Finally, into Porstewart via the stark looking Dominican College. I used to work with a woman who went to school there; she was always smiling - maybe that was because she had escaped!
Wednesday, 14 June 2017
Coleraine - Portstewart
Coleraine to Portstewart
One operation and increasing old-age has delayed things a bit recently but Brian and I finally made it to the end of the River Bann run today.
We trotted down the main road from Coleraine with little to get excited about until we hit the magnificent Portstewart Strand. Here we took to the dunes and crossed to follow the river towards to end of its course. It seemed like years ago that we started all this madness back in the mountains above Spelga Dam in the Mournes.
The final few hundred metres involved carefully walking out the mole at the mouth of the river. This can be a very nasty place in bad weather (don't go) but all was fine today.
Run over and time to drink the water that we had brought all the way from the river's source. Luckily, I found an old bottle of whiskey in my bag, so that helped kill any remaining Mourne bugs.
We sat here for ages, surrounded by water, drinking and watching the sea birds - certainly beats working.
Then it was time to head back along the beach - also known as Dorne in the Game of Thrones -what a place to run.
Finally, into Porstewart via the stark looking Dominican College. I used to work with a woman who went to school there; she was always smiling - maybe that was because she had escaped!
Finally, into Porstewart via the stark looking Dominican College. I used to work with a woman who went to school there; she was always smiling - maybe that was because she had escaped!
Wednesday, 16 November 2016
Kilrea - Coleraine
Kilrea to Coleraine
A trip into the unknown. A 6:00am train journey, followed by an excellent breakfast in the Nobel Cafe in Ballymena. Then slow bus to Kilrea and finally start running.
First stop at Movanagher Canal. Eels are farmed here and brought to Coleraine by lorry, then they swim the Atlantic and come back to the Bann to get caught. It's a tough life being an eel.
This old graveyard at Vow was were the Rev William Martin convinced the local population that it would be a good idea to emigrate to USA. They nearly all went and I bet their ancestors now regret it.
A brief rest a Drumheglis Marina. Original plan to run 11 miles has been updated and 16 is a bit far for me without a cup of tea - but cafe closed.
Finally arrived into Coleraine just in time to buy some lunch to eat on the train home. Good to see street decorations already in place for the final Bann run leg in December.
Portglenone - Kilrea
Portglenone to Kilrea
Ever fancy living by a river? There are lots of houses like this on the Thames but this is the first I've seen on the River Bann.
Another rare thing - a riverside path; this runs from Hutchinson's Quay.
A pill-box, complete with blue bin. I think the Bann was a defence-line during WW2. The idea was to keep the Germans out of Portadown - they wouldn't have been happy there!
The lock at Portna. I spent a good while exploring around here but didn't see another living human. The river is still open for navigation but not used that often.
Finally into Kilrea, the former home of footballer Martin O'Neill. I think he is the richest man ever to attend Queens University - although I've been told that he only studied there for one week before joining Nottingham Forest.
Thursday, 4 August 2016
Antrim - Portglenone
Antrim to Portglenone
You can often judge an area by the number of walkers who respond to your greetings. On this leg, everybody that I yelled at when running past, said "hello" back; so South Antrim seems like a friendly place to live.
I started at Castle Park, in Antrim. An excellent park to visit in the summer, don't miss the outdoor cafe down by the Lough.
Football fans in England don't know what to make of this name. Not many teams are named after a book.
On to Randalstown and over the old railway viaduct. One of our highest and most scenic paths but it's not very long.
On to Toome and the start of the Lower Bann at the top of Lough Neagh.
Toome canal - a rarely visited but interesting short walk. Sand from the lough was apparently used to build Stormont and Crooke Park ... you learn something new every day.
The fishery at Toomebridge. Do they still export thousands of eels to Europe every week? I've only ever eaten one and that was enough for one lifetime.
Another unusual industry. This is large scale peat extraction
- not popular with some environmentalists but there's nothing to beat the smell of burning turf.
Newferry at the top of Lough Beg. No sign of a ferry today and I'm not going to try swimming across.
A perfect end to the day - meeting a wiry woman in Portglenone.
You can often judge an area by the number of walkers who respond to your greetings. On this leg, everybody that I yelled at when running past, said "hello" back; so South Antrim seems like a friendly place to live.
I started at Castle Park, in Antrim. An excellent park to visit in the summer, don't miss the outdoor cafe down by the Lough.
- not popular with some environmentalists but there's nothing to beat the smell of burning turf.
Wednesday, 22 June 2016
Crumlin - Antrim
Crumlin - Antrim
Started today with a lap of Crumlin Glen, a rarely visited but nice place to run.
You don't often cross a bridge over a bridge over a river - still in Crumlin.
An hour gone and I'm still there - met old friend Mike. Still got 12 miles to run, it's going to be a long day.
Great photo in the cafe. This is the old Nutts Corner airport. Nowadays, most people hate spending time in airports but, back in the 1960s, we used to go here for a day out just to watch the planes and eat airport food.
Off at last and down to Lough Neagh. Really enjoyed today's route along the narrow lanes beside the shore.
Small jetties like this were used by eel fishermen. They say that men from the opposite shore used to stay overnight on this side and many marriages resulted. All this changed when motorboats were introduced.
The sort of cottage were fishing families would have lived. Maybe the locals now use their bike to find a wife.
Near Rea's Wood at the top of the Lough - even on a clear day, there's no sign of the southern shore.
This is the nice cafe used by Antrim parkrunners. No time today but must come back here soon.
Sunday, 19 June 2016
Moira - Crumlin
Moira to Crumlin
Six of us today. Great to see Liz - she brought a box of her famous chocolate brownies. As usual they were all scoffed before we even got to the start.
Today was an 11 mile trot through rural Co Antrim. Good to see moves being made around here to stop the murder of poor, defenceless chickens.
Spot the missing letter.
There's nothing to beat a mid-run bag of chips. I think there's even a book called Marathon and Chips.
A rare thing - a friendly rural dog. Liz wanted to bring this one home on the bus.
Colin and Brian waiting for level-crossing gates to open on the Lisburn to Antrim line.
I like the story of this name ...The townland was originally called
Baile Mhic Riocaird (land of the son of Richard?). That became anglicised to something that sounded similar and involved the game of cricket.
Friday, 3 June 2016
Lurgan - Moira
Hot morning, a day for the beach, but a last minute decision to go running was the right choice - as it always is!
Outside Lurgan on a minor road, a place, with a story to tell, appeared through the trees. This is Kilmore family home of Edward Langtry. A very wealthy man who met the wrong woman (Lily), she went on to great things involving that deadly combination of the Royal Family and horses. Many years later, Edward died destitute on the streets of Chester. Men nowadays have more sense!
I think the correct answer is Stoke City footballer Marc Wilson.
Not many of us will choose to be buried overlooking our workplace. But the canal engineer Richard Owen lies buried here at Soldierstown Church on a hill beside his creation. A wise choice.
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