The Galtees offer lots of walking variety and challenge. Being within easy reach of Cork City they have given us many a happy day out. The Coombaun walk, chosen for us and led by Joan McCann, Jim and Joan Harrington, was well pitched to our ability, proving an excellent workout and appetite sharpener. While not everyone is assured re right and left the concepts of up and down seem pretty universal. On our Coombaun walk we took strict instructions re right turn/left turn. The question as to whether we were climbing or descending seemed to acquire a new ambiguity. Still we followed on taking piles of no-notice re up/down and trusting our leaders and our legs to get us there and back. They did!
It’s great as always to see some regulars turn up. The influx of more recently retired members is gratifying to those who organise and lead our outings. One hopes new folk feel welcomed as they adjust to new ways of being post school life. Retired teachers have a great store of “war stories from the trenches” of their working lives. Such tales are often told with conviction “ Ní bheidh ár leithéidí arís ann”.
As Joan counted our numbers at each rest stop the relief of finding “all present and correct” is not to be discounted. A story heard on The Claragh Loop some time ago had a novel twist re the number of pupils getting off the returned school tour bus – one pupil too many!
After years of quality service The Firgrove Hotel might be designated the RTAI Embassy in the area. It makes the ideal gathering spot, pit stop and place to eat and debrief. The hardworking staff served us fine food, efficient and good-humoured service. At the checkout cash was king due to a faulty plastic money machine. Hopefully some good honest folk won’t appear on “Crime-Call” because their euro never got through.
Much thanks to all who made it a wonderful day out!
Seán Ó Callanáin
Thanks to Martin for the photos
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RTAI CORK BLOG - Suíomh na Múinteoirí Scortha Chorcaí 