{"id":5813,"date":"2026-03-23T19:13:28","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T19:13:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/?page_id=5813"},"modified":"2026-03-23T19:14:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T19:14:08","slug":"minerstown-to-dundrum","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/ulster\/minerstown-to-dundrum\/","title":{"rendered":"Minerstown to Dundrum"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>23rd March 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ten degrees but with a bitterly cold south-west wind &#8211; making if feel about two &#8211; in my face most of the day apart from the few miles from Ballykinler to Blackstaff.<br>I scooted up the private lane to the caravan park and on to the beach which saved me a bit of road.<br>Carrying on from where I finished with the Newcastle Way in Dundrum, the next few days will take in some of the Lecale Way as I follow the Ulster Way to Strangford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_134336-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5798\" srcset=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_134336-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_134336-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_134336-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_134336-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_134336-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Minerstown Tavern and a grey start.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_135052-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5797\" srcset=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_135052-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_135052-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_135052-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_135052-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_135052-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The mournes hiding behind the clouds and its grey upon grey.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_135917-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5811\" srcset=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_135917-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_135917-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_135917-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_135917-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_135917-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">To which we add the grey path.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_140458-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5810\" srcset=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_140458-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_140458-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_140458-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_140458-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_140458-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Can we see the Waffen SS coming ashore at Minerstown Head? I think they&#8217;d laugh.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_141906-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5809\" srcset=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_141906-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_141906-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_141906-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_141906-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_141906-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tryella empty, but previous.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_143339-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5808\" srcset=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_143339-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_143339-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_143339-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_143339-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_143339-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Leaving Tyrella, didn&#8217;t find them.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_145804-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5807\" srcset=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_145804-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_145804-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_145804-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_145804-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_145804-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">What size the jockeys?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_150026-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5796\" srcset=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_150026-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_150026-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_150026-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_150026-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_150026-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Banging up the tarmac for a few.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_153424-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5795\" srcset=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_153424-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_153424-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_153424-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_153424-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_153424-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Clouds lifting a little.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_154116-1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5804\" srcset=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_154116-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_154116-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_154116-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_154116-1-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_154116-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dundrum across the bay but its a long way round for me.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_160903-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5803\" srcset=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_160903-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_160903-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_160903-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_160903-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_160903-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Obviously, the Land Rover repair business needs a little repair.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_162505-1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5802\" srcset=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_162505-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_162505-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_162505-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_162505-1-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_162505-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">On the neep tide the balls gather.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_162529-1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5801\" srcset=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_162529-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_162529-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_162529-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_162529-1-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_162529-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ah. Nearly gone.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_163857-1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_163857-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_163857-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_163857-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_163857-1-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_163857-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The old train tracks that once linked Downpatrick with Newcastle and took the city scum to the beach. We never looked back.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_165429-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5790\" srcset=\"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_165429-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_165429-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_165429-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_165429-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260323_165429-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">There ya go, just a mile from the finish.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I&#8217;m a dozy f&#8217;er. I keep picking hotels before checking to see if they either have a restauant open the night of my stay or, serve breakfast. I missed out on both on this one. I hate having to go out after my most necessary shower and warm up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>23rd March 2026 Ten degrees but with a bitterly cold south-west wind &#8211; making if feel about two &#8211; in my face most of the day apart from the few miles from Ballykinler to Blackstaff.I scooted up the private lane to the caravan park and on to the beach which saved me a bit of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":661,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5813","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5813","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5813"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5813\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5815,"href":"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5813\/revisions\/5815"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/661"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/picton-lynas.co.uk\/walkingblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5813"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}