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Published: August 20th 2007
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Despite the overcast skies, the 6 of us still decided to stick with our plans and head out into the wilderness for a day of sightseeing. WE crammed into our car like a bunch of sardines (the boys in the very back playing Yahtzee and Connect Four) and made our way towards the Mountains of Mourne.
You can see the mountains from quite a ways away, and we decided to stop and have a quick snack in Newcastle, and then headed into Silent Valley - which houses a reservoir that feeds the city of Belfast. It is as big as our own Snowy Mountain Hydro System. Mum says it’s called Silent Valley because once you’re in the valley, you can’t hear a thing - not a bird, or a car - nothing.
It was lovely driving through the countryside, with Irish sheep and stone fences - and fields of patchwork green. They really do get A LOT of rain here (but we have been very lucky and haven’t had too much). It didn’t take long to reach the car park of Ben Crom, one of the two reservoirs, and we were all out with our brollies and jumpers to
catch the bus up to the dam.
The bus stop is fairly conspicuous so after much debate, it was decided that I would wait for the bus at the actual stop, while the others went off in different directions, exploring. No more than 30 seconds later, the bus whizzed around the corner and we were all aboard. It was fun driving past all the people that had (stupidly) decided to hike up to the dam by foot. Stuff that - on top of walking there, you still have to get up all the stairs to the top!
Dad led the way up the stairs for about a minute, before the boys and I overtook him. Kristelle and mum brought up the rear…but we did ALL make it to the top. The dam’s walls provide impressive views of the valley and the dam itself…and Ryan and Izzy cooed to their hearts content, while the poor sheep bleated in response. Mum and I took some photos, and then we noticed a lot of flying black insects - MIDGES!! And there were hundreds of the buggers!!
We didn’t stay up top for too much longer, and descended the stairs amongst
the midges…which were even worse at the bottom. KB and I were totally covered (I think they are attracted to black) and we all danced around trying not to get bitten. I guess they are very similar to sandflies - YUCK!
Finally, the bus arrived, and we all jumped on board, bringing the midges with us. The poor driver stopped at one stage, and opened the doors trying to shoo them out…we all sat in various states of hiding, Ryan completely obscured by his jacket.
A quick pit stop at the café allowed us to shake any remaining midges off, and get an ice cream for the road. We piled back into the car, and drove out of silent valley, not to silently - I think we were probably all whining about the midges still 😉
It was on to Tullymore Forrest next, a place KB and I remember fondly. We had a caravan holiday at Tullymore on our previous trip - which looks a little like Robin Hood’s stomping grounds. It isn’t as picturesque as it once was, with litter here and there, but there were some familiar sites, including the stone bridges, the hermitage and
the stepping-stones across the little creek. Izzy and Ryan ran on ahead like two little kids, investigating every nook and cranny, and jumping out at us from a very precarious hidey-hole.
It was a big day, so we headed back for a nap, and then made our way (eventually) to cousin Amanda’s house (which is only 2 minutes drive away) for a night of drinking and music. The houses have a habit of all looking the same here, and there are 3 or 4 uses for the one name 0 Henderson Street, Avenue, Road, Close - it is VERY confusing!
It was great to see the Baxter clan again and their Lapland Hut in the back yard is v cool…we all need to get one back home. Inside, there were deer skin seats, and a roaring fire. We all piled in and sang into the wee hours, trying to stay in tune with Alan (not my dad, Amanda’s hubby) who plays the guitar like a pro. There were maracas and bongos amongst other instruments, so we all got to join in.
Finally, at 1am, we decided to call it a night. I was designated driver, so got
to find my way home with all the pissed nits in the back. It was a very BUSY day, but we got through it…although some felt a little worse for wear the following day (MUM). That’s all for now.
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