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 26 March 2013

18th - 25th March. Shannon, Bowls and Bridge competitions.



Shannon has decided to sharpen her teeth on a log. As if they weren't sharp enough already!



She has big ideas here!

These two ducks are discussing the benefits of this pile of logs, that they have found on the roof of the Puzzler, as a suitable nesting site.

Shannon likes to watch what is going on from the front step.

This week the hall at St Macartin's is ready for the annual pairs competition, with all the mats out.


We came second in our game, but Janet and Maurice are studying this crucial head of bowls during their game.



Andy is in action again the next morning.
We set off at 6.30am on Friday, to avoid the wind and rain which was forecast for later in the day. The waves were starting to get up as we passed the Loch Erne Resort, which is just across the loch here. This will be the venue for the G8 Summit Conference in June, so no doubt navigation on this part of Lower Loch Erne will be severely restricted then.


It is nice to have a signpost to the hotel out in the loch, to make sure that we do not miss our destination of the Manor House.


We are at The Manor House Hotel for the annual Fermanagh Bridge Congress.

We are very lucky that the Manor House has its own mooring, so Shannon does not feel too abandonned. We will be leaving her on The Puzzler while we play five three hour sessions of bridge over the three days of the Congress.

This is the second session of the Intermediate pairs competition. Andy can just be seen, chatting to the two ladies on our table in the middle of the room. Our best result was fourth place in the Open pairs on Sunday.

On the way back to Enniskillen, after an early start again, we were lucky enough to see a wedge/ drift/ flight of swans high above us.

Shannon is helping to celebrate our success in winning the St Michael's Bridge Club Cup. Fortunately this cup is just big enough for her to fit into it, but it won't be for long!

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