A white glacial marl bank makes a striking shape beside one of the few overground rivers in this Burren limestone landscape, where the water usually sinks through deep 'grikes' in the bare limestone sheets. Rain approaches from over the hillside, and the shallow mountain river will soon be a torrent. Only an abandoned fence gives sign of human presence. The river bank is haunt for hooded crows and wheatears. I was climbing alone in the bare limestone fields above here when I got caught in a threatening rainstorm a long way from shelter. The scene here reflects that sense of isolation.