Dave Byrnes

Round Ireland - 2016

Overview Planned Schedule Map Diary Pictures

Day:	012
Date:	Tuesday, 5 April 2016
Start:	Clogheen
Finish:	Fermoy
Daily Kilometres:	40
Total Kilometres:	377
Weather:	Cold to cool with a mix of sunshine and cloud
Accommodation:	Abbeyville House B&B
Nutrition:	Breakfast: Full Irish Breakfast Lunch: Biscuits and chocolate Dinner: Spring rolls, chicken and cashews, white rice, and tarts
Aches:	Feet sore again
Highlight:	Crossing the higher elevations of Crow Hill on a beautiful morning
Lowlight:	The B&B owner's dog jumping up on my pack and tearing a hole (5cm) in my pack raincover as I left
Pictures:	Here
GPS Track:	Here
Journal:	I couldn't find a B&B closer than about 40km away after a long Google search last night, so knew I had another long day in prospect. Georgina's dog was again making a nuisance of herself while I had breakfast and then jumped up on the back of my pack as I was leaving and I later discovered a new tear in the pack cover. Not happy! Apart from that, however, I had a good morning. I've finished the Munster Way and am now on the Blackwater Way (aka Avondhu Way) and the day started with a gentle, but long climb on a little-used road, initially through farms and old forests, and later up on to the moors. it was a clear day, the walking was easy and I savoured the views and solitude. At the top of the climb, the trail left the road and followed a rough path across the moors near the top of Crow Hill. Although it was boggy underfoot, the going was quite easy and the excellent views to the south continued. Eventually the trail returned to farm paths and minor roads at a lower elevation, but still pleasant walking. By this time, my feet were starting to complain, and sadly the scenery interest declined at the same time. The next few hours were spent trudging along endless relatively flat paths through pine plantations. My focus began to be on how far I had to go, but I've learnt that it's rarely less than I think, so I tried to be realistic. Apparently, there is a military camp near Kilworth, and at one point in the forest I encountered a Firing Range warning sign, though my trail turned off to safety. The scenery improved as the trail followed a pretty stream through old growth forest and I eventualy reached Kilworth, which I estimated to be about 4km from my destination. Unnervingly, I saw a sign 15 minutes later saying it was 6 kilometres to Fermoy, but happily it proved to be wrong. I finally entered the busy town of Fermoy and found my B&B without trouble at 6:30pm. I was very happy to finish. After a shower I walked into the old town, crossing the Blackwater River, and bought some Chinese take-out and a few snacks for dinner. My feet are ready for a shorter day tomorrow.