These are the adventures of Andy and Sally Rawnsley on their narrowboat "The Puzzler". We have been living on the boat for over nine years now and are still loving it. Our Ulster born Shih Tzu, Shannon, has grown up, and has taken over the boat! After three wonderful years in Ireland, we transported The Puzzler to The Netherlands, and spent a year there. In 2015 we went southwards, to reach the north of France by June. After glorious weather throughout the summer, we arrived in Roanne in late October, and enjoyed our winter in this friendly port. We cruised extensively in France in 2016, 2017 and 2018, returning to Roanne each winter.


Sunday 11 September 2011

4th - 11th September. Portumna and Meelick Quay

Strong winds being forecast for the early part of next week, we left Terryglass and Lough Derg on Sunday morning. Once through the swing bridge at Portumna, back on the River Shannon, we pulled into the town harbour, managing to moor across a corner.
 The Puzzler found a new friend, as we were moored with our bows overlapping this yacht!

Supervalue having delivered our shopping right to the boat, we settled down to sit out the storm.
Sadly, there was a major fire at the Shannon Oaks Hotel in Portumna on Wednesday, with the smoke being seen for miles around. This hotel was one of the most popular in County Galway. It will be a great miss to the town, although plans are already underway for its rebuilding.
By Thursday the wind had abated, so we set off upstream. This time, where possible, we took the scenic route behind islands, rather than following the main marked channel. Here we are emerging from behind Sally Island!


Victoria Lock was quite busy, as other boats are also on the move today.

Meelick Quay is a single wall, with room for four or five boats to moor. The big steel cruiser has been here for five years - owner unknown! We pulled in in front of the small cruiser.


Barge 49M chugged past. She is the oldest unconverted Guiness barge on the Irish Waterways.

Even stronger winds are forecast for the weekend when the tail end of hurricane Katya will reach us! Meelick Quay is comparatively sheltered, but even so our satellite dish has to be set up on the bank for a good TV picture.

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