This week I took a few days off to go on a walking trip in the west of Ireland. Luckily the weather was fantastic. The most enjoyable achievement was the climb to the top of Croagh Patrick. This is a 2500 foot mountain which has been regarded as a sacred site since prechristian times. There is a tradition of pilgrimage to this mountain stretching back 5000 years. This is also the mountain where St. Patrick is reputed to have spent 40 days fasting and from where he banished snakes from Ireland.

The trek to the top is a difficult walk especially the final section where you walk on loose stones. The view from the top is breathtaking and luckily there was no mist on the day that we were there. However if the walk up was difficult the walk down was really hard. The loose stones just keep moving under your feet and it is so easy to slip. Its also a little disconcerting to see youngsters actually running on the mountain. I know they are in training for a triathlon called Gael Force which involves Kayaking on Killary Harbour, Cycling to Croagh Patrick and running  up and down!!!! Not for the faint hearted.

Here I am at the top of Croagh Patrick

There were lots of people climbing the mountain and there was a great sense of camararderie.  There is also a great sense of achievement which makes you think about the beauty and the wonder of the world.