NICS Ramblers

The Epson photo website has closed. Photo sets are now stored directly on the NICSRAMBLERS website at a lower resolution and can be accessed by clicking on the photographs below.

SLIEVE GULLION 29 JUNE 08

Eleven members decided to forget the atrocious weather on this walk last year and try again. We were rewarded for our bravery as there were a few short sharp showers during the walk but but we found shelter when needed and the sun shone at the important times, including during the BBQ after the walk. The downpour of 2007 is now just a dim memory!

LAKE DISTRICT 14-21 JUNE 08

About 25 members descended on Keswick to enjoy socialising, walking, tourism and to support the local economy. On the Sunday we walked to the top of Skiddaw(931m) and on Monday Helvellyn(950m). Tuesday's forecast was iffy and some enjoyed a lower level walk whilst others just toured. Wednesday was forecast as a washout for walking but on Thursday we went to Scafell(964m) although a change in the weather stopped some of us reaching the top. On the Friday we split up with some enjoying a walk on Haystacks and then we said our goodbyes on the Saturday and thanked Karen and Eric for organising a very enjoyable holiday.

SALTWATER BRIG AND ISLANDS 25 MAY 08

Denis had promised us a different style of walk, going from Kircubbin along the foreshore to Saltwater Brig. Although nobody brought a shrimping net we did see plenty of sea life in the pools and met several people collecting shellfish or bait. Some of us finished with a late lunch at the Saltwater Brig but on our way home we noticed that our earlier walk route was now under water in places, thank goodness Denis read the tide timetable correctly!

ROSTREVOR CAMPING WEEKEND 16-18 MAY 08

In a change of venue because of the clash with the NW 200 motorbike races, the camping weekend was held for the second year at Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor. In excellent weather five members camped, two caravanned, two caravanned at another site and two softies stayed at a B&B. Several members also travelled down on Saturday for the walk but the main enjoyment was man(or woman) against nature in a fragile tent fortified by quite a lot of alcohol(no driving for the campers etc) and two nights of BBQs. The Friday also marked the birthday of our secretary but because of the fire risk to the tents, the cake was limited to one candle only rather than the ** candles Alison deserved.

SCRABO MIDWEEK WALK 15 MAY 08

Five members and three family guests enjoyed the first midweek evening walk of 2008 at Scrabo Country Park. We walked a figure of eight through the Park, spotting plenty of bluebells as promised by Michael and possibly seeing one squirrel on our two hour stroll.

ISLE OF MAN 4-8 MAY 08

Ten members enjoyed Mediterranean weather on the Isle of Man, staying at the Welbeck Hotel in Douglas and using the varied quaint public transport services to travel to walks in most corners of the island. On the first night we enjoyed Iron Man at the Palace multi-screen (2 screens). On Monday we caught the steam train to Port Erin, walked round the coast to Port St Mary and caught the train back to Douglas. Tuesday we bussed to Glen Mona, walked up to Snaefell Mines and down Laxey Glen to Laxey in time to catch the Mountain Railway to Snaefell summit. Back at Laxey we caught the Manx Electric Railway to Douglas. On Wednesday we bussed to Peel and walked for 9 hours to Port Erin where we had dinner before catching a late bus back to base. On Thursday we had a free morning for shopping before the afternoon ferry back to Belfast. Over three days we walked almost 40 miles and didn't I say that the sun shone all the time?

GLENSHANE 19 APR 08

For a change of venue we decided to walk from Glenshane Forest across Bohilbreaga, Mullaghmore, White Mountain, Glenshane Mountain and White Mountain. Fourteen members enjoyed a fine day's walk which finished with a visit to the nearby Oakleaf restaurant. I was unable to attend so thanks to Ken for taking over at short notice, to Ivan for taking the photos and to Forest Service for access to the forest.

Thanks also to John McIntyre who has sent me a link to his photos on the Flickr site. Follow this link to view his photos.

NEWRY CANAL TOWPATH 30 MAR 08

For our Sunday walk in March, fifteen gathered at Newry to follow the towpath to Scarva under Jenny's leadership. This was the first day of British Summer Time and typically we enjoyed a bright dry morning, occasional afternoon showers and the walk finished with a hail shower (at least our weather isn't boring). An enjoyable day which finished with a meal at the Downshire Arms in Banbridge.

ST PATRICK'S DAY WALK 17 MAR 08

Although not an official club walk, about 20 members turned out at the Slaney Inn for the annual walk organised jointly by Down District Council and Lecale Ramblers, thanks to both organisations for the hard work. We enjoyed a splendid sunny day's walk and a free drink at the secret refreshment area and some of us ended our day at the Cuan in Strangford for a very enjoyable meal.

CAIRNCASTLE TO GLENARM 24 FEB 08

Despite the poor forecast earlier in the week, 15 gathered for the walk from Cairncastle to Glenarm. The day was mainly dry but cold and windy and the ground was drier than expected. The pace was brisk (maybe to keep warm) and we added in a walk through Glenarm Glen to ensure that we weren't too early arriving at the Halfway House for a very enjoyable meal (hopefully we will return).

