NICS Ramblers

This page contains photos between September 2009 and October 2010.

BLUE STACKS, DONEGAL 15-17 OCT 10

For our 2010 autumn weekend Ken organised a stay in Donegal town to walk in the Blue Stacks. He contacted the local Bluestack Ramblers for advice on walks and Anne Leonard kindly sent him details of some walks, met us on the Friday evening to discuss the route for our Saturday walk and invited us to join their club walk on the Sunday. Thanks to the Bluestack Ramblers for their friendly welcome and we hope to return the favour soon.

RATHLIN ISLAND 26 SEPT 10

Following an adjustment to the programme we visited Rathlin for our Sunday walk. Possibly because of the late change only four members turned out to enjoy a lovely autumn day on the island, a smooth sunny crossing both ways on the new fast ferry and a return walk to the West Lighthouse plus some encounters with non-feathered animals. We finished our trip with coffee and apple tart in a Ballycastle cafe.

BLACK FOREST AUGUST 10

In late August 2010 a large group enjoyed a holiday at the Pension Williams in Seebach in the Black Forest region of Germany. Thanks to Jim Hamilton who took these photos for allowing me to use them and his captions.

SEEFINS 7 AUG 10

The weather forecast was spot on for this Saturday walk, occasional showers in the morning but improving for the afternoon. We gathered at Rourke's Park and then walked past the Seefins to Rocky and then across to Chimney Rock and Spences Mountain before our eventual return to our cars at Rourke's Park. Nearing the end of our walk we were fortunate to catch glimpses of the Red Arrows display at Newcastle.

BANAGHER 23 MAY 10

This Sunday the club revisited Banagher for a relatively gentle stroll of about 9 miles circumnavigating the Altnaheglish Resevoir and perambulating through the Banagher Glen Nature Reserve. The bluebells were stunning.(thanks to Ivan for the photos and these words)

MOURNES WEEKEND 7-9 MAY 10

Last summer Michael organised a Ramblers Holidays trip to Monte Rosa for some members who were joined by some English walkers. Mike then arranged a reunion weekend for the complete party in the Mournes and some walks which were open to all club members. Thanks again to Ivan for these photos.

NEWTON STEWART WEEKEND 30 APR - 2 MAY 10

The trip in 2009 was so successful that the trip was repeated in 2010. Thanks to Ivan for these photos from the first day and the climb of The Merrick on the second day.

BINEVENAGH 25 APR 10

For this Sunday walk, Carol led a walk up Binevenagh. Thanks to Ivan for these photos.

SUTHERLAND, N.W. SCOTLAND 17-24 APR 10

Thankfully Colin decided to take our cars on the ferry rather than fly to Inverness and hire cars, otherwise this trip wouldn't have happened. The weather was much colder than we expected for the week but we managed to walk most days, highlights being the Quinag Ridge, Suilven and Stac Pollaidh. The group stayed at the Inchnadamph Lodge, four staying in the main hostel building and six staying in the adjoining River Cottage.

MOURNES 17 APR 10

For this Saturday walk Ken led a large turnout from Meelmore Lodge up Spellack, Meelmore, along the Wall to Slieve Loughshannagh, over Doan and past Fofanny Reservoir to the car park. Thanks to Ivan and Mary for passing me these photos as I was driving through Scotland this day, heading for Sutherland(see separate entry).

CARLINGFORD 03 APR 10

For Easter Saturday we returned to Carlingford for our annual pilgrimage to the top of Carlingford Mountain to enjoy the great views of the Lough below, Newry river and canal leading up to Newry city and the Mourne mountain range across the Lough. The weather had been atrocious earlier in the week but we enjoyed a kinder mixture of weather during our walk, sunshine at times but also showers and a short spell of hail. We finished the day with a good meal at PJ's for the majority of the group.

QUOILE, DOWNPATRICK 28 MAR 10

This Sunday walk started from the Quoile Countryside Centre just north of Downpatrick and followed the Quoile river north initially and then south towards Downpatrick to Inch Abbey for a lunch break before returning to the Countryside Centre. Thanks to Ivan for these photographs.

