When I almost stumbled into a group of cows I decided it was time to turn back. The mist had descended quickly, reducing visibility. I started to retrace my steps across the field, I could only see about 10 yards in front but I knew roughly where I was. After stumbling on for a while I arrived at a fence, the other side of which was the black tarmac of a road. I walk the dog along this path most nights there should be no road here. I was totally disoriented. After an initial panic I worked out that this road could only be one of two possible routes and walking left on either would bring me back to familiar landmarks, even so I was very relieved when at last I could work out exactly where I was. Barely half an hour had passed since I started to walk along the path leading up to a viewpoint, it was getting dark and a bit misty but I should have had no problems. I was simply going to follow the grassy track to the top and let the dog run for a while before returning back along the same path. Tonight however even if I had made it to the top I would have seen nothing. Next day when the mist had cleared I went back up to see if I could retrace my steps. Instead of walking straight up I had walked in a circle, possibly being tugged of course by the dog on the lead. Had I not been fortunate to reach the road I could have got very lost. This is a huge area of ground with few roads and not much to distinguish one part of the hillside from another. I was amazed at how easy it was to get lost so near to home. If it happens again I might not be so lucky. I now take a compass and a map and thanks to Domnall McComish, I now know how to use them. Domnall recently led a walk organised by the Mourne Heritage Trust to explain compass navigation as it turned out the weather for the event was perfect. Thick mist.