Teetering on the edge ...

A beautiful day - bright, cold with a biting north westerly but too nice to be in. Returning from getting the papers I visited an abandoned mansion (with permission) but more interesting in my view, was the old farmhouse behind it. This did involve a climb through a window. These will feature in my website- hopefully going live tomorrow! The excitement!

Dirty bathrooms, spidery corners, heaps of washing all abandoned and we headed out. We did the Cahergal loop starting on the north side. This is such a spectacular walk taking in dramatic views across Bantry Bay; much bogginess and stone stepping stones; a deserted hamlet called the Crimea, high and dramatic cliffs; some old copper mines; a man-made blow hole; a dramatic cove where JG Farrell was swept to his death; a lush green valley, waterfalls and this slightly nerve-wracking teeny path - with old rope helpfully added. I wish you could see what was below this track! A huge drop, craggy cliffs and swirling water! The ruins of the workers' houses for the copper mine can just be seen on the top of the cliff. The hardiness of those people is astonishing for this is such a remote spot. The mine itself was only open for two years and only one load of copper was ever extracted. Several shafts remain, blasted by gunpowder and sheer human toil. It makes you wonder.