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Regions - Trip reports, destination advice, recommended routes, etc. => Ireland => Topic started by: henryb on 18:57:04, 09/12/18

Title: From the robin to the rainbow: magical day on Moolieve
Post by: henryb on 18:57:04, 09/12/18

As I drove to Newcastle yesterday I noticed the higher Mournes starting to clag in and while lower slopes were cloud free. I decided to drive to the silent valley reservoir car park to walk the reservoir to ben crom dam and back. I watched a programme recently on TV where volunteers released squirrels in this area and hoped to see one. Unfortunately that didn't happen but as I was lacing up my Salomon boots a robin flew in and perched itself on a bin next to my car. This is actually a common occurrence in this area. The rain started to pour and I put the waterproofs on as I started the nature trail. After emerging from the woods I came to the silent valley reservoir. I noticed the sun breaking out over knockchree as the eastern Mournes were clagged in. As I started to walk the reservoir to ben crom dam a strong gale force wind came and blew all the clouds away. As the peaks came into view, I changed my route and decided to climb the nearest mountain, Moolieve. The summit was gained within half an hour. The wind was really strong and I had to get my coat out as another shower came on. As I descended the mountain a beautiful rainbow appeared over the reservoir. Total distance was nearly 8km.  
The robin:  
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/48077514_2369650543064031_7768469586369839104_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=d7647e69d0e255e576eab5ced9386ee1&oe=5C93C679)  
Silent valley track to Ben crom dam:  
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/48378364_2369653446397074_5059292829818290176_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=99c862aec408d208e0aad5b3c23eb1cc&oe=5CA9F0C1)  
Slievenaglogh, Doan, Meelmore, Meelbeg, Carn and Muck:  
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/48277351_2369655109730241_3178006972741976064_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=727517149b0d7943e1e89905b468faa6&oe=5CAABED0)  
Silent Valley from the ascent of Moolieve:  
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/48375790_2369655406396878_5951501551745892352_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=305e9b31958d7725f04d066a16e506bc&oe=5CA0A797)  
Slievenaglogh and the central Mournes:  
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/48257035_2369657173063368_5763254840264228864_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=a4a23832a3bca270885bef7bf2dca381&oe=5CAD9841)  
Wee Binnian and Slieve Binnian:  
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/47684393_2369657516396667_7959978870973661184_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=2e72ee68aee996338bdb12a81d0527d6&oe=5CA7F932)  
Knockchree:  
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/47688899_2369658989729853_2872285853378412544_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=76d9a0593f1e71d93bc2c72f5bcf5af9&oe=5C6847CD)  
Eagle, Moughanmore, Muck and Slievenaglogh:  
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/47580322_2369661606396258_2529120470393946112_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=2e6f5df98370a3ff800ab725414fe554&oe=5CA5DC98)  
Slievenaglogh, Muck, Carn, Slieveloughshannagh, Meelbeg and Meelmore:  
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/48363388_2369661883062897_8010897091247210496_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=eb27911a2767e767370824208aba4295&oe=5C660196)  
The rainbow:  
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/l/t1.0-9/48364178_2369662229729529_3609125091150921728_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=bd8be352e55bf07e515c504d29f02451&oe=5C678057)  
A duck in Sallylough:  
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/48361463_2369641613064924_2933177034957914112_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=977f696d84fc8428bd1899be4b264576&oe=5C64F647)  

 

Title: Re: From the robin to the rainbow: magical day on Moolieve
Post by: adalard on 20:02:55, 09/12/18

Great photos, Henry - always enjoy my "virtual trips" around those mountains, thanks for sharing.  O0

Title: Re: From the robin to the rainbow: magical day on Moolieve
Post by: sunnydale on 08:58:14, 10/12/18

Lovely photos Henry O0

Title: Re: From the robin to the rainbow: magical day on Moolieve
Post by: beefy on 09:35:43, 10/12/18

Great pics henry O0
Love the Robin and duck pics

Title: Re: From the robin to the rainbow: magical day on Moolieve
Post by: April on 08:53:22, 11/12/18

More great pics henry, I too love the robin and mandarin duck  O0

Title: Re: From the robin to the rainbow: magical day on Moolieve
Post by: richardh1905 on 21:47:40, 17/12/18

Lovely photos, lovely mountains - must visit some day.


Is Moolieve the 320m high hill due east of the dam? It appears to be unnamed on viewranger.