27th Aug 06 Sunday

Skibbereen Walking Club
Timmy Whelley the Chairman of the walking club and Mary another member picked me up at about 1.15pm Sunday afternoon and we headed to Baltimore to meet the rest of the Skibbereen Walking group for the days events. There is a membership of 54 of which about a third will turn up for any walk, maybe less for the hill walking sessions. New members are always welcome and can just turn up and go on a walk, indeed people visiting or holidaying in the area are also welcome to come along. For today’s walk there were 13 of us headed by Timmy. There is always a leader for each walk – someone who knows the walk and has researched the path and sought all the relevant permissions. Walks are chosen at the AGM where members can put forward suggestions.

From meeting up in the car park of O’Casey’s bar we set off initially walking on road and then up a lane and into fields (land is never entered without receiving permission from the landowner and being careful to secure and gates etc).

The pace was brisk but not too quick and we stopped several times both for a rest and to enjoy the scenery, which was stunning. The path we were taking went around the coast at Baltimore to a place called ‘Spain’ (where I was informed you could see for 1,000 sq miles). One of the bonuses of being part of a walking group must be that not only to you get out and get exercise and meet people but that you get the opportunity to see places you may not get to otherwise. As we stood on the edge of Ireland looking over to Sherkin (where we could see the boats taking part in the regatta) I felt privilege to be able to be there to enjoy it. I most likely would never have seen this particular view on my own but thanks to Timmy and the Walking group I have. The walk was approximately 5 miles long and took about 2 1/2 hours. I would categorise myself as not being fit but it was no bother and I dint have trouble keeping up and what’s more I enjoyed it!

I was also lucky to have made today my day to join the Walking Club as they were holding their end of summer Barbecue. Back in O’Casey we had salad, brown bead, burgers, sausages, rashers and puddings – most of it prepared by members of the club themselves. It was delicious and much appreciated after all the fresh air. There was also a raffle which needless to say I didn’t win!

Spoke to jenny who is also in the Carbery Art Group and going to the same Growing Awareness class as me. She is also in a local music group, who meet in one of their sitting rooms and play music – she has just recently taken up the flute.

Also through chatting I found that Eric and Maria from the Walking group are in the West Cork Choral Society – I’m going to pop out to visit them next week as they start back for the autumn season tomorrow.

Got lift back into town with Maria and though chatting found out that she holds a patchwork group; it is currently made up of herself and 2 other women who meet up to do their patchwork and quilting projects. She had invited me to her home on Wednesday,

After that I went to bed tired in a good way – having exercised chatted and been fed. If you fancy a good walk the Skibbereen Walking group do level C (moderate) walks every second Sunday and hill walks (level b) once a month. Contact Ericthreapleton@hotmail.com http://www.geocities.com/skibwalk/

You will need a good par of walking shoes/boots a rain jacket and I would recommend bringing a bottle of water.