18-Oct-2024
This is another walk that starts and finishes right on our doorstep.
It never takes long before you're getting good views
A moody old day, windy and threatening rain
There is plenty of industrial archaeology around this area, picturesquely reverting to nature
These are the remains of Ballacorkish mines, which extracted lead, zinc, and copper
Off up through some fields...
... to emerge briefly on the Sloc road, one of my favourite Island thoroughfares
Up on the Sloc, there's a little memorial to Thomas Shimmin, aka Tom the Dipper, whose cottage once stood here. He's described on the plaque as a "poet and Baptist preacher". Less complimentary epithets are used in this account, where his end is depicted as rather sad. A more upbeat version focuses on the role of religion in making him a "changed man", but what seems certain is that he deserves his reputation as "a unique character"... The Wreck of the Brig Lily is one of his poetic offerings.
It was raining by now, and we were glad to turn off the exposed road onto sheltered (albeit grassy and boot-soaking) tracks:
Past Ballakilpheric Chapel, built in 1850, and now in need of restoration
Fuchsia explosion...
Yes, there's a path in here... With so many plants under our feet, it felt like walking through a salad bowl
Finally, you reach Colby Glen. This is another place I -- unaccountably -- never visited during my time on the Island... And the rain has stopped
And back in Colby village
Colby Bridge
Not sure, but it's very organic...
OK, boring repetition coming up: Where else do you get such a variety of interesting and accessible walking in such a small area...?