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Walkers Whimsies

 

Sunday Scramble

19th February 2012
Hares Gap, Slievenaglogh and Lukes Mountain 10 km

Walk Start.. Meelmore Lodge car park @ 11.00 map ref. 305 307

Meet.. Carryduff Shopping Centre car park at 10.00 am
Or Hillsborough Forest car park (right hand side) at 10.00 am

“Tea” after walk.. TBC

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WALKERS SPRING BREAK - NORTH COAST, CO. ANTRIM
.
DATES:- SUNDAY APRIL 22nd THROUGH WEDNESDAY AM 25th APRIL 2012.
ACCOMODATION :- CAUSEWAY HOTEL- Tel. 02820731226
U3A TARIFF

3 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Sterling 140 per person.
All Walkers should book individually and
quote Belfast U3A to obtain the rates shown above.
Please note that there are only 24 rooms available and temporarily booked for us , so please make your booking very soon to avoid disappointment.
Any queries, contact Drew or Irene on 90628200.

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BURREN THE POEM

All the way down there were torrents of rain
But undeterred we met with Shane
In Lisdoonvarna at the Square
We mingled around and he was there.

His beloved Burren is changing each day
The fault of the girls who have all gone away
To have their nails done, he's got a hunch
They're not there to bring the men's lunch

We stepped on the Clints and over the Grykes
We looked at the plants and all said 'Oh Crikes!'

On the green road to Blackhead we went
The sun was shining, the rain was spent
Our floral path was in full array
Because it was the month of May

Onwards and upwards to the top we trekked
And when we reached the fort we were wrecked!
We crossed the walls, both single and double
With Eric on hand, we kept out of trouble

Another green road to Moher seemed right
Wild horses grazing on the hill all night
Galloped up close and gave us a fright
We picked up a yank called Mary Ann
And carried on walking with our Hairy Man (Eric)

When we came to a stream, Margaret built a ford
Which most of the others completely ignored
A 'Beware of the Bull' sign caused caused us to think
As into fresh cow pats we started to sink
We arrived at Moher, muddy and ripe
Amidst the tourists we were quite a sight

 

A DAY ON INISHMORE

(Thanks to William Topaz McGonnigal for inspiration)

'twas on a 'orrible wet morning in May
Fifteen glad souls set out for the day.
Their destination was set to be
Three lonely Isles set in a sullen sea.

But when the sun came out to play
The Fifteen folk all said "Hip Hooray!"
We can all enjoy you, Inishmore
Now there's no rain it will not bore.

A lad called John drove us around
Until a warm sunny spot he found,
And with happy smile he said we aught
To climb a path to see a fort.

For an hour our cameras clickèd,
Then in Jim's bus once more we fitted
To go to seven churches half in a flood,
But the sunshine kept our spirits good

White shops with thatch on corrugated
Allowed Aran's wares keep some elated.
So, embarked, we sailed away
And the cliffs at Moher closed our day.

 

 

and there is more

Here Be The Sligo Rhyme

We've come away for a bit of a break

And not to the sun make no mistake!

Auld Sligo Town we thought we'd try

Where could get her morning fry

 

To the 'Sligo Southern' we all did head

To walk and talk and be well fed

The craic was mighty - the drink it flowed

but the very first day it damn well snowed

 

We're all weather walkers who don't get dismayed

But now and again we can get waylaid

In Slish Wood we wandered, track after track

"Oh Brenda" we cried "we want to go back!!"

 

Innishfree we eventually found

At the end of a road were we had to turn round

So home we went, all feeling just fine

To a lovely dinner & a bottle of wine.

 

So here's to Clare for planning our stay

and to all of our friends in the U3A

But let's not get excited or carried away

'Cause come thursday morning we've all got to pay!!

[with thanks to the sheepherd & sheepherdess]

and yet more

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THE WALKERS GROUP
By Sheila Leggett

Hugh drove into the car park, away to a far corner where few people normally came. Surprisingly, a few cars were already parked there but no owners were around. Excitement suffused him as he unlocked the boot and removed the brief case with the scratch - he'd scratched it carefully so that recognition would be instant. lie couldn't afford to take the wrong brief case home. Earlier, after a hurried breakfast with his wife and children, he'd driven to his club and removed the precious parcel from his lock-er.
The pink tissue paper rustled as he gingerly opened the package. lie didn't want to tear it. Later he would lovingly re-wrap it and secrete it on the shelf until next time. He ,gasped as he unsheathed the black satin and lace belt with the scarlet suspenders. How soft Ito the touch! He couldn't wait to try it on.
He needed to be meticulous. The high wall had concealed him before so he went behind it again. Off came his pin-striped suit, blue shirt and tie. All went on the hanger which was suspended through a crack in the stone .N-all. Naked at last! Savouring the moment, he pulled on the suspender belt - wincing as he twanged the elastic against the pale skin of his thigh.
Struggling with the fish net stockings unbalanced him and he wobbled in the wet grass. He'd have to venture out to the concrete car park to try out his size nine high heels. What a buzz that would be. His dark green wax jacket - always reliable - hid a multitude - he slung it around his shoulders as he daintily retraced his steps to the car park.
Edith and Emil,,, were the last walkers to arrive. They liked to be known as the "Talkers and Walkers" - they would meet up with the other like-minded ladies in the group in time for coffee. They enjoyed this healthy early morning ramble - it assured their feel good factor. later they would positively drool over their scones, fresh cream and raspberry jam feeling they truly deserved them.
"Are you ready dear?" asked Emily, retrieving her walking stick from the boot of the car.
"Yes, of course," replied Edith "but my glasses are misted and things seem blurred." She wiped them with her special little chamois. *'Is that Gladys all alone over there, Emily?" She pointed at Hugh resplendent in his new finery. "Shall we call her and invite her to join us?""She's usually on time - we'll go over and surprise her - - -
Hugh, meanwhile, was balancing on his new shoes. He knew he looked fantastic - he ignored the pain of his tortured toes. The red leather and silver buckle sparkled against the tights really emphasising his shapely legs. How he'd love to be near a mirror. His eyes glistened - perspiration covered his brow and he did a twirl - a great big happy twirl - his coat flapping out behind him - like Joseph's dream coat. What colour, he thought, life is great.
Edith and Emily stood transfixed. This was a welcome and startling new experience for them. The Walkers Group was proving to be a great adventure.

[shades of Castle Ring? Ed]

 

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