Having been incapacitated by rust on the knee, I was unable to walk last week and was therefore delighted that Anne Keville willingly stepped into the breach and supplied not only the photographs for Trassey Track but also most of the accompanying text (the better bits). Well done Anne - many thanks.

Stopping for a rest and enjoying a great view of the Trassey track

Joan, Cecil (hiding) and Reuben a bit further up Bearnagh.

Gordon shepherding the group on the lower slopes of Slieve Bearnagh

Queue for the stile at the Mourne Wall

There were three groups on the day. We went via the Trassey Track then across the lower slopes of Slieve Bearnagh, through the gap between Bearnagh and Meelmore over the Mourne wall and had lunch in the col between Meelmore and Meelbeg. Then it was down the valley behind Meelmore where we met up with the Ulster Way for the last couple of miles back to the carpark.

My Ann accompanied by our friend Leela and a few others did a lower walk, ably led by Andy. While the high-walkers seem to have had some quries concerning map reading, Andy had a disconcerting habit of setting a target for turning back and, once achieved, saying "let's just go on one more bridge". But everyone arrived back happy and well satisfied with the walk and, in the final analysis, isn't that what matters!

CAPTION COMPETITION.

By popular demand we have a new caption competition.

All you have to do is supply an amusing caption for Marina's photograph (left). Entries must be received by Sunday, 13th May and prizes will be awarded to the winner(s) at Ballina. If you're not in you can't win. Email your entry to John at the usual address. Rude entries may be disqualified published on the web site.

Knockmany and Carleton Trail
Bluebell Walk

Knockmany wood, which gets its name from Cnoc Meanach (The Middle Hill), was looking enchanted on the day of our walk, covered in a shimmering blanket of bluebells and Doug couldn't wait to get his boots on and get started, or was he just practicing the hokey cokey, preparing for Ballina?

This was to be a walk that ticked all the boxes. Defying the bleak weather forecast, we enjoyed our walk without a single spot of rain falling on us. We had the beauty of the flora, spectacular views from the top of Knockmany, the archeological jewel that is Knockmany Cairn and for the brave (one might even say foolhardy) a walk through Lumford's Glen - described in the Tyrone Times as far back as November 2009 as "Death trap at Tyrone beauty spot".

Let's start with the cairn which encloses a passage grave comprising 12 massive upright stone slabs, three of which are covered with spirals, cup-marks, serpentines, concentric circles, etc. in a style known at Boyne culture. Unfortunately the site at Knockmany has been enclosed in concrete to protect the decorated stones from name-carvers and other vandals. Known by various names including formerly Annia's Cove, by tradition this is thought to be the burial place of Baine (otherwise known as Aynia or Annia), wife of Tuathal Teachtmhar. 'The Megalithic Sepulchral Chamber of Knockmany, County Tyrone' by W F Wakeman, in the Journal of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland for 1879 gives us this quotation:
	The remarkable megalithic monument to which I refer is situated on the apex of the knock [Knockmany], and is usually styled "Aynia's Cove." Of late years a very great change has occurred in the character of the neighbouring population. Here was the country from which Carleton painted his word-pictures of Irish life and scenery. But "old times are changed, old manners gone." As a rule, within the last thirty years or so the Irish of the district have either died out or emigrated, giving place to strangers, usually Scotchmen. Nevertheless, some little of the old folk-lore, once so prevalent amongst the aborigines, is still extant, and Aynia is remembered as a "witch-wife" bythe Scotch, and as a calliagh, or hag, by the Irish. With all, the hill is a fairy haunt, and woe betide the man, woman, or child, who would dare to lift or break the smallest of the stones which now remain of the "Cove" in which Aynia, who is reported to have been elected queen of the "wee people," is said to have long delighted.
Wakeman also mentions that Knockmany ('half mountain, half knock') is a 'most conspicuous eminence' and 'so effectually surmounts all sheltering hills that it is said a day never comes there is not at least a breeze on its summit.'

Cecil checks that he still has all his fingers.

Maud out in front again.

I could find my way out with my eyes shut!

Iris seated on a new line for Hope Furniture?

Next Walk

Gosford Forest Park
Thursday, 10th May 2012

Because of poor weather forecast for Thursday we intend to stay closer to home and gain a little shelter from the trees at Gosford. Wear your very best weather-proof clothing! To look at walk on the WalkNI web site click here. If you're going directly to the start point rather than leaving from the Jethro Centre drive into the car park at Gosford (off the Armagh/Newry road) - we should arrive at about 10.40am. There is a small charge for parking at Gosford.

Ruth has agreed to open the Girl Guide Centre for lunch (your own, not hers) if the weather is particularly foul.

Walks may change up to 9.00am on day of walk.

email enquiries to johntrimble103@hotmail.com