We walked up the wrong mountain....

...and only got up halfway before coming down and realizing it was only a hill! The real mountain, Slieve Donard, the highest of the twelve Mourne Mountains, was hidden in the clouds the whole time...until, of course, we got on the bus to leave and the cloud miraculously disappeared.

Still, it was a beautiful morning when we arrived at 10am in Newcastle.

It was incredibly sunny and incredibly cold--no protection from the wind down by the ocean. We thought the peak to the right was our destination, but notice the strategically placed cloud. There is a mountain behind that.

We got separated from the original group at the outset, and this meant two things: 1. We had time to take plenty of pictures, because 2. we had no idea where we were supposed to be going, so we just made it up.

We began our hike in woods. Tree roots were treacherous and beautiful.

Lovely Irish green everywhere and water rushing down from the invisible mountain.

Built in 1842, the predecessor to our modern picnic table. I think.

After meandering through the woods on our self-designated path, and seeing only one person hurtling down the hill on his mountain bike, we finally got above the tree line.

Sam, John, myself, Sara, and Catrin--halfway up the hill and we didn't go much higher. It began to rain, and we were pretty sure that the "path" we were following belonged to the sheep. I plan to go back again, to conquer Slieve Donard, just as soon as I have a map.

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Incidentally, Newcastle is only a few minutes from Annalong, where I volunteered with Mediation Northern Ireland on Halloween. I am happy to say that there really is nothing to report. The only fire was an enormous bonfire on the Catholic/Nationalist/Republican side of the harbour, which is an annual tradition and according to other volunteers that night was nowhere near the size of most Northern Ireland bonfires. It was around 30 feet high, with beds, chairs, wooden pallets, and tires piled onto it. I was told that a traditional way to light a bonfire, if the weather makes it difficult, is to throw a petrol bomb. Since it was such a clear night though, it wasn't necessary.

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It's Reading Week this week! No classes and loads of homework!