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| Click on this image for our track in Google Maps |
With a weather that nice, and evenings that long, we aren't going to miss a chance to return to Craigfadda.
Besides, we very much like this place and it'll be a welcome change from when we were freezing our ass off at this same spot, back in March, even if we got some great sunset pictures then.
It also turns out that, after all is said and done, we ended up staying a bit longer here than we originally anticipated...
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| The ever-welcoming path to Craigfadda |
I mean, with an evening bearing such summer-like qualities, how could we not be tempted to stay around for a bit longer. Everything we saw up there was inviting us to stay!
But first, let's backtrack (as well as stealthily switch tenses), since we must begin by disturbing a few sheep before our climb, who probably thought they had nothing left to enjoy for this evening but a peaceful respite, without the annoyance of a bothersome farmer or hillwalker. Apologies to you, my four legged friends, but I do need my fix of fresh air and open vistas. Now, really, there's no need to look at me like that - I'm only passing through there...
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| A rather scornful sheep, trying to intimidate us away from the rest of the flock |
Also, if could you move away from the gate a little?
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| The rest of the flock |
Now that's better... And since I know I'll be walking back through my usual shortcut, I promise I'm not going to disturb you again tonight.
Already, as we pass the gate, we are starting to bask in the ever-awesome views we've come to rely on from this place, of summits slowly fading in the evening haze, as well as the promise of the magnificent spectacle one can only imagine they'd be able to collect from the top of said summits, if one could instantaneously be transported there (AREA 51 people: Where is my free-energy transportation device already!?!):
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| The ever magnificent vistas of the Norh Donegal rolling hills |
One thing I can also tell you is that this path that we know all too well is exceptionally dry today. As a matter of fact, I don't think I can recall many occasions where I didn't have to give a wide berth to the damp area you see below, that can usually be summarized as "a pool of water". This sight too is putting us in a good mood.
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| About as dry as it can ever get in these parts |
With a path this dry, we are soon at the top of Craigfadda, exchanging inquisitive glances with Urris Hills, on the other side of the bay:
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| Fort Dunree and Urris Hills, with Dunaff Head further back |
By Lugh, this evening is just too good, and we don't feel like we have gotten the most of it yet!
Therefiore, we are going to press further, first by walking by the turf trenches on the side of which recently cut peat bricks have been placed to dry:
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| Just your typical turf cutting trench |
Then, after saying a quick hello to the wind turbines, we head further west and over the ridge, to get a better idea of what this little planet has in store for us still, which, apparently is even more generous sights of her striking beauty as she takes an evening bath in the golden dusk:
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| Come on... Do you really need a caption? |
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| Binnacolle ridge |
Now, while we are finally heading to Crockanaffrin (because, of course, we will got to the top of this hill as well), we find ourselves crossing an area that has burned very recently, probably not even as far back as last week:
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| Intentional/non-intentional heather or gorse fires are a real plague across Donegal when the weather is dry |
Thankfully, that fire didn't propagate too far, but, yeah, this dry weather certainly makes these hazards less of an exception and more of an expectation.
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| The cinder remains of the mix of grass and heather than used to stand there |
From the top of Crockanaffrin where we now stand, we capture some more splendid pictures of Mulroy Bay:
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| Horn Head, underlined by the glistening sun |
Then at last, we head to the final destination of our little circuit. But damn are these new barbwire fences, that stand in our way, bothersome!
That's already two in a row we have to climb over whilst coming down from Crockanaffrin (it does helps to be tall), and then we have to make a detour to avoid another two more before we can climb back up towards Craigfadda.
It's almost as if someone really doesn't want us to get close to Lough Anny any more, which is kind of annoying especially as we remember those days, not so long ago, when we used walk along its shores unhindered.
But yes, this time, we will visit its shores... As I mentioned before, even if some people may not appreciate it, I've always seen beauty in this small yet spirited lake, and it has been way too long since I last had a chance to walk close to it.
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| Lough Anny, sitting pretty in the shadows |
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| Another view of Lough Anny in the fading light |
Now, that's better!
Keep adding fences all you want: as long as this lake wants to keep inviting me, I'll find a way to get there, eventually...
And thus, with our dose of Lough Anny, we finally head back.
Suggested Sound Track
Seems fitting. There are plenty more great tracks to be found on the brilliant electronica opus that is Take My Head, but I guess this one will do.
And just like I don't want to overextend on this hike, in order to keep a few things to myself, I'm not going to overextend on my choice of sound track. If you can take something out of it, just enjoy the moment as I did this evening.
Additional Pictures:
