Weds 29th June 2022
​Quoile River Walk

Eleven Spartans assembled at the front steps of the St Patrick’s Centre in Downpatrick on quite a nice summer Wednesday morning.   

We took the steps upwards to the right of the building towards Downpatrick Museum.  The impressive Downpatrick Cathedral can be seen to the left at the top of these steps for those interested in further exploration of this historic town. We followed the Lecale Way signs for a short way which eventually took us to the left, passing a school where we made our way into the field where the Mound of Down is located.  A number of grassy paths were obvious in this field, most of which should take you to the Mound.  However, the Mound itself was hidden by quite thick vegetation at this point and it looked like we would be circumnavigating the Mound.  We eventually found a set of steps taking us upwards where we enjoyed the great views of the cathedral with the majestic Mournes in the distance
 
There isn’t much information available about this impressive, but mysterious, structure but we shared what little was available. Leaving the Mound we headed towards the sewage works (also visible from the Mound!) and crossed the main Crossgar – Downpatrick road close to the big sculpture of St Patrick.  From here, heading country bound, we soon head right to join the pathway that runs along the side of the Quoile river. At the end of this section we need to cross the main road and took the road towards Strangford for a short while before rejoining the river walk close to the Quoile bridge.  The river is very impressive with lots of wildlife and lovely views to enjoy.
 
We walked to the quay at the end and stopped for our lunch. Afterwards we used the bathroom facilities at the Countryside Centre (which was closed) and returned to Downpatrick this time mostly via the road.  The weather stayed kind throughout the walk, despite the forecast being a bit mixed.
 
It was lovely to catch up with Spartans old and new. Jo

Mon 27th June 2022
Our Place in Space at Divis

Spartans at the centre of the universe on Monday and Davy taking his Interplanetary Science course very seriously! Carrie

Weds 22nd June 2022
Portrush to Portstewart


​​Everyone arrived promptly - some by train and some by car. Fifteen walkers set off at 11:15 from Portrush West Strand towards Portstewart along the coastal path following the small headlands at a leisurely pace.  It was dry and overcast with a gentle breeze. We reached Amici's restaurant at the edge of Portstewart next to the municipal golf course after about 90 minutes' walk. There we had some lovely food, good chat and a birthday celebration. After lunch the group split - some headed back along the coast for the 16:05 train while the rest headed into Portstewart proper, the seafront.  Morellis ice-cream parlour was the destination but most were too full to indulge. This group then took the coastal path back to the starting car park or Portrush train station with the views now changed by the brightening sunshine.  8-9 miles, full stomachs and a wee day out by the sea.  Another successful Spartan walk with no injuries or losses! John

Weds 15th June 2022
​Cairn Wood

This is a circular walk of approximately 7K (4 miles) through a mixed wood forest. The tree cover is mainly beech, with oak, birch, alder, rowan and holly and conifers. Ground cover - ferns. The Forest is largely open woodland with numerous tracks to be explored. There is abundant wildlife including a variety of song birds, raptors, red and grey squirrels etc.
Total ascent:- 237m. Walk time:- 3 hours.

Walk Route:- Starting at the car park. On entering the Forest behind the toilet block we turn right and follow a track which runs parallel to the Craigantlet Road in the direction of Dundonald. The forest soon gives way to a scrub type woodland consisting of felled tree stumps, bushes, thistles, ferns and brambles. The track is broad and winding. At each junction reached take the track on the right keeping
always to the perimeter and climbing uphill. After almost 2 miles you reach the top of Cairn Wood Forest and a view point. This is a good place for a banana break and time to admire the views towards Scrabo Tower and
Strangford Lough.
Following a 15 minute break it is time to set off again. From here it is mostly downhill to the finish. After about a further mile, at the next viewing point there is a choice of 3 tracks. The lowest track leads directly back to the car park but proceed along the upper track towards the tall coniferous trees in the distance. Soon you will come to the main forest road. Cross it and follow the track directly opposite which after 0.75 of a mile leads back to the car park.

​21 people took part on the walk on 15th June 2022 on a fine sunny day.
Walking at a very leisurely pace and taking frequent stops, the walk actually took 2 hours 32 minutes. Everyone expressed their enjoyment of the dander and promised they would return again soon. Following the walk 12 members of the group headed for refreshments and further chat in Crawfordsburn Country Park.  Raymond

Weds 8th June 2022
​Donard Wood



​Nine Spartans met in Donard Park and walked through Donard Wood and up a track on Millstone mountain to Drinneevar quarry. We had lunch there and the views from the quarry were stunning. After lunch we made our way back down and around the side of Millstone passing the top of the Granite trail, the quarry and viewpoint on the side of Thomas’s mountain, the third bridge over the Glen river and through the forest to Donard park.
Despite the forecast the weather was kind to us and the company and craic was good and I think we all enjoyed ourselves.
Distance 9.6 K., height of 448m, time 3.54mins including lunch and coffee breaks.
(Thanks to Raymond for the stats). Judy

Weds 25th May 2022
​Banagher Glen

​The beautiful Banagher Glen in the north Sperrins was the setting for our 10 mile leisurely hike. We climbed steadily from the car park through the steep sided valley alongside the Owenrigh River. This was a pretty mixed woodland of oak and ash.
The more open forest we walked through next was commercially grown conifers. Here we found a distinctively pink picnic bench for a welcome snack.  It was coats on then coats off as the weather was a bit mixed. After just one scenic detour where the walk leader failed to bow to the wisdom of the co-leader, a picnic spot was found. This boasted views of Altnaheglish reservoir.  
We headed down to the reservoir and the car park.  The group had spotted tadpoles and heard cuckoos and even a woodpecker en route.  Walking through lots of lovely bluebell dells and the dappled canopy brought us back to the cars where we enjoyed some farewell craic and biscuits.
Overall the walk was about 5 hours including an hour in food and scenic stops. Isobel

Weds 18th May 2022
Divis Mountain

Plan A was to tackle Cregagh Glen in east Belfast but the closure of a footbridge due to storm damage during the winter meant that the path remains closed. Thanks to those eagle-eyed Spartans who kindly alerted me to the problem in time for an alternative plan to be hatched.
And so we switched from one National Trust walk to another – and Divis proved a perfectly acceptable alternative on a sunny, bright but breezy morning. There was plenty of space in the newly resurfaced car park at Divis Road, where we gathered. The turn-out of seven Spartans was not bad considering the last minute notification.
From the car park we crossed the road and followed the footpath to the Long Barn where note was taken of the fact that the coffee shop and toilets were open for business. Our target was Divis Mountain itself, which at 478m is the highest of the Belfast hills. En route we paused to look back and admire the view over Lough Neagh and down to the distant Mournes, reckoning that we could see five of the six counties of NI.
On the path up to Divis we were impressed to find that the footing was much improved with the implant of numerous flat boulders and steps which kept our feet dry and assisted the ascent. The National Trust volunteers and staff have evidently been busy during the various lockdowns.
Photographs were duly taken at the trig point to record our achievement and we continued across the summit and down to the Ridge Trail where a boardwalk laid across boggy ground eased our passage. Our wildlife experts identified skylarks soaring high above us and even spotted swifts performing acrobatics over the moorland. At ground level we spotted a couple of remarkably hairy caterpillars making their way across our path, so we had to step carefully to avoid them.
A second trig point was copped at Black Mountain (390m). A heathery knoll provided sufficient shelter from the strengthening southerly wind for us to have a short lunch stop. What a magnificent view. We were overlooking Cavehill on the left and the Castlereagh hills to the right. Sandwiched in between was Belfast Lough and the expanse of the city. We could easily make out Cunard’s Queen Victoria in the repair dock at H&W and watched as the Stena ferries plied their way in and out of the Port of Belfast.


​From there we contoured our way along the hillside, identifying various Belfast landmarks far beneath us. We were walking into the wind and were glad to reach the aforementioned National Trust café where we relaxed over a coffee and a traybake. As ever, the chat was good and a wide range of topics was covered. As we returned to the cars we could see that the promised cloud was starting to gather – but still no sign of the impending rain.

