If you have read some of the other posts hereabouts, then you will know that we  enjoy   walking.   While the fresh air, scenery and exercise are the good parts of this, there are things and people that you will come across on any path that are downright stupid or just plain annoying.   A few of my pet hates are below in no particular order.   By the end of this, you should be able to picture me in full grumpy old man mode, red faced and fuming.   Dog walkers who don’t pick up after their pets.   I’d rather be free to look at the scenery when walking rather than constantly watching where I’m placing my next step like I’m in some sort of minefield.   This problem seems to escalate during the dark days of winter.   The path is less well used at that time of year, hinting that there must be some owners who only pick up when they think someone else is watching.   Thanks assholes! A related problem are the dog owners who pick up, bu...

It’s good to live in a place that actually gives you pleasure.   Somewhere where there is space, scenery and clean air; somewhere good for the soul.   As I said in the last (tangential) piece, ours lies on the shore of Belfast Lough, at the end of a short wooded glen near our home.   Officially the whole walk is 16 miles in length, from Holywood to Donaghadee (or vice versa).   The Walk Ni site has details of this and a load of other good walks province wide: http://www.walkni.com/walks/2/north-down-coastal-path/ It's hard to beat a good sunset.  This is looking West, towards Belfast further up the lough. It is pretty much all good, with only a few short sections on road.   The vast majority is paved, although a few sections are narrow where the path rounds a rocky headland or two.   There are also a few sandy beaches to cross.   That said, since it is at sea level, there are no major hills unless walkers get side-tracked along the w...