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.

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. 

Lurgan - Moira

Lurgan to 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!

Maybe it's old age but on all these runs I seem to be constantly watched by a variety of strange characters.  Here's one of today's faces....

...... and another.

Don't see many of these country shops nowadays.  In my County Armagh childhood, we spent the summer cycling to such places to drink Coke and eat vast quantities of Tayto crisps.  Those were unhealthy but great days.

Annaghdroghal Bridge, not a name that the UK TV presenters ever want to have to try to pronounce. 

Tea break time.  A great place this - The Rusty Tractor in Aghagallon village. Sunshine, luxury seats and tea & toast all for only £1:80.

I asked the waitress (on right) who was the most famous person ever from Aghagallon. She jokingly said:  'I am'.  
I think the correct answer is Stoke City footballer Marc Wilson. 

At Aghalee, I followed the Broadwater path.  This is a remote part of the Lagan Canal which starts back in Belfast. The Canal towpath there is where I started my running many years ago.  This must be one of the best bits.

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.

The final section down towards Moira Station and a train back home.  This was a wonderful running route - try it one day.