SKL's Walking Blog

Bogie Line and Drinneevar Loop

Friday the 16th of September 2022, evicted from my comfortable abode by my youngest daughter for who knows what witchery. I find myself in the Harbour House Inn in Newcastle Co. Down. 
It is a pleasant evening with a light breeze and I'm about to do a few miles in the hills starting at 6.00PM - I should know better - but what's life without a little risk.
The first part is straight up the hill, which I hate. I can't seem to get my 2nd wind and end up head down, counting my rapidly reducing steps and promising myself I'll stop and rest after another 100 or so.
I lie. Eventually the metabolism switches on and that lovely feeling comes over me. My head comes up and my stride lengthens a bit and before I know it, the top is reached.
By no means the hill eating machine of my youth I nonetheless feel great that the mechanism is still there to answer the call.

The Bogie line follows the path of an old funicular railway. A clear path straight up the hill with granite steps and gravel.

At the top and glad of it. The sun dappled Dundrum bay below.

The mountain hill quarry. My path turns left along the edge of the woods.

I always wonder. How? It looks like a tropical stranger. A beautiful little tree has made it in the lee of the hill. Is it botanical vandalism?

Remember to stop and reward yourself with a view or two. Newcastle and Dundrum, and the hotel I should have been in, enjoying a nice swim afterwards.

Along the edge of the woods and down to the sea front again, As always, I am amazed at the men who worked in such places. Must have risen at dawn to climb the hill to the quarry to get the day’s work started.

For Jordan. The men and women of the 4th Service. Flag at half-mast.