The Wicklow Way with Dana

In a sequence that is slowly turning into a tradition, Dana and I set off on what promised to be a spectacular hike this Saturday morning. Our first such joint walk was November two years ago in the Peak district near Sheffield, whereas last November we walked in a wide loop around Winsor Castle and Eton. Naively we thought to keep on pushing our luck by scheduling a third consecutive daylong stroll this time of the year, in Ireland of all places. Well, let’s say our next outdoor activity will be in summer.

  

Gale-force winds nearly pushed me off the wooden beams that kept us a foot above the swampy bog below. The landscape was truly unforgiving as it did not provide any shelter from the howling wind and sharp rain that made your face feel sunburnt after half an hour. Later the bristly rain turned heavy, first drenching my shorts and not long thereafter seeping into my shoes which made them soggy, heavy, and very cold. Whereas we had been our usual chatty selves for the first two hours of the walk, during which we enjoyed acceptable weather and stunning vistas, Dana noticed out loud at some point that we had kept silent for a good while, ploughing through the rain, cold and wet and miserable. It was as if your mind was set on the next step, and the next one, and the next one, and this sole focus and determination didn’t leave any room for conversation.

Well. That was quite tough. But the final destination, a cosy cottage at the end of a dead-end street a few kilometres off the Wicklow way, was all the more appreciated for its open fire, warm showers, warm tea, warm dinner and welcoming hosts. Speaking for myself I have to say that I enjoyed the evening tremendously. Chatting in the common room with Gijs from the Netherlands, thereafter over dinner and wine with Simon from Australia, and lastly some quality time with Dana and the table topics cards I got from Koen a while ago, in front of the smouldering ashes of what was left of the fire. The deprivations of the day made a splendid combination with the warm soft beds and made me sleep even better that normal. I couldn’t believe my eyes the next morning with blue skies and radiant sunlight pouring through the window. Well, at least we got to enjoy some of the views from the car on the way back to Dublin! All in all a tremendous weekend despite the challenging weather conditions... Dana thanks so much for coming over, and, quoting my Erasmus-era friend Carlos, soon more and better!!