BLOODY BRIDGE - ANNALONG BUTTRESS 9 FEB 08

On a glorious sunny February morning nearly 30 members gathered at Bloody Bridge to follow the river valley up to the Wall, past Rocky to Hares Castle and then north alongside the Annalong River to the Brandy Pad and back round to Bloody Bridge. A long but very enjoyable day which finished with yet another meal at the Avoca.

AGM 18 JAN 08

The NICS Ramblers AGM was held on Friday 18 January 2008 in the Stormont Pavilion. The AGM business was quickly completed followed by a buffet meal and then a presentation by Ed Kilgore of Mourne Mountain Rescue. Ken passed a donation of £900 to Ed on behalf of the club and the Sports Association. The evening was completed with a dance event (see the photos rather than me explain).

SLIEVE DONARD 12 JAN 08

On Saturday 12 January about 2 dozen gathered to climb Donard via Thomas's Mountain and then descend to Bloody Bridge. We started as one group but then split into supposed slow and quick groups but really the slow group had to keep stopping to avoid overtaking the "quick" group. The upper slopes of Donard still had plenty of snow and ice which added to the challenge of the day. About a dozen finished off the day with a meal at the Avoca.

TOLLYMORE 8 DEC 07

We were due to walk up Banns Road to Lough Shannagh and over Carn but the widespread floods meant that we abandoned this idea and diverted to Trassey car park. From there we followed the lane into Tollymore Forest Park and walked round the Long Haul trail and a bit more, meeting another walking club in one of the shelters who had also abandoned their original route. A dreadful day weatherwise but ten members still enjoyed their walk.

KEARNEY 25 NOV 07

For a change of location we headed down the Ards Peninsula to the National Trust village of Kearney for a stroll along the coast. The walk was a bit shorter than normal and we had time to stop at Ardminnan golf course for a mid-afternoon drink before heading home.

VAMPIRES AT STORMONT?
23 NOVEMBER 07

Or was it just a case of Dirty or Dodgey Dancing? The 10th Anniversary of the club was marked by a dinner/disco at Stormont Pavilion. The evening was excellent (thanks to Alison M for organising) with a good meal, a good disco but some questionable dancing (and not just by Ken!). Looking forward to the next 10 years.

MOURNE WALKS 10 NOV 07

There were two walks on the day, a B walk for 6 members from Newcastle over Donard and a C walk for 18 members from Bloody Bridge to the Wall, along the Brandy Pad and down the Glen River to Newcastle. By co-incidence the two groups met up beside the Glen River and finished the walks together.

ARDS TO HELEN'S BAY 28 OCT 07

On Sunday 28 October we had planned a walk from Scrabo but access problems meant a change of route. Instead we walked from the Somme Centre through the leadmines, Clandeboye estate and Crawfordsburn to Helen's Bay. We enjoyed an afternoon coffee break at the Crawfordsburn visitor centre and after the walk some of us finished off at Wetherspoons in Ards where we enjoyed a roast dinner and a pint for £5.50, where is the profit margin?

GORTAHORK, DONEGAL 19-21 OCT 07

This year's autumn break was at the Ostan Loch Altan Hotel in Gortahork from 19th to 21st October. On the Saturday we climbed Muckish in bright autumn sunshine and on the Sunday we climbed Errigal, still in the dry but cooler and much windier. The strong wind made the narrow ridge more adventurous but we didn't lose any members over the edge. An enjoyable last trip of the year.

HADRIAN'S WALL 6-12 SEPT 07

Eight of us enjoyed a 6-day coast-to-coast walk across Northern England from Wallsend on the east coast to Bowness-on-Solway on the west coast, with the historical backdrop of the Wall as an added bonus. Yet again September was kind to us on a holiday and we endured seven days of sunshine with half an hour of mizzle on one afternoon. In summary we walked hard, ate well and drank plenty. Thanks to Sinead, Jenny, Jim, Michael, Trevor, George and Brian for their company and craic. If you are offered the chance to walk in this area, take it!

ISLANDMAGEE & BBQ - 26 AUGUST 07

For our August Sunday walk Michael invited the club to Islandmagee to enjoy a walking tour of the "Island" and we completed our day with a BBQ hosted by Michael and Helen at their holiday retreat.

BIRD MOUNTAINS - 11 AUGUST 07

On Saturday 11 August we substituted our original walk (access problems) with a visit to the Bird Mountains (Hen, *ock and Pigeon Rock). Despite a poor forecast (poor weather, the forecast itself was accurate unfortunately for us) a large group turned out for the intended B and C walks but we sensibly stayed together as one group for the C walk and finished off at our "second home" in Maghera.

NORTH ANTRIM CHALLENGE
4-5 AUGUST 07

The challenge was to raise money for Mountain Rescue. We stayed at Ballycastle, walking from Portballintrae to Ballintoy on the Saturday and on Sunday the "Bangor Four" walked to Fair Head while the softies went home after breakfast.