Day six - Horn Head

     After having conquered Errigal, and for me that is how it felt not just physically but also emotionally, I was pretty beat.  My legs were mushy and I was ready for an easier day - Not to be. We started todays hike with a bit of confusion.  The route that is usually taken was closed.

Trying to figure out where to go...

     Apparently there was a discussion at the local pub about the land use and one businessman asked a farmer "how much are you getting for the use of your land".  This started an argument and the farmer in question refused to let anyone pass on his land.  So as we began to hike, uphill (why must it always start straight uphill??) ;-P  Linda was in search for a way to pass to the beach.  She knocked on several doors and finally a farmer came in from his field.  After a discussion he gave us the go ahead to cross his fields.
   Today I discovered a new type of Irish walking obstacle - very sharp grass.  Not sure what type it is (forgot to ask which is not like me!)  Had to pass through that to get to the path we needed.  Lots of up and down.  Once again beautiful shore line.  Linda had told us that Horn Head is actually more dramatic and higher than the Cliffs Of Mohr but not nearly as easy to get to.

Going across the famers field - Errigal in background on Right

    We stopped for lunch on the side of a valley looking into it.  It blocked the wind that was picking up.  As we sat there no one spoke.  We all watched as the clouds moved overhead cast moving shadows on the valley below.  So peaceful.  Could hear the waves crashing and the sheep baaing but otherwise silence.  One of our group Andrease had stopped to sketch a ways back and Linda was keeping an eye out for him.  When he did not appear she went looking.  Some us began walking because we saw the OTHER side of the valley that we needed to climb.  Off we went.

Horn Head (from a distance)

As we got closer we saw what all the fuss was about - it was breathtaking.

View from the top

Finally got to the top!

Once we got there and climbed to the very top we still had to get back to the van.  I think most of us were ready for a break.  It had been an EXCELLENT, but long week of hiking.  As we headed down we passed the ruins of an old watch tower.  Linda had told us the parking lot was "just over the next bit"  That bit was a bit far away - but we keep walking.  As we walked down the road to the van Linda hitched a ride so she could get the van and pick us all up (I think she sensed a mutiny!)
It all worked out in the end and we made it back to town and Linda stopped and we all got a celebratory pint.  She also gave each of us a certificate of achievement for the "job well done!"
While at the pub she discovered there was to be music that night starting at 5. We all agreed to run back take a quick shower and head back before dinner for some music.  It was a great session and a terrific way to end our time together.

Slainte'

Brian and Julie

Our group taking in the tunes

Andrease and Gabby

Linda and Marette deep in conversation!