The stats showed that we had walked six miles in around two and a half hours. Divis never fails to impress and if the Trust’s plans to develop a linear walk through to Ligoniel come to fruition Belfast will at last be able to boast a hill-walk which will be the match of any in these islands. 

ROBIN MORTON

Weds 11th May 2022
​Loughmoney

​8 of us met up at the former Slaney Inn in Raholp, near Downpatrick.
 
We started the walk on a farm lane, along a section of St Patrick’s Way past Roneystown Well. The well had been in use for drinking water until 1963 when mains water was installed. We passed Lough Money and walked along a narrow path past Ballystokes and onto road at Ballyalton. On along the Ballyculter Road, we paused for lunch at the picnic area on the southern edge of Lough Money, before heading east to join St Patrick’s Way again to return to Lough Money and back to the start.
 
This circular walk is about 6 miles long with some very nice off-road paths. The scenery is lovely and it was a gorgeous sunny warm day, except for one sharp shower. There are a number of standing stones in this area. St Patrick’s Memorial is nearby and well worth the short climb for the all-round views from Scrabo to the Mournes.
 
Jessica

Weds 4th May 2022
​Our Place in Space


​The Spartan Derry Girls ( Carrie, Bronagh, Janet and Paul) had a lovely day out in Derry.
We walked thousands of kilometres ( actually about 10k) around the Our Place in Space sculpture trail along the banks for the Foyle.

The trail is moving to the Belfast hills and the North Down coast later in the year and I would highly recommend a visit.  The distances of the planets from the sun and the sizes of the planets are all to scale and give a great impression of the vastness of our universe. 

Unfortunatley when we go to the sun ( which is illuminated and warm!) is was a bit drizzly but otherwise the weather was great and we had a lovely day out. May the 4th be with you!!

Carrie

Weds 27th April 2022
​Giant's Ring



​A dozen Spartans met at Newforge car park on a lovely bright sunny morning to begin their walk to the Giant's Ring. We headed through Clement Wilson Park before making our way up to Ned's Meadow and Terrace Hill admiring the many wooden sculptures along the trail. From here we followed the track up to the Giant's Ring which never fails to impress especially in bright sunshine. We returned to Minnowburn via the village of Edenderry and the Lagan towpath and then made our way back to the car park where we enjoyed our picnic lunch. Marian

Weds 20th April
​Gosford Park

​

​On a glorious Wednesday morning 6 Spartans met at Gosford Forest Park for a walk around the lesser known paths. We started of on the main paths but before long we were in the middle of the Forest negotiating the fox and deer paths. We made Greers Fort in good time, the greers being one of the first 13 families to settle in Markethill during the plantation. Then it was off towards the castle where we heard the sounds of a woodpecker in the trees. After heading through the walled garden we stopped for a quick tea break beside the old coach house and then headed up through the bluebell wood. From there it was down past Dean Swifts chair(The author of Gullivers Travels)to the graves of the 3 dogs of the earls of Gosford and back to the car park. Graham

Weds 13th April 2022
Delamont Country Park



​Fifteen intrepid Spartans joined us on the walk through Delamont Country Park and Gibbs Island. We enjoyed clear blue skies, warm air, spring flowers, lambs, herons nesting in the pine trees and spectacular views across the County Down countryside. The walk ended with a picnic in the sunshine. A relaxed walk and great company. Many thanks everyone. Mary and Stephen.

Weds 6th April 2022
Cave Hill




​A lovely day for a walk up Cave Hill.  Thanks to John for volunteering at last minute to lead.

