Omeath The Wild Wild Mushroom

Its a mushroom hunting season between now till early October. I know many wants to know the exact location. But I can't tell you, mushroom hunters have their own jealousy guarded secret. But if you are a really interested, you know the place, its in Omeath and from there you can smell the mushroom from afar.
As a matter of fact mushroom are found in every county but to know which one are edible is a test of skills and experience.

I am blessed with a partner who knows everything about mushroom. No! she didn't learn them from Cambridge U. Its all about survival which she adopted during her childhood days. Now its her time to passed on the survival skills to her children. How to track a forest, what is edible, learn about insects, hear what the trees says and many more survival skills.

Never destroy a mushroom, leave room for future, cut the stem and leave the roots as shown in the picture. This will enable them to regrow the next season. Seen a teenager pick one up with the roots on my way driving down the mountain makes my heart break, see trees being cut by illegal tree robbers make me sick. There are many campers who have no moral for the nature.

So before we begin our expedition, we need to be properly energize with 100% protein for the long and tedious journey. Get all the stuff from the local butcher and not from your neighborhood supermarket. Because they sell the real stuff. How do you know it's the real Mc Coy? I will tell you more about Family Butcher; The Dying Profession on my future blog.


There are many wild mushroom in Ireland but only a couple of dozen are edible. If you interested in Wild Mushroom joined a club, which you can easily Google one near to where you lived.

There are more species which I didn't show here, these are what you normally see in the woods. Only 2 are edible. One of it was consider Yes and No because during the early 90's many people got sick after eating it. Then again, they try and it found to be okay, but still skeptical better don't try. You never know after all they are fungi. Got this information from Rox.

Some trees are marked, if you are scouting the area, be aware of every distinguish marking, that could be your sign for survival, so you won't get lost.

Be watchful, stay close, look ahead at all time, some could get carried away by the nature.

 Toddlers get bored from long walks, they kept running back and forth chasing us, because its either she is on the lead or watching us at the back. So spend a little time to mingle and fun play. This will energize their hyper from the heavy protein and sweet juices.

 If you see a stream from the mountain, go for a drink, trust me no water is purer than the mountain water. Unless you live in China or elsewhere where too many factories and over polluted environment. Ireland is still safe to drink anywhere up in the mountain.

Time to get back to reality, the escape to nature was fun and healthy. We even discover some odd buildings, and will show you one before signing off below.

A house extension for 3 centuries, by the look of it, I can say between 17 to 20 century, except the slates or rocks from the first house was broken down and replace by zinc. Wanted so much to get in there  but unfortunately no one live in there anymore.

Glendalough the Glacial Vallley

A remarkable place that you can easily get inspired by the rich history and archaeological existing. Getting there itself is a wonderful scenic drive. Of course you can drive all the way up to the upper lake. But we park our car at the first entrance so we can walk the entire route about 1.5km which is not to bad. Before we get into the the land of Valley. Let me tell you something about the journey.

This time drove from a different route, which is one of the longest journey, crossing one mountain after another. One important thing which I like to emphasize on any journey. DO NOT discuss Politic, Religion or even Theatrical or Celebrities.. Stay neutral. I had a bad experience which is partly my fault from an innocent debate turns out nasty. So wear the T-Shirt in your heart KEEP CALM and BE NEUTRAL.

Crossing the mountain, you see many wonderful scenic place. I don't have any idea what you call this valley, what I know is from the look of it the river, it flows right to the Glendalough lake.

Here we are, a few pace from the car park. We have our daily ration which is nothing to shout about. Some ham and bread, rice pudding and cupcakes. Can't move without a nice hot Earl's Grey. Unlike Asia, places like this will be infested with hawkers and local produce. Europe eat your own. Look at the background mountain. That is destination we heading, all the way up to the Coal mining area. Looks like it gonna be a real long walk. I estimate about 3km or maybe more.

The weather is unpredictable, one moment a burst of cold sunshine, then comes the gloomy 50 shades of grey. That is Ireland, be prepared for all season if you on tracking. Before we stop, we did a fast briefing about the route. And this is my first shot on the 6th century monastery by the river.

After taking this short, its time to catch up with my family. Guess what, I lost them, I either bypass them or they were few hundreds steps ahead which is normal. T-junction left or right, we have our briefing, all the way up which is right. So I forward and as I go after them, split path way 1.4km and 1.6km to the upper lake, what should I do. I turn back to the last spot which is here. I don't see them. My heart was racing faster than my feet. I double up my speed and reach for the shorter distant which she have walk before with her family once. No joy, I kept walking, and try to relax a little as we been through may dangerous mountain, woods and forest. furthermore she is well experience,even if she lost, she can survive the forest as she knows all about edible plants, berries and mushroom.

After 1/2hr walk, I kept hearing sound faraway of my little boys. I guess they can't be far out. Rest a a few minutes as I was carrying more than 10kg on my back. Water, Cokes for energy,tripods, cameras and biscuits. I did reach for my mobile earlier, you know what, 'Murphy Laws' that was my biggest mistakes. Past the mangrove swaps, still no sign of them. Did ask passerby if they see them but none notice. I better stop asking otherwise they raise a false alarm and they call for search team. So I kept
moving forward.

