Blog 6 Ely Lodge/Lough Nevar/Monea Castle

So Adventure 7 & we headed back to County Fermanagh and as always Mc Donalds was our first stop. We got up at our normal time around 7.30 am and left for 8-8.30am there wasn’t too much sun but it was to be a dry day. Tracey decided that we shall go to Ely Lodge which had several walks and, of course as you would expect we did them all. Once we got there we began walk number one which took us through the forest, the path or route was not very clear at times as we had to turn around at several points to go in the correct direction.

I was in a delightful mood, especially when taking photos as always although, I did not take many on this particular route. Once we finished up the main two walks around the forest and jetty, Tracey decided to go to Carrickreagh Viewpoint which was started just across the road and let me just say I was not ready for the climb up and around and meeting my worst enemy…. STAIRS! which, actually were not too bad.

At the top there is a hut which is covered in peoples names either written or carved into the wood to say when they have been there, I laughed though as I saw the name ‘Elvis Presley 14/3/1951 written in the wood. I sat and rested & took in the breeze & feelings whilst looking out over Lough Erne. Tracey looked around a bit before doing the same.

Once we took a drink and rested we set off back to the car, Tracey suggested we should eat lunch at Lough Navar, a walk that she had done a few weeks earlier & I am glad you could drive up because I would have dropped if I had to walk the full way. We sat at a picnic bench admiring the views, chatting & eating when a herd of Cows come running over the brow of the hill and stood staring right at us for 5 minutes or so before running away again, it was weird especially when one of the cows got a bit randy with another.

After lunch, we drove on up and around Navar and I could not believe the view from the top. Stretching out over Lough Erne you could see places in Fermanagh, Sligo, Tyrone and Donegal. There is also a memorial for Airmen who died in plane crashes in Lough Erne during the war which is a loving tribute to those brave men. On the way back we stopped at Monea Castle, (a stunning ruin that makes for some great photos and profile pics) on our way home to a lovely Sunday roast which brought to an end such a lovely day.

Overall that day I had done just around 8.2 miles and 17,008 steps and I would defiantly recommend the walks we had done especially if you have an early start. Photographers I would say take your camera for sure because you get some crackers at the viewpoints and depending on your tastes and weather could get great shots in Ely Lodge forest & Jetty.

This blog and the next few have been in Co Fermanagh & Tyrone Mostly and will be for a while Partly due to COVID but also because we aim to visit all the Geo parks and as I write this on October 12th after 3 more adventures since Ely Lodge we have done 9 of the Geopark sites thus far with 10 more to go!

Don’t forget if you want to follow my Instagram a.mcphotography1 for the shots of these trips, future trips and other projects to come you are more than welcome & if you want to message me about them or anything at all then feel free.

Until next time my friends Please, stay safe, healthy and keep exploring.