Blarney and district has lost none of its charm. Our walk there recently found us among throngs of overseas visitors as we assembled at the restaurant door. With just over 20 walkers we were a compact group but first we had to bully an automatic gate so that we could set off. As we headed for Waterloo the many trees we passed were beginning to show off their autumnal dresses. The weather proved kind on this occasion in contrast to our last time here. Then, as we had begun our walk, a deluge inflicted a heavy dropout of numbers.
Mary Fitzgerald led from the front at a well chosen pace. She kept an eye out that the apprentice sweeper was up to the task. Many volumes have been written on leadership and we in the RTAI are blessed in ours. A PhD awaits the insightful person who captures the essence of a good sweeper. The four back markers on this walk displayed admirable multitasking skills. While solving the presidency of the U.S. and of Ireland and the challenges facing the new Pope they displayed a mild bolshiness to being swept. Thus the apprentice sweeper was left in an ever ready state of being about to crack the metaphorical whip without having to do so.
Seán ÓCallanáin
P.s. Surely it’s permissible for a sweeper to fire a warning shot when a walker’s laces come undone more than once?
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