Ok, gotta stay calm, try to relax a  little, don't want a heart attack in the middle of this first lake which is half way to the main upper lake. Guess she should be alright. I have full confidence on her as she grew up picking mushroom in her native land and see much bigger and densely populated forest than this. This is nothing, all along there path way, even wheel chair is friendly let alone buggies.

Stayed for a couple of minutes, in hope for she took the longer path which is 1.6, after this I tried to go the other path for 1/5 of the way still no joy. Turn back and headed back the same way I came, this time I slows down my speed as I am pretty confidence they are ok.

Take a short breath, take a short to relax my mind, nothing in it except can't wait to meet them halfway or the beginning of our walk.

What a relieved when I cross the bridge and see little Gabi rolling down the grass slope and was happy to see them in my heart. But my face still felt a little disappointed that I couldn't find them. Was pointing fingers on her for hiding away from me and do it on purpose because of the debating during the journey. I was wrong again. Over assumption, small heart and blame attitude, that was my downfall. In fact she did waited for me at the first bench. It was my blindness and my unresponsive or rather overlook on small detail and I can't even do it right.

Apologetic and shameful to myself. I am wrong all the way. The moral of the story is BE CALM BE LOVE.

St Annes Park Dublin Garden of Eden

Nah! its not the Garden of Eden, I called it that because during Rox pregnancy she used to walk for endless hours before and after with the boys. Its a perfect place to walk at any seasons of the year. Situated less than half an hour walk from city centre on the coaster road to Howth near Clontarf.

I didn't concentrate on the regal landscape this time because I want to talk about Family Photography at the park. Here are one of the many entrance to the infamous Rose Garden which held yearly during July. There are many species and if you like still photography, better don't miss this area.

A rose is a rose so what? But than again, you wonder if you want to capture a still life picture, the question which rose you want to pick for the shot? Many will look for the vibrant perfect rose. Van Gogh can get a bunch of nice Sunflower to draw, but he didn't, some of the sunflowers are nearly dried and gone. I am not VG. I felt to make a an image pops out, you need reality not plastic flower look. So here you see a a petal imperfect. I don't want to go into technicality on how to adjust your camera. Even a camera phone can do that, its just the composition and the right light source with a sturdy hand.

I know, when you out in the park or garden, many will pop out the smart phone or camera shouting and calling the kiddies, 'look here' 'say cheese' 'show the peace sign' and many more you can think of. No, there's nothing wrong with it. But at the end of the day, most of your pictures turn up the same. Let your children explored, let your partner go freely as she likes after all its a casual walk, no stress, no orders, you do your part capture the moments and let the picture tell the story. Here the composition is about a two kids enjoying conversational play, mum is busy shooting in the background.

Portraiture at the park creates some dramatic effect, you don't need any canvas to give you a backdrop. The trees and the greens itself gives you a stunning backdrop. Try to lay back, observe every movement and plays create by the subjects, you will able to shoot a comfortable and yet innocent portraiture.

Foreground and background are equally important on landscape, it give you the impression of actually walking through the garden. You don't want to concentrate just on the subject itself like the clock tower but instead what you convey the message of imagination.

Extend your scope of awareness, somethings are not important but for archive or story telling purpose you just shoot, how often do you see a flower without leaves  grown out of nowhere from the ground notice the blurry stem, shows the wind is strong.

Sozhou Chinese garden in Dublin? Yes! we were lucky, in fact I didn't realize there was a Chinese garden here in St Annes Park. So if you out anywhere, talk to locals, be friendly. I met an old timer, I was walking fast trying to catch up with the kids. All of a sudden I look up the clouds at 30°, the clouds seems to be forwarding at tremendous speed. Thought my brain is was playing tricks, so there I discover brain functioning on fast walk looking down the walkway creates an illusion of motion. So I broke the ice and ask him did he encounter such thing, one thing lead to other he told me of a secret garden hidden behind the Clock tower.

Even you focus on photography, meantime, you can spend exploring the crafted shed and observed every detail of the craftsmanship. Although is a tiny garden, there is lots of character on it. we spend nearly an hour from meditation to harnessing the man made features. The bamboo is really therapeutic.

Back to nature, feel the pebble, feel the air, feel everything around you, relax and spend a few minutes thinking of nothing except emptiness, harness the nature that man created and kindly sponsored by the Government of China.... in the land that once belongs to the Guinness Family.

Think out of the box. Let the subject explore. Be every ready of her movement. Here you see a surreal pose that makes you wondering why the hand sticking out there and yet the image is odd but unique.

Time to say goodbye, as we encounter the sunshine, the rain, the coldness and the dusk in just a few hours. Next episode, Glendalough.