NORTH COAST 13-14 MAR 10

Two walks were arranged for this weekend, Giants Causeway to Ballintoy on the Saturday and a circular walk from Ballycastle towards Fair Head and back on the Sunday, with an optional overnight at Ballintoy. Over twenty turned out for the Saturday walk with a dozen staying on in Ballintoy for an enjoyable meal and an entertaining evening in the bar(music, football highlights, drink and dancing; what more could a man want?).

OTT, CARN, LOUGH SHANNAGH 13 FEB 10

The weather forecast for this Saturday had been promising for several days and this probably helped prompt the large turnout of over 20 members, plus naturally the charismatic leaders Steve and Eric. We met at the carpark below Butter and climbed past Ott to the Mourne Wall which we then followed towards Carn. The B and C groups had walked together to here but the B group then sped ahead(exaggeration) whilst the C group walked on to Carn, then Muck and descended to circle Lough Shannagh before climbing again to the Wall and the final descent to the cars. An enjoyable crisp day in bright sunshine and thankfully little wind.

AGM 29 JAN 10

On the Friday evening there was a high turnout of members at the Pavilion to witness the AGM business being speedily concluded (office bearers now Alison Millar(chair),Jim Hamilton(sec),Geoffrey Crossey(treas)); followed by an excellent talk by Dr Nigel Hart who described his participation in the Caudwell Xtreme 2007 Everest expedition. After the meal a ballot was held with the proceedings to be donated to the Haiti Appeal. The evening concluded with an absolutely outstanding table quiz organised by your unassuming and modest webmaster.

HOLYWOOD TO BANGOR 24 JAN 10

For this Sunday walk we met at Bangor station and caught the train to Holywood with the attraction that the club would pay the train fares. There were eleven members on the walk but the club only needed to buy four tickets, thanks to the 60+ card(actually a few members only joined us at Holywood). The weather was never great but was not as bad as the forecast had suggested which had caused some members to pull out of the walk, don't always blindly believe the weather forecast! We stopped in Crawfordsburn Country Park for our lunch and finished the walk with a spot of history at Bangor Heritage Centre(there is also a rather nice cafe).

STRANGFORD - CASTLE WARD 25 OCT 09

After a couple of demanding Saturday walks it was a change to enjoy a pleasant Sunday stroll commencing at Strangford village. From there we walked along the lanes to Castle Ward Estate and stopped at the Big House, well the courtyard, for our lunch. We then walked through the estate as far as Audley's Castle before returning through the estate to Strangford. As part of the club's efforts to restart the world's economies we then felt required to stop at a tearoom in Strangford and enjoy coffee, apple tart and ice cream; that's a green shoot planted in Strangford.

BELCOO, FERMANAGH 16-18 OCT 09

On the Friday we drove down to Belcoo to spend the weekend at the Customs House Inn, an excellent recommendation. On the Saturday we parked near Marble Arch and walked to the top of Cuilcagh and then returned via the Florence Court estate, a hike of about 12 miles, mainly over blanket bog. On the Saturday evening we celebrated our achievement and then wound down on Sunday with a gentle stroll round Florence Court estate before heading for home.

MONEYNEENY 27 SEPT 09

We headed back to the Sperrins for a second visit in September, this time meeting in Moneyneeny to walk over Crockmore, Crockback and Spelhoagh before returning to Moneyneeny. Again the weather was kind to us, staying dry all day although cooling down in the afternoon wind. We finished off the day with a meal at the Rural College.

GLENSHANE 19 SEPT 09

We headed northwest to the Glenshane Pass for this Saturday's walk, meeting at the restaurant at the foot of the Pass for refreshments and a last comfort stop before driving on to Glenshane Forest. We then walked through the forest onto the hills; crossing over Bohilbreaga, Mullaghmore, White Mountain, Glenshane Mountain and Corick Mountain before returning to the forest and our cars. The majority of the group then enjoyed a meal at the restaurant before departing home.

PICOS DE EUROPA, N SPAIN 29 AUG-8 SEPT

For the last major club holiday in 2009, a group headed off to the Picos de Europa region of Northern Spain. From all accounts a good time was enjoyed by everyone. Thanks to Ivan for providing these photos.