Annual Camp 2012

Friday, August bank holiday weekend, thunder, lightning, torrential rain - the signs were not good. We had decided some weeks earlier to relocate the annual camp from the River Barrow, so it was with a certain trepidation that we set out on Saturday to Lough Keel. Had we made the right choice? Was there any campsite in Ireland which was not absolutely sodden? While the rainfall was considerably less than  had been forecast, the site had suffered from earlier rain and was very muddy. Luckily enough, after a couple of days, the site began to dry out and it was sunshine all the way after that!!

Boats and kayaks were launched in Lough Key and we progressed on to Cootehall, then to Carrick-on-Shannon and on to Jamestown over three days.

Congratulations to Boom who were impressive overall winners of the Watch Competition.

Launching Day 2012

PLs Tea

Long Woman's Grave to Carlingford

For a complete change of scenery and hill walking terrain we headed north to the Cooley peninsula.  Starting at the Long Woman's Grave, we struck out for Carlingford village taking five peaks on the way - Foxes Rock, Ravens Rock, Eagles Rock, Carlingford mountain and - the daddy of them all - Slieve Foy.

Although the overall distance was a relatively modest12km, some of the climbs were quite challenging and hard going at times.  However, it was all well worth the effort and we were rewarded with wonderful views of Carlingford Lough and the Mourne Mountains.  In the distance to the south we could see Howth Head and, to the east, the Isle of Man

Easter Camp 2012