It rained overnight and rain was still with us in the morning. The day was supposed to be “easy” as the trail follows the canal towpath.
13.37 miles, rain on and off, 32 feet elevation gain, 57 degrees, 92% humidity.
Click to get Richard’s ReLive video: https://www.relive.com/view/vYvEGV1Y8w6
There was never time nor good enough weather to take a picture of this overnight accommodation. However, it is a grand old house filled with antiques and wonderful decor, so it deserves recognition.
Helen fixed a wonderful Irish breakfast. It is her day to babysit her youngest grandson, Robbie, so we got to meet him as well. She dropped us off at the beginning of today’s walk, an old lock keeper’s house at Acton.
Here is another of the Bank of Scotland’s posts for the National Cycling Network. Today’s walk on the canal towpath must be popular as it is straight and level. Even on a Wednesday, we saw bikers.
Here is another welcome site that probably comes with the National Cycling Network: public toilets! They are clean and stocked.
Goodbye Poyntzpass.
The canal is overgrown and its locks are unused, but it is a haven for the birds and a beautiful walk.
The towpath is still shared with cars, but thankfully it is locals and not trucks nor farm equipment. As you can see, there is not much room on the path to avoid bikers and cars.
I could not figure out this large barn on the hill. Is it a coop, a corporate farm, or a family-owned farm? Mostly we have seen family farms and although their homes and outbuildings are sometimes grand, this one seems exceptionally large.
Klaus passed us on the path. He had come further than we have come today, and seemed ready to move on to Newry.
The swans seemed particularly happy in the canal.
Most of the bridges crossing the canal were in disrepair, but this one seemed in good use. Only three more miles to go!
We met Dezi on the path walking Rocco. He proudly told us all about the area. He is retired and walks his daughter’s dog each day. Unfortunately his brogue was thick and my ears are untuned, so if I understood 25% it was good. He was patient and he made the time pass more quickly.
We’re getting closer to Newry, and the river has dumped into the canal.
The locks are also in better repair. We have seen signs that the canal may be restored for recreation.
Arrived at the hotel (along with a tour bus). The town museum closes at 4:30 so we have to hustle to get there.
We arrived with 3 minutes to spare! Joanne let us in and allowed a very quick run through.
The Cathedral of Saints Patrick and Colman towers in the Newry skyline. It was built in 1829, and is COI (Church Of Ireland). Our visit too was short, as it was closing time.
The town hall of Newry.
Declan was driving by and asked if we needed help. He parked his car and showed us the stamp location for our pilgrim passports. It turns out that he had helped Klaus a few minutes earlier. He is excited that he will be visiting family in the San Francisco area in November.
We had dinner back at the hotel and made it an early evening. Richard had pork belly and Jan had beef pasta.
4 Responses
Back to the countryside. One part of your adventure that we enjoy following is the interaction with the locals. They seem so friendly and so wanting to be helpful everywhere you’ve been this trip. I think it is also because you and Richard are so friendly and “out there” too. I also know the feeling of trying to understand what rural local people are saying as their accents are usually more prevalent. On our trips where people had strong accents (which is just about everywhere) I usually gave up, nodded my head, and then asked Wendy what was happening. Seems like the weather isn’t quite as extreme. That was really something earlier in your trip.
Dan and Wendy
I’m glad you and other folks are recognizing how much we love talking to the locals as well as other pilgrims. Even when it’s difficult to understand, we get something out of the conversation even if just a laugh when they recognize that I haven’t understood—and it’s English! We do a lot of laughing.
The weather has been much better but looks to be stormier soon. Let’s hope it blows on past quickly (at night) or the weathermen change their minds.
Hi, Re: my post a few days ago about the woman in orange (spy) who was following you (and of course I was joking) – but reading your response I see I hadn’t realized the “woman from the bus” who returned Richard’s coat was the same person in both photos. Sorry it went over my head. Anyway despite the off and on rain, I am happy you are enjoying your walks on safer ground and I’m enjoying your photos. It really does seem like the Irish people are a convivial group! Also wanted to comment that I have been watching an Irish mystery series on Britbox, and in one episode road bowling was going on – so I got to see what that was all about…what a strange way to pass the time.
I have to say that neither Richard nor I caught on about the mysterious “lady on the bus” until we really looked at the photos. That’s why we included her in the blog—there were just so many coincidences!
I really haven’t looked up much about road bowling, so I’ll be happy when you school me when we get home. So many different sports here!