20120429: Annaghroe and Old Eglish

For photos of this day go here: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/116015436797025658740/albums/5737459542684083809?authkey=CJDE-7G8jLHIbA

For the map go here: http://my.viewranger.com/route/details/OTQ3Mg%3D%3D

At 9.15 exactly we left the square in Moy and headed for Blackwatertown and then Artasooley. By about 10 o'clock we had climbed up to Drumrusk (highest point of the day) and the old graveyard known as "Eglish". From that height one can see the nine counties of Ulster. Locals claim one can see Scotland! The DOE plaque gave us information on the Celtic crosses, but nothing about the church. It seems that over 1000 years ago Eglish had a thriving religious community there.

Leaving the graveyard we plummeted down what is know locally as "The Glen" near Tullymore, crossing Battleford Bridge and on to the Oona River. Turning due South we headed for Dyan. On route we explored the River Blackwater at McGoggin's Hill. Detouring through Kedew we reached Caledon by by about 12. There we broke our usual tradition by having coffee in the cafe, chatting to cyclist from Steady CC.

Anaghroe House was our next stop, but a warning about cross bulls discouraged us from getting too close. From there, with a strong tail wind we crossed the new bridge and on to Glasslough passing through Corraghdown.

After Glasslough, at Rossarrell, we encountered organic farmer Padge McKenna. We emerged from a very narrow track close to his house and he was very surprised to see us. He explained that it must be over 50years since anyone had used that path. In our bright yellow jackets we appeared to him like apparitions.

On leaving Padge we drummed up in a most unusual setting: a tree house, deep in the Derryveen woods! For half an hour we shared the enchantment and wonder of the children who had built it. In gratitude we left them a note. Chatting to Padge and the picnic in the woods were very special. These are the kind of simple events that make cycle touring so intimate and unforgettable.

It was now approaching 2.00o'clock. Increasing headwind and the threat of rain encouraged us to head due North and home. This took us back through Glasslough, across the river Corr and Tynan. In all we covered just 36miles at a relaxed pace and the headwind did not prove a problem.