Weds 30th Mar 2022
Colin Glen

​Undeterred by a rather gloomy weather forecast a small but select band of five Spartans mustered at the Colin Glen car park on March 30. As ever, the weather was not as bad as forecast, and we enjoyed a two-hour walk. Much interest focused on the ongoing development of attractions including two zip wires and a toboggan run. Looks like the next phase should be opening at Easter so happily there was no need to test our nerve.
At the car park we met The Lost Patrol, another walking group comprising retirees. We were following the same route to start with so there was time to chat with them and to swap ideas about possible new walks. At Mila’s Lake they hived off to a different track, leaving the five of us to enjoy a short break at what used to be a picnic table by the lake. The table has gone but the seats are still there so let’s hope it will be replaced as part of the Belfast City Council development of the park.
A new car park at the top of the park, designed for those using the zip wire, opens up a new view high across Belfast and over to the Castlereagh hills. Having completed our site examination we descended to the banks of Colin River and on up to the park boundary at Glen Bridge. This is where the park abuts National Trust property and steep steps lead to a muddy path which once led further up to Divis Mountain. Must check to see if that path is still navigable.
We strolled back downstream, clocking up all five bridges on the descent. The stonework on the riverbed installed for what was McCance’s Linen Mill in the early 1800’s is still clearly visible. What a pity all that hydro power is nowadays untapped.
Sadly no sign of the hoped for woodpecker (I had heard one the previous day at nearby Aberdelghy but plenty of time to admire the wood anemones and to smell the wild garlic. Colin Glen remains an attractive walk, so close to the city but yet so far from city life. And to round things off, a cuppa was on offer at the café in the car park at Stewartstown Road.
ROBIN MORTON

Weds 23rd Mar 2022
Mount Stewart



​​The weather could not have been more different from the fortnight previously when it was gales and heavy rain which cancelled the walk.
It was a beautiful clear blue sky and sixteen of us were there to enjoy it. We walked round the lake to the red squirrel hide but none were around. The walk continued round the outer edges of the demesne through lovely woodland.  On reaching the main drive the walk again went round the lake then over several rustic bridges and around bamboo bushes.  The bird song was particularly good here.  It then climbed slightly to a ridge where there was a good view of the other part of the demesne.  There was a gentle descent to the cafe where the sun was pleasantly warm outside for lunch.
Peter

Weds 16th Mar 2022
The Mound of Down


​The walk on 16 March started in Downpatrick close to the St Patrick’s Centre. First stop was at the Mound of Down, an ancient, man made, hill giving lovely views of the Quoile River and the Mournes in the distance. The walk then continued along the Quoile to Steamboat Quay. We stopped for lunch in the garden at the Quoile Countryside Centre. Finally we visited St Patrick’s grave and Down Cathedral where a very enthusiastic member of staff gave us a quick tour. Carrie

Weds 23rd Feb 2022
​Montalto Estate

There is no doubt that Spartans are up for a good deal! 19 club members turned up bright and early to enjoy a delicious breakfast at Montalto Estate to qualify for free entry to the grounds. Joined by four other Spartans, the group toured the estate taking in the Alpine Gardens, the Boathouse and Lake, the Low Wood with it’s fantastic adventure playground and the path alongside the fast flowing Ballynahinch River. Unfortunately the historical walk up to the site of the Ballynahich Battle was closed due to the strengthening wind, but this disappointment was overturned when, as the group stood by Montalto House, Pat Moorhead a guide at the property, gave a detailed history of the estate from its beginnings in plantation times to the current project of the Wilson family to develop the estate as an exclusive venue and visitor attraction. Everyone was up for another inner loop to see if the witch was at home in her cottage, so that all paths apart from the history trail were covered in at least one direction. Some Spartans took advantage of a further walk, while others enjoyed a coffee as the weather began to close in for the remainder of the afternoon. Stephen

Weds 16th Feb 2022
Dundonald Motte and Greenway



Helen led her group of Spartans to the old Motte/Moat at Dundonald before following the Greenway to Billy Neil park and then back.  It was a bit of a damp day but an enjoyable walk all the same.

​

Weds 9th Feb 2022
​The Argory


"Snowdrops and daffodils" is the start of which song??🎼.
Correct! All kinds of Everything sung by Dana for the Eurovision Song Contest 1970.!!

