Pics from a Sunday walk.

Another beautiful sunny day today. After picking Andy up from the airport after his weekend trip to Bristol I decided to head off to the shores of Lough Meelagh to join the Woodland Walks, Bards and Picnics outing.  Sadly it was just myself and John Willmott…that however did nothing to lessen the enjoyment.

The pathway is all along the shore of the lake…it would once have been a pleasure walk for the inhabitants of nearby Kilronan Castle…the landed gentry. We ambled along companionably stopping to take photos or admire some wonder of Nature like this lovely Oak. It must have been coppiced years ago to have grown 4 strong stems.

Further on this lovely Beech.

Further still and we came to “The Big Tree.” John said last time he was here there was a sign here with The Big Tree written on it. It really is a very big tree…

but somehow my photos don’t do it justice. It is a Californian Sequoia…pretty rare in this neck of the woods.

Beautiful bark.

We followed the signs to the place called The Edge of the World.

Interesting stones here and the soothing sound of gently lapping water.

We sat awhile enjoying the view out to Orchard Island.

I love the smooth bark on this Beech tree.

This one seems to be growing from rock.

After our picnic we stopped at St. Lassiar’s Well where our eyes were drawn to how the setting Sun lit up part of the nearby graveyard.

From the graveyard Lough Meelagh and the setting Sun in all their beautiful glory.

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In Raheens Wood.

Yesterday found myself and a couple of friends in Raheens Wood near Castlebar in Co. Mayo. Officially opened by the Taoiseasch on March 3rd of this year it is a collaboration between Coillte and Mayo County Council under the Neighbourwood project.

Lovely to catch the Bluebells in their fading splendour.

This area has been woodland since the 1840s. Lots of coppiced Hazel here which are very accessible for nut collecting if theres a crop this year.

Lots of lovely old Oaks here too.  Ash, Alder, Willow and Birch all contribute to make this a very pleasant woodland walk. It’s very civilised with proper paths and strategically placed seats and picnic tables.

Beautiful countryside views  from the highest point in the woodland. That’s Lough Lannagh in the distance.

It’s at this spot where the Taoiseach planted a commerative Oak tree on the opening day. There’s also a picnic table and seats here. In retrospect it would have been a better picnic spot than the one we chose lower in the woods. We had to make a quick retreat from there as the midges were crazy.

In the distance one can see the now ruined Palladian mansion that would once have been the focal point of this area. As is often  the case the trees are the more lasting living legacy from this era.

I love how this tree has been moulded by the wind and the lie of the land…

so much more fitting into the landscape than this monstrocity to some long dead person of importance.

Remember folks next Sunday, June 9th, is National Walk in the Woods Day.  It is the Irish people’s chance to let the Government know that “OUR FORESTS ARE NOT FOR SALE.” To find out more about the day and a walk near you go to http://www.bardsinthewoods.com.