CAVEHILL

It’s a bit embarrassing for someone from Belfast to admit, but i’d never been to Cavehill before. I’d been to the area before, but not the actual County Park.

I had been thinking about it in the last few years, but never got around to it. A few years back, I drove up one sunny Easter Monday, but seeing cars having to park (very badly) in the streets nearby, not a space to be had, put me off.

The problems is, if i’m off work and the weather is nice, i’m straight out on my bike. I don’t usually do walking when i’m in Belfast on my spare time.

I could cycle there, but by the time I get there, i’d be too knackered to get home, I would have to drive there.

And drive there I did, entering by Innisfayle Street.

I was meant to go there last weekend, as I was using up Annual Leave last Friday. However, it was dark and wet outside. Nothing that would be tempting me to go outside.

The next day, no football, time on my hands. Again, dark and miserable.

So, I decided to wait until the next Saturday morning. And so it arrived, and the weather was a complete contrast, it was dry, and I had a lot of daylight.

I got up, dressed and washed. Just like my recent visit to Lithuania, it was all about layers, as it was a bit chilly.

I left the house at around 9.30am and arrived there just before 10.00am.

As I would be going to the Linfield match that afternoon, my visit would be timebound. I planned on returning back at 11.00am, no matter where I was.

At around 10.45am, I was near the top, so I decided to push on.

Unsurprisingly, throughout my visit, I managed to get some decent photos. The higher up I got, my photos had to be from longer range than I wanted to be, as I didn’t want to lose my footing and fall to my demise.

If anybody from BBCNI is reading, I might pitch a TV show where a member of Slade walks it, called Dave Hill does Cavehill.

Even though I got quite high, as far as McArts Fort. I definitely plan on going again, and exploring more of it when I have more time on my hands.

When I do go again, I might go really early, as the sun is rising.

I had three things I wanted to do, walk up Arthur’s Seat, Cavehill and Bray Head. I’ve done two out of three, and plan on finishing off Bray Head in 2020.

As a frequent visitor to Manchester, I might get myself into gear and properly visit the Peak District during spare time I have there. The problem is, I usually visit Manchester during Winter, so it’ll be a bit chilly. It’s a bit chilly at ground level though.

Feel free to hit me up with suggestions for places to walk. Nothing too strenuous.

Photo Album