MOURNE TRAIL.13-6-13.

June 13th,my 52nd birthday and our last full day in Northern Ireland before we head home early tomorrow.I decided on a coastal walk doing part of the Mourne Trail from Clough to Newcastle.We took the bus to Clough and got off near it's ruined castle.

We followed the busy,pathless Blackstaff Road and picked up the quieter Ardilea Road which led us to the disused railway line which we picked up.

We turned right and headed for the village of Dundrum following the railway line all the way.

In Dundrum we stopped for tea and scones before leaving the village via the Downshire Bridge.

We now followed the coast around the National Trust owned Murlough Nature Reserve on quite firm sand thankfully.Below,looking across to Dundrum.

Keeping the sand dunes on our right we now had a long walk along the sandy beach back into Newcastle.

The length of this walk was 9 miles with 300 feet of ascent.

MILES WALKED  273
ASCENT                68,700
TOPS                      65.