Tollymore Forest the first Northern Ireland Park

At the foot of the Mourne mountain lies the first forest park in Northern Ireland call Tolleymore Forest. If you into mountain walks or simply spend a lovely weekend enjoying the nature trail. You don't want to miss this one. Entrance to the park cost £4.50 per car, and if you feel like harnessing the nature and see shooting stars in the night, you can spend the night there at £16.50 per night. I might do that one day. I wasn't prepared for that as we were skeptical about finding the location.

Honestly, we have travel to the this part many times yet we lost our bearings many times. This is not the entrance to the Forest Park, its just an outdoor centre for people who wants to develop and improve skills. MLM people and students find this a very challenging place for ice breaking or improve your communication skills. If you in here you got the wrong entrance. Travel a mile down the road you find a little village call Brynsford, follow the sign.

Here you are, the humble entrance only good for one way traffic. Before entering, the structures already sent signal to your  imagination that you're walking into the past. Kind of a 17th century feel. I don't know why one of the side door are sealed. Do you?

Moment of truth, this forest is about 630 hectares of beautiful landscape and some bridges are not maintain or rebuilt, walkways are accessible for wheelchairs but you still need to carry if you have to go through some steps. See the Scots Pine on the extreme left, a very rare tree. Remember Titanic, many of the interiors woods are from this parts of the forest such as cedars, Pine, Red woods and etc.

Here we are, our first few hundred steps after passing the gateway to the forest. A small hesitant question arise from my partner. Do we really want to do it. There are four ways to track the trail, from 5.2 km to 13km.
   Based on our average walk, we do 1 hour for a kilometre on mountain climb. This is not a mountain climb so it would take us roughly 4 hrs to cover 5km. We opt for the shorter trail as the kids age 2 and 3 1/2 are not ready for such a tedious walk. But the well train to walk and play at the same time. They used more energy than us cos they running back and forth.

For photography and yet enjoyable walk, you find it very relaxing, no worries, no pressure, no rush and enjoy every thing your eyes can be fed. As usual mountain walk or just forest walk, the cokes are for the kids, it gives them hyper power, for us a bottle of water and some sweets to regain some energy. There are many hidden traps along the way. Watch out! Gabriel fell again, maybe its his walking motion or cheekiness, roots can be sprouting out of no where., stones could be slippery, soil can be soft if you steps on the wrong ones.

Camera phone and compact camera doesn't goes well in the forest. If you really want to get a good shot get a SLR. If you have no choice, always try to land your compact on good surface if you didn't carry a tripod and if you using a Iphone or Samsung make sure you have a sturdy hand and rest against a tree or a rock. Free hand shooting will end up regretting, take your time compose your shot. After all you on a mesmerizing walk, not shooting candids.

Robin Hood and Little John did not cross path here but I guess its about the same idea. Many trees have fallen, so in order for me to capture this shot. I have to climb up the soft soil, kind of a moss soil. I can hardly stand properly and slip downward to the stream along with my camera but was catch by this fallen tree. Phew. Reminds me of Klang Gates Malaysia, crystal clear water, unpolluted and drinkable except taste a little like ales.

Yes, we pick lots of blackberries on our way, better than chewing gums, you can't eat the red ones, they not ripe yet. Its good to know something about forest, many edible flowers, mushroom and berries can be eaten. But I am not sure about the left and right on the picture. I might try eating it one day. 

Many might just read a plaque and walk away, but I did stand there for quite long. My mind was wondering and asking lots of question. Is it during the early 18th century, the culture relies a lot on friendship or is it a trend? I think during the olden days people are very 'Yee Hei' in Chinese literally means Honour if I am not wrong. 
21st century are more to materialistic  If you successful or pretty well to do, you can see in your FB lots of appraisal and lot of nice comments and caring. If you broke or unsuccessful in life, even your own flesh and blood disown or ignore you....lol Anyway, that 21st century thinking. Forget about a bridge in memory of you. 

They can't be bother to sent you a bunch of flowers to your grave, what you get is a message RIP into your facebook. And you be forgotten in no time but then again, when they get a little piss, they bring out some funny ponders and what the person is. Sick but true, that is life, many just wear a mask just to pass through the day.

Move on, this is the bridge and memorable place for 2 good friends, I guess the 2 dome denotes the partnership.



Even there are 2 windows specially design for them 2 to watch the river flows and enjoy the scenic landscape.

Some tress are few hundred years old, I don't know anything about trees, but I am sure this one is really old.

 There are more than 10 bridges here. I didn't actually count them, but there are at least 4 broken bridges that never replace. Most of them have no names on it.

This is the only bridges with name. Parnell's Bridge.
Written on the sign was 'PLACES THAT TIME FORGOT'



Do not attempt and try copy these pose with your child if you are not prepared to jump down with your camera. They have been train on high terrains, mountains, rivers, and slippery hill walks. So beware, I will hold no responsibility on your action.

This forest is so unique that it looks the same everywhere you go, but in reality, I can't even explain how interesting they are. Only in the eyes of creativeness, you will see the differences. Every angle you see, every blink of the eye creates the beauty of mother nature masterpiece.

His life would be sacrificed, and spiritually sown into the earth.
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