Having installed an imaginative and hard working committee the day before at the AGM, we headed for Tomies Wood in carefree mode. Well not totally so, the awfulness of the situation in Palestine/Israel was not far from anyone’s mind. Tabhair dúinn Síocháin.
Mags as “midwife” to the group delivered 26 walkers, and Denis our leader for the walk, had chosen the perfect late autumn location.
On entering the wood, we began a gentle but steady climb that opened our lungs and each “in-breath” was balm to the mind and the body. When we took a breather, Loch Léin on our left was calm, and the nuggets of information we heard were as interesting and varied as the islands in the lake below us. Innisfallen Island that was once home to a monastic settlement numbered Brian Ború as a past pupil. The dreaded rhododendron, (whisper it -we still love its blossoms) has conquered large tracts above the lake despite the heroic work of people like Frances, one of our group. With others she physically laboured against it when it was first identified as an out of control invasive enemy in Killarney.
On we walked, the air crisp and dry, but our exercise kept us comfortably warm. Despite the many steps down, and later back up, all were keen to see O’Sullivan’s Cascade. Following the prodigious amounts of recent rain the modest Cascade was showing cataract ambitions. When measuring waterfalls, I guess cascades/cataracts is in the eye of the beholder!
Picnicking near running water has its charms but it is not without its hazards. It can induce temporary incontinence in seniors so we did not tarry over our picnic!
Soon we were back on track full of praise for Denis, who had picked the right walk for the right day. Given the time of year we had the woods to ourselves and ample nearby parking.
Any outing that includes a communal meal in “The Mills”, Baile Bhúirne, is most likely a sure winner. The shiny new bypass had speeded our journey West. Returning, finding the turn off for “The Mills” kept us alert. The “hairpin” like turn off was not the easiest to negotiate. It would be a huge pity if the locally famed white deer of Naomh Gobnait were to be replaced by an Eilifint Bán, where so many happy meals were consumed. RTAI members were given our own section in the restaurant with very efficient service. Good company proved excellent sauce for our meal, and Brigid told us that Friday nights are really special at “The Mills” for the best of music and song. Our walking season had come to its end on yet another high note.
The “Think-in” re next year’s walking calendar will take place on Thursday 11th January, at 12 noon, in SMA Wilton.
BÍ ANN GAN TEIP!
Seán Ó Callanáin
RTAI CORK BLOG - Suíomh na Múinteoirí Scortha Chorcaí 