Well 20 Spartans enjoyed all kinds of Everything as we explored The Argory National Trust grounds and some countryside beyond it's boundaries too!!
A number from our group specifically told me, at the end of the walk, how pretty and full of variety this place is, as it encompasses a beautiful wide curving river( The Blackwater) and wide open meadows merging into mature native woodland, alongside higgledy-piggledy paths over heath and boardwalk to stop your feet getting wet!
The old house where Mr Bond (Michael, not James!!) lived was given over to The National Trust in 1979 and he continued to live here until his death. The majestic house has a stunning view looking over the Blackwater River and on into the Tyrone countryside.
The group of Spartans were particularly fortunate to be here in February as this is when the finest display of snowdrops are on view. They literally carpet the banks and by ways around the grounds with Lime Tree walk showing them off spectaculary alongside the daffodil heads ready to burst forth!!🌾🌾..
​We walked cheerfully thinking of Spring and finished with a picnic and being amused by one Spartan whose navigating skills were on display as she tried to find her way out of the carpark, still mesmerized by the beauty of the Argory!
Elaine

Weds 2nd Feb 2022
Ballyboley Forest



​On a dreich morning 19 Spartans rendezvoused in the Ballyboley carpark.
The invisible views were magnificent........ allegedly.
We paused for a quick snack at Killylane before completing the walk back to the cars.
It was noticeable that the recent winds had taken their toll on the trees as many had been blown down.
After the walk some of the walkers enjoyed a  coffee in Ballynure. 
Thanks to all who attended and didn’t complain about the weather. Jim

Weds 26th Jan 2022
​Killinchy Roads



​​13 walkers met at Ballymorran Bay. The tide was well out and there were birds to be watched e.g. teal – a rare sight beyond the confines of Castle Espie.
 
We walked on small country roads, past Quarterlands Bay, enjoying the shores of Strangford Lough and views of the islands, as well as the inland drumlins. There was very little traffic which was nice. The weather was kind, a bit cloudy in places but some sunshine too. We walked south as far as Ringneill, had a brief stop opposite Simmy Island, and then returned north partially retracing our steps.
 
According to Reg’s STRAVA – the walk was 10.6 km – 145 m ascent – 2h 17 min. Jessica

Weds 19th Jan 2022
​Tardree Forest

"Where is Tardree?" came the question from everyone. 
North east of Antrim town 21 of us in met in Duncan's car park to explore Tardree forest. The walking boots were needed immediately as a muddy path led us down between the trees! We had a lovely view of Slemish as came up to the edge of the forest.  We circled along the forest edge to "Tardree Nature reserve" and some of us lifted samples of Tardree stone ( pyrite). We went off path and up and over Tardree hill.
After a brief lunch stop we headed over the road to Carnearney and a steady climb took us up close to the top of our second hill of the day.  Unfortunately the beautiful views over Antrim town and Lough Neagh were obscured by an unwelcome mist!
The wettest section where boots and poles played a vital role saw us heading back down towards the cars. 
7.2 miles and 890 feet took us 3 and a quarter hours at a very leisurely pace. Mind you the time flew as our group chatted their way along even up the hills!
A return visit is needed for those views I had promised!
Many thanks to Damian for his great photographic record of the lovely sunshine we did enjoy!
Isobel

Weds 12th Jan 2022
​Knockagh



​A group of 17 Spartans assembled at Carrickfergus Station to go to the start of the walk at Woodburn Presbyterian Church next to Woodburn Forest. At Woodburn Church 3 more Spartans joined us. Thus a group of 20 headed into Woodburn forest and round one of the reservoirs and eventually to Knockagh Monument.. Here a snack was had and then we returned by the way we had come. The weather was kind to us 

David

Weds 5th Jan 2022
​North Down Coastal Path


​On a beautiful but cool sunny day 16 Spartans turned up at Bangor Pickie to kick off our Wednesday walking programme for 2022.  We walked briskly along the coastal path towards Holywood enjoying the chat and admiring the wonderful views of snow clad hills on the other side of Belfast Lough.  A few other Spartans met us along the way to enjoy the craic.  Half-way point was at the boat house near Helens Bay where we stopped for a breather and to have snacks/lunch before continuing to our destination.  While some Spartans made their way home via train/car at this stage, the Dirty Duck tempted the rest of us to come in to enjoy their hospitality.  A great way to finish off a lovely day with good company and banter.  Marian