding hills in early summer.
It was the first time in 2 years of hikes that I heard some birds chirping. I felt even closer to the Nature.

And finally the kids got to play with the last snow of the season.
My camouflage wearing white didn't work quite well...
Believe it or not, that was my first time and I loved it. I was pushing myself into doing something I always wanted to do, but never did for fear. I felt the adrenaline.