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.


Wednesday 2 April 2014

28th - 31st March 2014. Leaving Enniskillen for the last time, en route for The Netherlands.

After three very happy winters in Enniskillen, we are leaving to make our way south to Riversdale Marina at Ballinamore on the Shannon Erne Waterway. We are here approaching the Ardhowen Theatre mooring for a quick tea break with Gerry and Violet, who have kindly come to wave us good-bye.



Shannon is unsure about all this!
Now we are on our way! It has been very hard to leave all our good friends behind. Everyone we have met in County Fermanagh has been really friendly and we unreservedly recommend it to anyone as a place to visit.


Shannon loves to run up and down the roof of The Puzzler while we are sailing across Upper Lougnh Erne.


Trial Bay lies just off the south end of Upper Lough Erne, and we joined Lasalle there at Derryvore jetty.



On Saturday we walked up to Holy Trinity church, which lies opposite Castle Crom, and is the estate church. This splendid dragon lies over the grave of one of the Crom ancestors.

After leaving Trial Bay, we pass Castle Island, which was built as a folly for the Castle Crom estate. There is a good view of it from the old ruins at Castle Crom.


After a pause at Aghalane, on the Shannon Erne Waterway, Maurice and Janet said their last good-byes and sailed away into the rain.

After a walk, followed by a bath, blow dry and trim, Shannon is exhausted and crashes out in her basket. Her coat always looks lighter in colour after a trim.

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