Wood Loop Trail

I took my time deciding what to do today. At about 2:15, a few others announced they were hitting the pub to watch the all Ireland hurling final between Galway and Kilkenny. Inspired to actually get off the painfully slow internet and do something, I walked with them to the end of the driveway and then went my own way for a long trek. I wanted to check out the Ballyvaughan loop trail. I copied the map in my moleskine and turned up my collar to the weather. It was not a downpour, but a very wet rain. Large droplets, falling at just the right angle to go in my ears and eyes. A few hundred yards down the road, a car slowed and the driver offered me a lift if I was heading to the college. I told him a hike was my aim and he waved cheerfully as I trudged on in the mud.

Map.

After my first turn I knew I had taken the wrong path. No worries though, I had my makeshift map and knew just where I was. A long walk up the road led eventually to the sheltered faery grove we had passed on last week's bus tour. I lingered a bit, taking shelter from the driving rain under the generous tree cover. A few people were milling about, and after a moment I saw they were preparing for a wedding. I exchanged greetings, best wishes, and wandered on.

I had to backtrack a bit to connect with the loop trail, but my hand drawn map served me well. The path meandered in and out of light hazel woodland, and all the while I had my eye on the crest of a mountain to my right. The top is very visible from all over the Burren, so I thought, best to get a look at the land from the other point of view. The rain had let up at last, and I was determined to scale the stony heights.

Connecting with the trail.

The path, as it dipped into hazel woodland.

Looking out through a break in the hazel.

As soon as I saw this, I knew I had to conquer it.

I hopped the wall bordering the trail and crossed some rocky farmland, avoiding fences along the way and keeping well out of the grazing fields. I followed the stone wall up the side of the mountain, across the piled grass and thorns, unsure of what I was stepping on below, and at times sinking far more than I expected. After the first deep hole I was more careful with the shift of my weight. Near the top the climb became more sheer, but I managed, sore iliotibial band (result of hurling practice back in Dublin) and all.

The ascent begins.

Very close to the summit, the sun came out. I had climbed to a patch of grass right below the final rise, and it was breathtaking. Not a bad photograph in sight. It was somehow more picturesque here than at the very top, in the little, grassy pause with the wind blowing through.

Near the summit.

Looking down.

And again.

I reached the top, where the wind bent the grass and threw oncoming drizzle in my face. Not five minutes passed before the rainclouds completely wiped out the light. The rocks were slippery in a matter of minutes, and I had to pause just to prepare myself mentally for the level of care the descent would require. A few slips, no nasty spills, and a thorough saturation later and I was down. I found the trail again and was on my way. I had to make up a song about dinner on the way home because my stomach was more than ready for it.

A crawlspace through the wall, found on the descent.

I met up with the main road towards Ballyvaughan, and after about a quarter mile the sun was out again. I turned to check the traffic at a crossing and to my surprise, a rainbow was just forming behind me. The arc terminated in a field on one side and a roof on the other, not a hundred yards from where I stood. The colors and sharpness were like nothing I have seen, simply beautiful. Another, fainter, rose above it. As they faded together I continued on.

Imagine this, but twelve times sharper and more saturated.

I met a few of my housemates in the shop as they were purchasing ice cream bars. I picked up turkey breast for dinner and my weekly biscuits (the cheapest they carry are also my favorites, lucked out there!).

The owner of the bike hire place was there today, and it seemed as good a time as any to increase my mobility. Kaitlin (from down the hall) and I tried them out, paid our €30 for the month, and were off. Complimentary helmet, water bottle and bike lock were included. My legs were sure to remind me that I had not been cycling in too many years, and I laboured over the slightest of inclines. It was bliss to get back to the house and sit for just a moment.

It was my night to cook dinner for the four others in our group meal arrangement, so I went about grilling turkey, onions and rosemary. Budget ciabatta, olive oil and cheddar went into the sandwiches, and pan-fried potatoes (the work of Allison from across the hall) paired well. Not a bad end to the exhaustion of the day.