Near perfect November day

Click on the images for a larger version.  All images copyright Leslie Ashe.

A day's hillwalking in the Mourne Mountains in still conditions (well more or less), soft light with the occasional blink of sunshine.  Visiting some granite workings under the shadow of Slieve Lamagan en route to Lower Cove, Upper Cove and finishing on Slieve Lamagan before the trek back down the Carrick Little track.

Granite works

Cutting Mourne granite was largely done by the plug and feather method.  We found the remains of a plug together with a "fizz trough" used to temper the stonemason's tools.

Glacial erratic? 

Sometimes when walking over uneven ground it's hard to lift your eyes from where you are putting your feet and this must have been the case in previous times we walked past this huge dolmen like rock without noticing it.  

As this is in a small corrie under Cove we came to the conclusion that it could be an erratic left perched on smaller rocks by a retreating glacier.  Alternatively, had it simply fallen from the crags of Slieve Lamagan? 

Cove Mountain

Onward to Cove mountain with the views over Lower Cove, Cove Lough and the Annalong Valley with examples of moss taking hold in grooves in the granite.

The descent from Cove provided great views out over Ben Crom, Doan, Slieve Muck and the Carligford Mountains in the far distance.  For short periods the late autumn light played ball, initially on Slieve Muck and later on Ben Crom.

Slieve Lamagan

The summit was the location for our lunch and the ascent provided views over the crags of Cove and over to Slieve Bearnagh.

Carrick Little Track

At this time of the year the grass in and around Annalong Wood turns the most amazing colour, contrasting with the burnt trees and providing a splash of foreground colour to the view up the Annalong Valley to Cove Mountain, Slieve Beg and Slieve Commedagh.

A grand day out!