Friday, April 8, 2022 - Day 9 The Silent Valley Resevoir

The day was sunny with no rain forecast, but cold with fierce winds. That didn't stop us from looking for somewhere close by to check out, we decided on the Silent Valley Reservoir because it was close, it was on a scenic drive (the Whitewater scenic loop) and we didn't want to go on a longer drive to a site just to get there and freeze in the wind and cold. Good call on our part, it was very cold (windchill of about mid to low 30s) and the wind was quite strong. We have dealt with colder temps in Minnesota, but we're usually better dressed for it with long heavy coats and wool mittens and boots. We do have wool hats and light gloves, but our coats really aren't meant for 30's and even with wool socks my toes got cold quickly.

Here are some pictures from the drive, it isn't easy to find a place to pull over and take pictures, the road is very narrow and single track in some places:

Here I am, waiting in the car while Don takes pictures. You can see how narrow the road is.

It costs $5 GBP to get into the park. There is a lovely little pond, children's playground, toilet facilities, an interpretive center, and a small coffee and tea shop.

Here you can see part of the Mourne Wall, built in the early 1900's, I believe it's about 25 miles long.

Bundled up against the cold, looking at a map trying to figure out if we're going the right way to the reservoir. There are a number of different hikes to go on.

Another view of the Mourne Wall.

It was very windy and the water was very choppy with waves washing up onto the stone ledge.

Some of the water filtration buildings. The Silent Valley Reservoir supplies all of the water to County Down. Our town, Rostrevor, is part of County Down.

We then headed back to Rostrevor, driving part of the way along the High Mourne scenic route.

I consider this to be pretty good road, enough room for two cars and with the lanes clearly marked so you can see where there's no shoulder. Speed on this road is 60 mph although I rarely got above 50.

We went out for a short walk back in Rostrevor later in the day when the sun was shining brightly, it was still very brisk though so we kept it short. Tomorrow we are going to drive the scenic Causeway Coastal Route all the way to the Giant's Causeway.