Today we decide to go
off the beaten track
and instead of hurtling along
at 60mph
we slow down
and turn off the main road
to Grange,
a small village
near Carlingford.

A walking map directs us
in this unknown territory
and within five minutes
we are well and truly
off the beaten track,
heading up a quiet country lane
where a fox cub
watches us curiously,
too young as yet
to know fear of humans.

Our route has many
twists and turns
and leads us along
quiet, grassy lanes
lined with blackberry blossom,
mossy walls,
beautiful, deep orange dandelions
and a tunnel of honeysuckle
that hums gently with bees
all around
as we pass through.

Pine-covered Slieve Foy above us
and Carlingford lough,
blue and sparkling
below.

A haven of peace and tranquility
– such a wonderful reward
for taking the time
to go off the beaten track.
Makes me wonder –
shouldn’t we all take the time
to slow down
from the hectic pace of life
and go off the beaten track
more often?
Who knows what we might discover!

(c) Claire Murray