Sleibhte North
1st April 2000
Sleibhte North took us across the border, up to the Mountains of Mourne and Sliabh Donard. The bus departed as usual form the Customs House with the gang from Donnybrook, Lusk, Corduff, Kilmacudd and Inchicore. With a few pit stops along the way the bus driver managed to squeeze his way through the gates of Tollymore Forest Park. This was to be our picturesque, if somewhat damp home for the duration of the stay. On Friday evening we pitched our tents on the flattest bit of slope we could find and welcomed the rest of the gang who arrived from Tallaght, Limerick, Enniskillen and Irvinstown, we gathered around Irvinstown's kettle and waited the arrival of 12 o'clock on whose arrival "Happy Birthday" was sung and a few of the 21 kisses were administered. And happy out we retired to our tents in anticipation of BOD's hike the following day.
On top of Carrauntuail
at Sleibhte South : Aine & Darragh.
On
Saturday morning after all the breakfasts were eaten we loaded ourselves into
the vehicles and headed for the hills. After a meeting with "One man and
his dog", and taking the necessary photos we set off to conquer Donard.
There was the usual muck, chat and puddles along the route and we pretty much
stuck together until the Mourne wall and then the mad lot led by Bodus Maximums
ascended to take on a few ore peaks and the rest of our merry rabble continued
along the path and took in the breathtaking view of the reservoir. We met up
with the mad lot and lunched with them beside the wall before climbing to the
summit. It was misty and wet and quite cold but everyone was prepared to
stay for a few photos. Unfortunately cameras were not the only thing carried to
the top of the mountain.....somehow the lovely ladies from Lusk managed to
smuggle 1/2 a dozen eggs and they took great enjoyment in covering the birthday
girl with the eggs, quite the best present she received I can assure you. The descent
was wet and misty but we encountered some enthusiastic Duke of Edinburough
award participants who turned out to be sharing the campsite with us.
We arrived in Newcastle and the drivers departed to get the cars and we took the opportunity to grab a bag of chips and catch up on the rugby. On return to the campsite we made the dinner and sheltered from the weather in the kitchen where the usual impromptu sing-song began and lasted long into the night. We were joined once again by our friends from the Duke of Edinburough award who joined us in a tune. We retired to the tents all sung out and tried to get some shut eye amidst the downpour. Thankfully the rain eased off on Sunday morning enough for us to pack up the gear and we jumped on the bus and headed back to the republic. A good weekend all round and once again despite the weather we managed to have a ball and conquer the
Ulster's highest peak. Roll on
Sléibhte West........
Treasa.
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Issue 19, May 2000In-Vent Copyright 1991-2000 SICSI Venturer Department
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