NUMBER 827

BENCHMARKS continued

M.C., who wrote the book on benchmark hunting, gave as Tip Number 2, to always carry a backup camera. (Tip Number 1 is to always know of a venue for post-hunt dining before setting out on the hunt.) Whether Michael Byrne has read the book or not is unclear. Maybe he didn't have to because when his camera battery went flat on his most recent hunt, he simply switched to his tablet to record this one and the following two. It's on the north side of the Old Connaught Avenue in Bray in County Wicklow.

Below: A 'mark on Old Connaught Avenue in Bray.

 

Above: Looking west on Old Connaught Avenue with the 'mark at bottom right.

NUMBER 797

BENCHMARKS continued

This one from Michael Byrne is on the corner of a building in ruins, on the Kilruddery Demesne to the south of Bray in County Wicklow.

Below: A 'mark in Kilruddery Demesne in Bray.

 

Above: a view of the ruined building with the 'mark at bottom right.

  

NUMBER 795

BENCHMARKS continued

With its russet and amber tones and the sparkling azure sea below, it could be a view of Amalfi; or even Fuenteventura or maybe Zakinthos; or perhaps Torrevieja. (No - on second thoughts - perhaps not Torreieja.) Where it actually is, is Bray. Yes, Bray. And it was there on the Cliff Walk that heads out of the town and goes south to Greystones, that Michael Byrne spotted this fine one while on a ramble.

Below: A 'mark along the Cliff Walk overlooking Bray in County Wicklow.

Above: From the Cliff Walk looking north west towards Bray with the 'mark at bottom right.

 

NUMBER 781

BENCHMARKS continued

The quiet - except during the Summer Festival - town of Bray, County Wicklow is the location of this one. It's on the base of the railings on Quinsborough Road at the junction with Wyndham Park.

Below: A 'mark on Quinsborough Road in Bray.

 

Above: Looking west on Quinsborough Road with the 'mark at bottom left on the base of the railings.

NUMBER 398

BENCHMARKS continued

A classic 'mark from M.C., located at the junction of Putland Road and Sidmonton Road in the holiday resort town of Bray, Co Wicklow.

Below: The 'mark on Putland Road.

 

Above: At Putland Road looking north into Sidmonton Road with the 'mark at left.

NUMBER 396

BENCHMARKS continued

Not waving but drowning! M.C. arrived just in time to record the final moments of this one - on Bray Bridge, Co Wicklow - as it sinks to its doom under the sea of ever-rising concrete, to be lost for ever and all time. The great urgency of Benchmarker's heroic quest has seldom been more starkly illustrated. Tempus fugit!

Below: The 'mark on Bray Bridge. The top bar of the 'mark can just be seen below the stone testifying the identity of builders of the edifice.

  

Above: Bray Bridge looking towards Main Street with the 'mark just below the stone plaque on the wall at left.