Cave Hills

Few of the lads who works for my previous employer this January were being adventurous and decided to hike one of the hills that encapsulates Belfast. Bad planning i guess they were stranded and finally two NI rescue helicopters had to come down to rescue them. Thats because there were ten of them and all of them idiots! The pilots thanked them instead of the gesture being the other way around because for each rescue they get one point and thanks to ten jokers they got 10 points in one go. The moral of the story the worst thing that can happen on a hill hiking mis adventure is a free helicopter ride and a contribution to the rescue teams appraisal.
Win - Win.Now thats not too bad according to my standard. So pulled in my room mate into this mission. Destination Cave Hills; en route to the Belfast castle.

The castle is mid way to the hill top so its an iconic castle that can be spotted from anywhere within the city. As we walked towards the bus stop we decided to step into the George's market. This has been a market place since centuries for the local farmers to sell what every they had to sell. The belief is prices are cheap and quality is great. I can agree on the Quality aspect. From fresh soiled vegetables to fresh sea food, from bonsai plants to home made oils and bread.
Everything was there. bustling with people and tourists the ambiance was great. A perfect market place. Nestled amidst all this conundrum is a coffee shop. Some people do like to have coffee is a crowded place I guess.
We headed off on a four mile journey on the first seat on the second deck of a double decker bus. Bus driver was good enough to stop at the closest point to the castle for us blokes. After a sort walk we did get to the castle, which i must say is not that impressive in size.
It was built late 12th century and handed over from lords to other lords over generations. Now its in the safe hands of the Belfast council which rents out the premises for conferences and marriages.
A noteworthy structure was an Italian designed staircase where one lord gave it as a present for his wife. I must try that with my future wife. "Look Honey, I have a marriage anniversary present for you, a beautiful stair case !!".
I did notice statues of cats in various pose lying around in the garden. I guess the previous owner did love felines.
Done with the castle, now up the hill.
It was one of the most serene and splendid hikes. Under lush green cover with sunlight playing games through the leaves was a smoothing experience. For the kind of brainless work we do in front of a screen for eight hours a day this absolutely rejuvenated my senses.

Six hundred meters above the sea level gave us a good view of the city which is not that large in area. The hill gets the name Cavehill due to a man made cave. This cave once sheltered localities during the WWII blitz. I find that hard to believe because once I got to see the cave I for one sure can say that it could not accommodate no more than thirty. Then came the most interesting bit getting to the top of the hill and to spice things up, find your own path. I being an ignoramus myself thought the path carved out by rain water to be a trail but realised it was too steep. At one point i had engage four wheel drive. I had to cross a twenty feet section of just plain muddy slope at forty five degree gradient! I kid you not, thats too steep, one slip of the foot and like Jack and Jill's rhyme will be tumbling down hundred meters. While at this point , when I was on all fours I was in a dilemma to go back or to take the risk. If I take the risk then who will have to bear the trouble of my ignorance. That is when I had the Epiphany. I take the risk and I cross the section at least I will live further with the thought that I have guts to do that crazy stunt. I live as a happier man. Or I could go back and come to the top of the hill on the beaten track and feel nothing special about it. "Option one please". My roomie with bated breath watched me with his finger ready on this mobile to call 999 if the unpleasant happens. But, hey I am writing this blog! So did make it through. I feel that age has not got the better off me. The kid in me is alive that is a very reassuring feeling. My room mate spent the next twenty minutes trying to do the same while I was on stand by with the 999. Later be back tracked and got to the hill top. The view was spectacular. Thanks to the Irish weather gods it was perfect. For a more thrilling experience I sat at the edge of the cliff with more than 100 meters of high quality breeze between my feet and ground. Took some snaps to cherish this accomplishment thinking of another day to hike another mountain. Thats what makes us all tick. Hiked down the mountain with one disappointed; No free helicopter ride this time.
for more pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/badri.nair/BelfastCastle#