Expedition 138 - 23rd July 2005
Samalaman Caves


This was just about the most perfect day for any expedition so far. The Feis had just finished and possibly a lot of explorers were having a lie-in, only four stalwarts turned up: Abbie, Alexander, Robin D, and Sarah, with two helpers: Elizabeth and Philippa, with only Ellie to cover the demanding canine duties.
As one would imagine, with four healthy teenagers, we set a cracking pace and covered the ground very well. We followed the coastal path from Samalaman Beach passing the memorial tree to the young lad and stopping to see some lichens on the old sheep fank.
We quickly pushed on to Graham Croal's stone seat and climbed down to the caves where the explorers investigated every corner of the caves and apparently found some commendably large spiders in the darkest corners. We took a few pictures here before pushing on round the coast to the small cove.
We examined the peculiar boat house but the tide was too high to see the details of the little harbour. However we were able to get out onto the fishing point and see the glacial scratches on the rocks. The day was getting pretty hot at this point and there was a temptation to stretch out on the rocks and take a rest, but the leader was relentless and on we went.
The next bay had some houses and rock shelters and the explorers went into each one before taking a wafer break. There were some huge boulders on the shore and I tried to get a picture of the explorers clustered round the boulders like invertebrates, but it wasn't too successful.
Leaving the shore we negotiated a tricky climb to reach the path up the glen through the birch woods. At the top we reached the township of north Smirisary, where the explorers stood on an old clapper bridge for a picture before climbing back to the road.
From there is was a fairly easy walk back to the beach and the cars, pausing to look at Samalaman House and the little building said to have been the monks' loo.

John Dye


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