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.


Tuesday, 17 July 2012

April to July 2012. Update on our route on the Waterway Maps of Ireland.


In 2012 we left Enniskillen in April and went to the south through Upper Lough Erne.Turning westwards, we then crossed over to the Shannon on the Shannon-Erne Waterway. At Leitrim it was a detour to the north to visit Lough Allen. We missed this desolate, but attactive, lough last year as the weather was never suitable when we were passing. Next it was on to Lough Key, with a visit to Boyle again, before continuing on down The River Shannon.
Our original plan this year was to go on to The Royal Canal at Richmond Harbour, and do a there and back trip along the Royal, but not go into Dublin. However there was currently a water shortage on the summit level of the Royal Canal, so it was closed to navigation. Because of this we headed on southwards, through Lough Ree, with a trip up the River Inny and on past Athlone. At Shannon Harbour we joined the Grand Canal to go eastwards towards Dublin, planning to turn back at lock 12, and then go to see the River Barrow, before returning along the Grand Canal to the Shannon. We managed to go down the River Barrow for about a third of its length before having to turn back, due to too much water in the river. The plan now is to complete the Grand Canal to Dublin, then return to the Shannon on the Royal Canal.

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