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08:55:39
08:55 Left the house with a minimal backpack. Aisling is meeting me on the Killakee Road. The day is overcast, with glimmers of pale blue in the east. I’m wearing two layers, a hat and gloves. We had a porridge breakfast. Both of us very stressed out.
09:10 First view of mountains at the end of Cooley Road.
09:35 Somewhere near Templeogue, a black Mazda pulls up and Caroline pops out full of smiles and consumed by a cold. Peter’s at the wheel also with a monster cold. He shakes my hand with his sleeve. Lots of hugs from Caroline.
10:05 Crossed the Dodder river.
10:14 The sun comes out for the first time.
10:42 First practice with the poles - took about five minutes to find a rhythm. I can see these being enormously helpful.
11:34 Killakee road car park.
Aisling took this snap as I approached our agreed lunchtime rendezvous.
12:29 Met Aisling. Fun picnic in the car out of the cold wind of stuffed vine leaves, boiled eggs, buttered bread, salted crisps and camomile tea.
13:30 Main bag on, moving again.
13:42:22
13:47:04
13:48:37
13:57:02
13:57:11
13:57:19
13:59:51
14:28:28
14:28:58
14:30 Aisling turns back. We can’t walk side by side and the showers are vicious. After we part, I’m soaked by a nasty hail shower at the back of Kippure.
I find a spot to camp on two pallets in a bog high beyond Sally Gap. It’s cold and windy but in the sleeping bag, only my hands and feet are cold. I sleep from 16:30 until 07:30 and rise to a damp, heavy overcast morning. Breakfast is handfuls of nuts and dried fruit.
19:26:05
19:26:19
19:26:33
