Gougane Barra

It's a mad social whirl - out again for more lunch. I met Margaret here, the plan being to do a brisk walk around the forest then have lunch somewhere. I got out of the car and had a little wander around and it was perishing - an easterly sweeping up the water and temperatures around freezing. We abandoned the walk and headed off to Mannings Emporium in Ballylickey where along and warm lunch was undertaken. I haven't seen her since August so the chat was mighty.

Gougane Barra is the most incredibly scenic spot - literally a place of pilgrimage (St Finbarr patron saint of Cork had a cell here), and weddings. Today I liked this side of the lake, looking in towards the forests where we should have had a walk. These deep and mercurial waters once harboured a fierce dragon, slain by St Finbarr of course.