Exercising locally is the rule we all now need to follow and local here is so local that “Grand Day Out” walks with their Northern Ireland wide focus are not appropriate.

However the principle of finding walks in places others might once have considered too ordinary, too close to home – (not Instagram or social media worthy) is at the core of my purpose for “Grand Day Out (NI)”. That same principle works just as well for all our immediate neighbourhoods.

In recent times many have sadly come to view parochial as a term of derision or even abuse – yet really coming to truly know your own “parish” is a lifetime work. Patrick Kavanagh once wrote:

A gap in a hedge, a smooth rock surfacing a narrow lane, a view of a woody meadow, the stream at the junction of four small fields, these are as much as a man can fully experience.

Patrick Kavanagh from “Kavanagh’s Weekly” 24th May 1952

Also in coming to know our parish we should also come to care for and improve it, for ourselves, our neighbours and future visitors.

So as you walk local these difficult days, look and appreciate what is around you already and think and plan how we all working together it could make it even better in the future.

Stay safe – walk well

Charlie Reid

Updated 24th March

The update is short today – stay at home.

Only walk locally once a day for exercise and ensure you keep the 2m social distancing guidelines. If you see someone ahead on a narrow pavement – cross over the road they will understand. Distancing is for everyone’s good.

None of the routes described here are appropriate for this purpose.

I will keep “Grand Day Out” online on the chance that reading some of my descriptions, maps and photographs might be helpful to someone. Perhaps to plan for future days out in better times or to help remember or experience these beautiful places.

Also I want to be ready for when restrictions lift, so I will continue to add content I have already collected and improve maps and other resources.

Stay safe

Charlie Reid