Sunday 6th Feb

[Scribble]

Tim and myself heading for a dander on Sunday then having a bivvy on a summit or hammocking in Donard or Annalong all depending on weather , chuck may join just for a bit of a night hike . All welcome

No route etc planned as yet as I'm doing 7 nights in a row then I will no better what I'm up for when I finish and I have no school run Monday morning so am hoping for a long lie in  

[LandyLiam]

I should be in Newcastle about 4pm on Sunday so i'd be happy to tag along for a wee evening dander.

[CaptainRocky]

I was thinking of popping down to Donard this weekend, just a casual one to test my capabilities, hoping the caving experience helps me out.

[Scribble]

Yip the more the merrier   think we will be setting up in Donard wood for Tim is looking to use his hammock and I'm bringing mine just to practice putting it up but I'm prob going to be sleeping on ground less movement

I will be getting a better idea of times etc and post them up here ,

Captain dont forget your essential wee bottle of port etc for round the fire  

[RedLeader]

Can't believe I'm missing a hammocking night. I hate you all 

Yip the more the merrier   think we will be setting up in Donard wood for Tim is looking to use his hammock and I'm bringing mine just to practice putting it up but I'm prob going to be sleeping on ground less movement

I will be getting a better idea of times etc and post them up here ,

Captain dont forget your essential wee bottle of port etc for round the fire  

[Tim]

Ah can't beat a good night in a hammock Jonno

[ChuckMcB]

Looking good for me to come along for a quick night hike. Not sure what time I'll be up on the hill, but I'll be on Channel 6...or hit me a text.

Gonna be wet, but the wind looks like it will die down  as the day goes on, should be a still night..

ps. the purveyor of excellent cheapy walking kit, TKMaxx, are selling hammocks for £15, picked up one a couple of weeks ago...may bring that along for a wee play. (wife's banned me from taking it to Hillsbrough Forest)

[Tim]

That's where I picked mine up, although I think I got it for £10.99. After toying with the idea of ordering a hammock from DD Hammocks for a few months for around £30ish, I saw this and couldn't resist.

Definitely going to be a wet one I think, but at least the trees should offer some shelter. I don't have a radio as of yet Chuck so unless Scribble has one maybe pm your mobile number?

I think we're planning on heading up fairly early to give us time to set up and gather of plenty of firewood so anyone else in the area feel free to pop down (or up  ) and say hello while there's still some daylight.

[Scribble]

That's me packed and re-packed , now fighting the urge to go get a bottle of wine for this evening 

[RedLeader]

Give in, you know you want to

That's me packed and re-packed , now fighting the urge to go get a bottle of wine for this evening 

[ChuckMcB]

PM sent

I'm going to try to do the Commedagh Loop that Liam took me on before xmas then drop down into the forest to find you guys...

[Scribble]

Cancelled by me and sorry guys txts sent , gutted and extremely pi@@ed off that I can't go but I have no way out of it 

[ChuckMcB]

Next time....the mountains aint going anywhere...

[LandyLiam]

i'm now having to reschedule my plans around the family now, i'll be going up the mournes for a wee night hike starting about 7ish, back for 10pm at latest.

[LandyLiam]

well the plans changed again and i got away at 4pm as planned and met chuck half way up donard


the glen river at the bottom bridge, plenty of water after todays rain



met chuck at end of donard wood



chuck had to go early and earn some brownie points so i decided to go across the river and up donard via thomas's mountain, view from the ridge of newcastle



it was getting dark and i chickened out of going an unknown route alone in the dark (wise move   ) so went back down to glen river and down via the quarry and the (toe killing) granite trail (didn't fancy doing the glen river path in the dark and the forest was very boggy), here's the view from the quarry



at the bottom of the granite trail you exit at the harbour so i thought i'd practise some night photography, couldn't find my tripod so used walls and park benchs to get the 5 second exposures