Hiking in Wicklow

Yesterday evening I've got an idea. The idea was what to do on Saturday.
The weather would still be sunny and warm so there was only one choice - outdoor activity! :-)
On the Saturday morning I received a message from Peter saying that he, Lucy and Lili plan to jump on bikes and enjoy a little ride. Knowing how their usual weekend day looks like - sleeping till midday and then breakfast, packing and then moving out - I decided against. I also suspected that their Saturday ride will be another oh-no-not-Phoenix-Park-again thing (I was right). Geez.. when we have a whole day to enjoy why do we have to waste time going to Phoenix Park? I can ride in Phoenix Park when I have a little time, 1-2 hours, so it doesn't make sense to ride further. When I have a whole day of a free time - it's simply a waste for me...
By the way - for a short period of time I'm fed up with the bike so I decided for a little hike in Wicklow.
The way to Glencullen (where I started my hike) was a little rough.
I took the first bus from Blanchardstown to City Center. The second bus (14) took me from the City Center to Dundrum. For the third bus I had to wait over 90 minutes.. :-( The bus (44B)took me from Dundrum to Glencullen. This whole bus adventure took me almost 3,5 hours.
One sentence summary --> public transport in Dublin sucks like a vacuum cleaner. :-|
Finally I arrived at Glencullen. (Yipeeee! ;-)
I checked a map, fired up my GPS receiver and headed west. I needed to get to The Wicklow Way because I had a plan to follow it and at the end land again in Dundrum. The weather was soooo good. :-) Warm sun, blue skies and slight gusts of wind made my soul want to sing. ;-) It was so warm that as soon as I left the road and entered the "wilderness" I took off my shirt to catch some sun.
I had all day, there was no haste involved so I enjoyed my time to maximum. I paced slowly, taking photos and marveling at bright sunlight and sweet air, scented with resin. I walked off the designated path once - I took a quick sally to Two Rock Mountain. Just to take a few photos and to check a landmark nearby... ;-) Standing on the top of the mountain I also auto-calibrated an altimeter in my GPS receiver. The height calculated from satellite readings was 536m above sea level. I checked a map - Two Rock Mountain - height - 536 meters. Wow! I was simply astonished - that was a very good performance from my Vista C. Kudos Garmin!
I followed the track further in a general direction of Dublin. I met a few people along the way so my trip was peaceful and undisturbed.
After a few hours I reached a car park near the Stackstown Golf Course that heralded the end of the "wild" part of the trip.
Regretably I missed an opportunity to conquer Kilmashogue Mountain. Maybe another time...
I headed to Dundrum to get on a bus home. This part of the trip was a little less pleasant because of traffic and urban noise but I still enjoyed it. I was never before in Dundrum so it was an opportunity to see something new. I have to admit I like what I saw. Judging from the looks - Dundrum is a nice place to live.
Took a bus and got back to the City Center. When I tried to get on the 39 bus I had a little "issue". I was out of coins ( I spent around 10E for buses today) but I had a 5E banknote. I thought that there wouldn't be any problem with banknotes. There was.
The bus driver told me that he doesn't accept 'notes...
So...
I was standing on a pavement with 5 Euros in a hand and watching the back of the bus disappearing around the corner. Let me tell you - I was VERY pissed off! :-E
Few minutes have passed and I succeeded not to explode. I was tired with a whole day trip and I wanted to get home ASAP. It obviously didn't work.
When I cooled down a little bit I moved in the direction of Connoly Station. I have waited 20 minutes for train to arrive. And after another 30 minutes I landed at home.
Despite the incident with the last bus I was generally happy with the trip.
It was a fine day! :-)