I’ve been away twice in the last couple of weeks to visit friends that have moved home to follow their dreams. One friend and her husband (Helen and Ade) have moved to Mayo, Ireland and another (Lisa) to Dorset close to the Wiltshire border. It would, of course, have been rude not to accept an invitation to visit. Another friend (Breedagh) who I haven’t seen since 2018 was also going to join us in Ireland making it extra special.

Travelling to Ireland is a little more challenging than Dorset especially with the current airport issues. I couldn’t work out why so many people with carry on bags were queuing at the bag drop. It was only when they were given priority over Knock passengers did I that I found out those flying to Dublin had not been able to check in on line. By that time I’d queued for an hour and was one person away from that elusive check in desk. I was not happy. But apart from this the rest of the journey was uneventful. 

I landed in an Ireland that was experiencing unusually warm weather. This is my second visit to Ireland this year. Both times the weather has been glorious. I’ve been so lucky. Eerily so. It made the walking we were going to do even more enjoyable. My friends live by the sea so the beach took centre stage in all of our walks and activity. 

The Geesala Festival was also on. A Boat Racing Regatta took place just down the road and there was horse racing on Doolough Beach. I’d never been horse racing before. Another 1st for my 70 for 70.

But centre stage was the walking.

The longest and most challenging was Carrowteige Loop Walk. We took the red route. 13 km (8 mile) with an assent of 270 metres. Graded as moderate. Described as ‘one of the unpolished jewels in the Mayo tourism crown’. It didn’t disappoint. The views were glorious. And with enough challenge to deserve that post walk pint. I’d love to be able to say that it was a pint of Guinness but I just can’t resist lager after a long walk.

Next on our walking agenda was Blacksod beach. Miles of beautiful sand. I couldn’t resist kicking of my walking boots to go for a paddle. It was cold. If I was ever tempted to go for a swim it would be with the benefit of a wetsuit.

But my favourite walk was along the Erris Loop Walk. About 5 kms. Part of which was along the Erris Parkrun route which can boast being Europe’s most westerly Parkrun.

The beach delivered a Lawrence of Arabia experience. It seemed to merge with the sky. It was vast and deserted. Unfortunately my photographs don’t do it justice. 

Over the course of 4 days I walked around 65,000 steps, in the sun, along some amazing beaches. With great friends. I also took in the history and culture but the beaches always took centre stage.

A few days later I was in Dorset. Just over a year ago myself and my two friends, Lisa and Kirsty, visited Shaftesbury. Lisa fell in love with the area. Less than a year later she was living there in a house with a spectacular view. She does love a view.

After we had toasted her new home with a few glasses (bottles) of Prosecco we considered where we would walk the following day. We wanted to visit one of the nine white horses of Wiltshire. The closest one was the Westbury White Horse. Conveniently accompanied by a 9km loop walk. So that’s what we did.

To get to the  horse you walk from the car park to a viewing area. It just appears. An ’oh wow’ moment. But it is concrete not chalk. I had just assumed all the horses were chalk. Standing at the top of the horse is not recommended if you don’t like heights. I certainly wasn’t brave enough to poke it in the eye.

But it was a great way to kick off our walk. Yet again I had to leave the orienteering to Lisa and Kirsty. My sense of direction and map reading skills are dodgy to say the least. Thanks to them we made it round. Beautiful views of the downs. And enough challenge (ascents and descents) to make it interesting. Finished off by a Mr Whippy ice-cream and a pint.

A great couple of weeks.