The raging of storm “Betty” across the country throughout the previous night had left many of our members doubting whether we would be able undertake our ‘Sole Mates’ walk on Saturday 19 August.
In the event, by the time we all met in the church carpark on Saturday morning, the wind and rain had died away and we were able to make our way in shared cars to the Minnowburn area of the Lagan Valley Regional Park, Belfast.
Not surprisingly the water levels of the Minnowburn, and the River Lagan itself, were much higher than normal. Fortunately this didn’t impede our progress along part of the riverbank and up through the adjoining woodland where meandering paths led us between local fields to reach the Giant’s Ring. This is a neolithic earthwork some 180m (590ft) in diameter, with a small passage tomb at its centre, thought to date from before the time of the Egyptian pyramids.
By now, glorious sunshine accompanied our circular route back to the car park taking us past the Sandpit Field and the old Terrace Gardens of Terrace Hill House. All in all, a lovely mornings stroll, despite the ominous forebodings of the night before.
Our next walk is scheduled for Saturday 16 September 2023 through part of Tollymore Forest Park on the edge of the beautiful Mourne Mountains in County Down. All are welcome to join us.
Check out stmoluasonline.com/walking-group/ for more information and updates.
