LETJOG E2W – Day 26: Thursday 9 May – ROSSLARE HARBOUR to WELLINGTONBRIDGE (22.4 miles)
Tin men, in Duncormick
My first day in Ireland, and I awoke this morning to spring in the air, which translated nicely into my step once I got walking. It has been about seven years since I was last in Ireland – on a week with my brother Tim, walking the Wicklow Way – but I am always struck by the unique character of the landscape, natural and built, and of the people. The friendliness offered to a stranger is immediate and genuine, and in weather like today’s there are few better places to be out walking.
This map is a little basic, but it shows my route in Ireland to date, in blue highlight, with the loop around Greenore Point last night to the right near Rosslare, and my westward path today through Bridgetown, Duncormick and Wellingtonbridge: I am staying about two miles north of the latter, in a comfortable B&B named The Haven Lodge
The majority of my walk today was on lanes, mainly minor roads that carried only a little local traffic. This is a farming area at a busy time of year, and so there were plenty of tractors to stand aside for, an act that was always met with a wave and a smile, in common with almost every passing car and cyclist. The terrain also welcomed me; this is a gently undulating region, with no significant hills to climb, but with plenty of interest around and over each bend and rise in the lane. Here are the pictures showing how I fared on my first day in Ireland.
I did a double-take at the distances (especially the 198 to Cork that I need to cover in the next week), before realising that they are all in kilometresIreland does not enjoy the network of public footpaths that we are lucky to have in the UK, and even where off-road options were available today the ground was quite waterlogged . . .. . . and I certainly got the message here!Cattle at breakfastFaraway hills to the north, over the meadowsMid-morning, and for a brief while a cooling mist blew in . . .. . . over a sea of mud . . .. . . but just minutes later, in Bridgetown, the sun won through againA handball court: I have not seen one of these in the UK, since watching a couple of matches at The Copperbox in Stratford during the London Olympics in 2012 – it is a fast team sport, popular in many parts of continental Europe and elsewhereA garden pond on a grand scaleRookeries are common here, and are accompanied by much activity and by a cacophony of noise as one approachesMy route took me past three wind farms todayRathangan church and cemetery . . .. . . and St Peter’s Church at DuncormickThis fortress stands near the hamlet of DanescastleSome fine horses . . .. . . and some friends nearby taking an afternoon napMore hills, to the north westA roadside pump on the lane into WellingtonbridgeAt Wellingtonbridge the Owenduff River is tidal . . .. . . and the meanders create a special habitat for wading birds
So today was a long walking day, of over eight hours in total, plus an hour for a very early dinner in Wellingtonbridge, having been warned that this was to be my last opportunity of the day to find sustenance! I have caught a healthy glow from the sun today, and also something of the unique character of Ireland. It is good to be back – and I will conclude with some colour from the waysides.
Today’s Blog heading ‘Walk Away’ is taken, slightly out of context I think, from a 2010 number by Irish rock group The Script. The song was written by two of the founders of the band, Danny O’Donoghue and Mark Sheehan (in association with others), and the track appears on their second studio album ‘Science & Faith’ that reached Number 1 on both sides of the Irish Sea.
With around 250 miles to walk in Ireland, I am going to need a fair bit of strength indeed over the next couple of weeks!
Walking for Fun, Challenge and Charity! 
I’m enjoying your blogs Nick 😍
Sent from my iPhone
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Great to see the colours of Spring by the roadside at the end of today’s blog. It’s a long and winding road – we’re all behind you.
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