With the boys and girls of Met Éireann seemingly attempting to have rain fall every day of a miserable January, we pushed our luck weatherwise yet again. As we assembled at what older members call “Ballyseedy”, our leader, Geraldine Conroy, checked her “Rolla” of walkers. The shape of our walk was lasso-like, a linear walk to Harper’s Island Bird Sanctuary and back with a circular walk on the island. Our dining experience was at the “Elm Tree”, Glountaune. (Does anyone else remember “Mr. Mac’s” Garden Centre at the same location?)
Some walkers, pleased to be out in a hopefully dry “window”, told horror stories of driving rain as they made their way to the assembly point. Rain-gear fit to withstand hurricanes seemed much in evidence. We set off with many eyes turned skyward trying to read the likelihood of imminent rain. Others just relaxed but kept their fingers crossed. The received wisdom was that if we did not delay we would be done and back before the blow struck. We set out in good order at a steady pace. On entering tthe Bird Sanctuary it struck us that while the birds were safe we humans were at our most vulnerable at our furthest point from shelter.
The feathered occupants of the island did not burden themselves trying to impress us. The highrise apartments of the sandmartins were abandoned, their key holders away enjoying African sunshine. The island’s lonely deserted farmhouse would have had wonderous tales to tell if our hearing was our super- power.
We walked on for home as the weeather continued to smile. Most stayed to dine and the busy carvery met the needs of some while others availed of table service. The “buzz” was that the food and service were top class. A very minor caveat concerned the Tiramisu…. the promised Jameson “kick” was possibly oversold. Perhaps it was East Cork’s way of reminding us that the real “Jameson Experience” is best had further east in Midleton?
Thank you, Geraldine, for taking us on a January adventure. You took on the weather odds and won. Our visit to the “Elm Tree” was an excellent end of walk destination.
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