27-Feb-2008 --
2008 Ireland Tour
The fence gets revenge.
Continued from 53N-07W
The notes for this read "within 250 yards of crossroads, but roads are single track and in poor condition."
I had prepared for this, like all the other points by having a look on multimap to try and get a "feel" for the layout of the land. The only problem with that is that looking at a 2d representation of reality sometimes gives you the wrong idea.
The closest approach was to come at it from the North, the map suggesting this could be as little as 150 yards. Another lesson learnt, those computer maps are only a "guideline" to what actually exists!
I parked near some old and dilapidated farm buildings, cross the road and make my way through the hedge. Off we go...straight towards another hedge. As I try to find a way through I realise that I could have parked the car, walked down the hill and through a gate to get into the first field...
Through the second hedge and I have already gone more than 150 yards...cross this field and come to a ditch with a 6 foot climb on the far side. The point lies on the other side, there wasn't much water but nothing to aid the climb.
Follow the ditch down to the bottom of the field, over the stream and across two barbed wire fences, the second one takes a bite from my jeans and my hands.
Up the hill and it looks absolutely nothing like the photo's from the only previous visit. I am in a plantation of pine trees that are between 6-10 feet tall. Checking afterwards that visit was back in 2000 and the visitor only mentions getting within 300m. We can do MUCH better than that.
Put the Garmin into averaging mode and get on with the picture taking. Nearly 10 minutes later and I confirm the height as 385 feet and with an accuracy of just 2m. That's more like it.
Back out the way I came in, leaving with quite a few scratches. Oh well, all part of the fun. The panorama photo is of a small lake you can see from the parking spot.
I drove onto my next destination along the road to the West of the point. There are two new houses under construction. Just past them is a small pull off with a gate...a gate which leads you directly into the plantation field with the CP in it.
Continued at 53N 08W