It's Got an Exotic Name

My friends and fellow travellers were rather surprised at the lack of public footpaths in Ireland. They struggled with the fact that they could see wonderful mountains just waiting to be climbed, but couldn't just get out there and climb them, as most of the land is private. This is of course very different to what they're used to in England.

I was keen to show them, that there are ways of enjoying a good walk in Ireland and so, I took them to a really special place, Gleninchaquin Park.

This is an award winning farm and park which offers a variety of different way marked walks through some truly breath taking scenery. True there is a modest admission charge, but for that you get car parking, toilets, a tea room, a friendly welcome and a choice of well planned and maintained walks to suit just about everyone. And the cost was no more than the National Trust charge for car parking at a local beauty spot near to our Norfolk home.

And there is more to the walks than simply lovely scenery. There is a lot of interesting local history. One of the first stops on the yellow trail that we did, was to see a farm restoration project. What we went to see was an old crofter's dwelling from the 18th century. There was an information board telling us lots of interesting information about how people managed to scrape a living from the land (have you spotted us amongst the greenery?)

It told us that in the 18th century there were over 100 people living in the valley, in houses just like the one we are about to show you. Now only 2 people live there; we think this is rather sad.

Having read about the house, we went to see it. The entrance was perfect for us vertically challenged bears, but our minders found it quite low. It was a very simple dwelling with just one room and we think it would have been quite cold most of the year. No doubt sharing it with animals would have helped keep the occupiers warm though.

We've loads more to tell you about our walk, so we'll be back soon.

Lots of love Patrick and friends xxx

Fresh Air Wins the Vote

After such a big lunch, there were really only two options: to sleep it off or walk it off. After a mini conference we decided that to go for a walk would be more productive for the Hertfordshire chapter of the Friendly Planet Guide.

Our local contacts dropped us off at an access point to the Nickey Line. This is a now disused railway line which runs between Hemel Hempstead and Harpenden and provides some excellent leisure opportunities. We studied the information board to find out more.


Excuse the shadow, our minders decided to get in the way and also please don't worry about the colour of the cloud overhead. It was actually a nice day and we stayed dry.

But guess what? When we got back Chelmer said he was hungry again and ready for tea. Where does he put it all?

Lots of love, all at Bears Unlimited xxx