Since the children were little one of our favourite walks has been up the Minaun.
This is a pleasant , stiff but not too strenuous, walk over the hill which is just at the point of the meeting of the Suir and the Noire at the borders of Waterford,Kilkenny and Wexford.
On this St. Stephens Day, for want of Wran Boys, we tried it again .
As this walk is a 25 year old family tradition it involves certain formulae.
At the barrier at the start of the walk the children always hang like “roast sucking pigs”.

Deirdre could still hang there.

Eileen flopped

Sile just got it wrong.

There have been a lot of changes in the woods here over the last few years.
There are now places where one can see right across to the new Port of Waterford where previously one was in the midst of dense undergrowth.

But also there are places where the rhodendrons have got so dense that one is breaking ones way through narrow low tunnels.

However the watchtower is still an impressive mid way point.
And a good chance for a photo opportunity.

The end of the walk involves us in a backbreaking climb back to the Car.
Fortunately it has a half way bench for welcome chance to breathe.

Back at the car Eileen tried again to be a roast sucking pig and , this time, she succeeded!

Shortly afterwards Caitriona and Aonghus arrived and we demolished the second half of the Turkey.( I still think the reheated bird and trimmings taste better on the day after)