Wordless Wednesday : A Steep Descent

A long way down

Wordless Wednesday : Climb Every Mountain!

Tuesdays of Texture : Week 13, 2017

Hiking in sunshine

I love the tufts of grass –  or maybe there are rocks hidden under some of them – watch where you put your foot!

This was taken on a hike in the Galtee mountains in Co. Tipperary on Sunday, a very long gradual climb (over 450 metres) to a lake nestled near the top of the mountain,  The lake is called Lough Curra, and to get there we followed the old ‘Ice Road’ which was used to draw ice down the valley to the big houses, and there is still evidence of ice erosion from the ice age, close to the lake at the top.

Lough Curra

Here we are, having a break at the lake, before starting down the steep descent again.  About a week ago, we had some snow on high ground, and you can still see the remains of it on the mountain side.

Linked to Narami’s Tuesdays of Texture

 

Wordless Wednesday : Taking a Hike!

Galtee Mountains

From the Side : Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge

We went hiking in the Glen of Aherlow at the weekend, and when we stopped for lunch after about two hours’ walking, I saw this old abandoned bench, and managed to get a side shot through the long grass and rushes.   This bench was in a fantastic spot, looking across at the very majestic Galtee mountains – who wouldn’t want to stop and sit here for a while.

Galtee mountains

Linked to Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge

Travel Theme : Paths

Along the trail on the Glenalochy walk

The photo above was taken on a hike near Dunmanway in West Cork a few weeks ago, visibility was a bit hazy, but the scenery was still beautiful.

George the Sky, Dunmanway

Along the way we came across this sign showing the way to the top of the mountain where an old man called George lived for many years, his house was so remote and high in the hills that he became known as ‘George the Sky’ and it’s nice to see that he is remembered.

In spite of the hustle and bustle, there are quiet corners in London, such as this old ruin of a church near Monument Tube Station, it’s St Dunstan in the East, with benches and a garden to sit and rest after a busy morning in the city.

Linked to Ailsa’s Travel theme

Cee’s Which Way Photo Challenge : March 10, 2017

Cee posts great challenges every week, and they are always a great opportunity to trawl through the archives if you haven’t been able to get any new photos to post.

This challenge is all about capturing the roads, walks, trails, rails, steps, etc. we move from one place to another on.  You can walk on them, climb them, drive them, ride on them, as long as the specific way is visible.  Any angle of a bridge is acceptable as are any signs.

Bridges of Amsterdam

The above was taken when on a canal cruise in Amsterdam, and yes, our boat was quite flat, as you can see below,  and managed to get under these low bridges without mishap!

Taking a cruise on the canals of Amsterdam

And now back on dry land and back home in Ireland, here is one of the hiking trails we did recently, which goes right to the top of the hill, almost in a straight line, though there were a few stops along the way to get our breath back!

Hiking in the hills

 

Check out Cee’s page for more interesting posts

 

Tuesdays of Texture: Week 6

Patches of snow and winter grass

Can you hear the crunching of boots as we tramp through the cold?    This was us last Sunday on top of a frosty mountain in west Cork.  The views were great but there wasn’t so much time to stop and stare!

Snow on the distant hills

Linked to Tuesdays of Texture

Daily Post Photo Challenge : Solitude

Shehy Mountains on a cloudy day

The mountains are a good place to be alone, in solitude, unless of course like me you are part of a 50 strong group on a cold wintry day, all huddled together for company from the biting wind!  There always a chance to stride out on your own though, and enjoy the scenery of the distant hills, and a few isolated cottages in the distance.

Snow on the distant hills.

And if you don’t want to go hiking, there’s always the call of the sea on a calm day.

Lone sail boat

 

Ambience: Weekly Photo Challenge

A Winter’s Tale

I took this photo last weekend while hiking in County Cork.   It’s a very typical outlook at this time of the year, when the fog and mist come down, and gives a winter ambience to the countryside.

Check out more posts at the Daily Post