7th - 19th October 2013. Painting The Puzzler and International Pike fishing.

It is now nine years since The Puzzler was first painted, and the port side is in need of renovation. This side faced the sun for four years at our moorings on the River Ouse at Denver Sluice in Norfolk. The yellow line is complete here, after three coats of paint. Having applied the frog tape, it is time to cover the extra yellow which shows on each side of the tape.

We haven't used a roller before, but are very pleased with the finish which can be achieved, by brushing after rollering. The final brush finish means that any scratches later can be touched up less visibly. (Sorry about the sun glare!)

This week it is the International Pike Fishing Competition in Enniskillen with fourteen teams taking part. They have all had two days practice, but the real competition starts today. Here they are heading downstream through Enniskillen towards the Lower Lough Erne, where the stake boat will release them to start fishing. The Italian team eventually won, ahead of Russia and Romania.

We had to mask the jigsaw picture while painting, but the red and green are all finished now.

The moment of truth has arrived! Will this delicate frog tape peel properly? This is looking good!

The tape has peeled very well to leave a nice clear yellow line.

Shannon has a new friend, Padi, and they have exhausted each other. Padi is also a Shih Tzu, and is a week older than Shannon.

The walking on the other side of the River Erne in Cornagrade is good, and there are plenty of fishing jetties to explore. A lot of work has been done at the Portora Boathouse, and it is very smart now.

We have our own clippers now so Shannon is looking quite tidy again.

The water level is still quite low in the River Erne, as we pass Enniskillen Castle. There has been very little rain for a long time.

15th - 17th March. Hurling at Brewster Park. St Patrick's day in Enniskillen.

Shannon specialises in looking cute. She has had her first injection, so will be allowed out in four weeks time. She is looking forward to that!

Mike arrived at the Round "O" with his Flyboard. It is really impressive, working on jets of water which are pumped through from the water turbine on the following jetski. On Saturday he was giving lessons on his machine, and he will take part in the display for St Patricks Day on Sunday.

We went to Brewster Park, the local GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) sports ground, to watch a hurling match between Fermanagh and Donegal. It is a fast and furious game, with no quarter given.

Fermanagh were well ahead in the first half, but Donegal came alive, and dominated the second half, to win quite easily.

On 17th of March steam engine Maeve is coming out of the Enniskillen Castle gates, on her way to join the parade for St. Patrick's Day.

As the third steam engine passes us, there is certainly plenty of steam about!

Meanwhile a helicopter, carrying St Patrick, lands on Castle Island, despite our commentator telling us that he would land on the football field. He suspects foul play!

St. Patrick emerges safely from the helicopter, but is captured by Vikings and taken to the far side of the island. Oh dear! What will happen to him?

The Viking boat appeared downstream of the island, but were turned back by the RNLI boats, in front of Enniskillen Castle, towards the waiting crowds.

There is a great cheer for St Patrick as everyone can see that he is unharmed. He comes ashore to bless all the children, before taking his place later on at the head of the procession.

This is the start of the longest snake in Ireland, being chased by St Paddy!

After a slight delay, while two buses came out of the bus station and briefly joined the procession, the brass band got everyone back into a festival mood.

Tractors are always part of an Irish procession.

There seemed to be fewer floats this year, but this group made a great noise.

We walked up to the Diamond, in the centre of town, where there was a great crowd out to watch the procession.

12th - 21st December. Christmas lights in Enniskillen and Bridge dinners.

Christmas decorations are now up in Enniskillen. This artificial tree looks better at night.

Here we are looking down the High Street in Enniskillen.

These trees are along the river beyond the library.

The most impressive sight is Enniskillen Castle at night, reflected in the River Erne.

In this view from the bridge, Enniskillen Castle is to the left, with a small cottage on the island. The Waterways Ireland building can be seen behind the island.

However at night the cottage becomes much more visible, with a sailing boat on the right of the island.

Bowling continues, with Andy winning first prize at The Forum on Monday.

A week before Christmas, we headed off upstream, passing the Ardhowen Theatre on the way.

We were making for the Killyhevlin Hotel mooring. The Ardhowen Theatre can be seen in the distance, above the stern of The Puzzler.

Reflections today are wonderful.

Looking upstream from the Killyhevlin shows just what a lovely river The Erne is.
We are here for the St Michael's Bridge Club Christmas dinner.

The meal last night was excellent, followed by a good evening of bridge, with prizes for all. Tuesday morning did not dawn bright and clear! The mist was so thick that it was difficult to see anything. However we had to return to Enniskillen, so with all lights on, we slowly cruised back downstream, using the horn at regular intervals, just in case anyone else was silly enough to be on the river in these conditions!

The mist was clear by Wednesday, but there is still a lot of water in the river.

Wednesday night was our second Bridge dinner with the Devenish Bridge Club at Mahon's Hotel in Irvinestown. Another excellent meal, in excellent company.

We mustn't forget the rest of the club.

Everyone was there.

And a good time was had by all.

After the meal it was down to the serious game of bridge, with prizes for all again. We could get used to this!

The Puzzler did not want to be left out, so has some new lights.

10th - 28th November. Ardhowen Theatre and League bowls.

There was a special service at the Enniskillen War Memorial on 8th November this year to commemorate 25 years since the Enniskillen bombing here. The building to the right of the war memorial was built on the site of the bombing, which happened just before the laying of the wreaths on Remembrance Sunday in 1987.

There are 11 doves on the War Memorial, one for each person who died then. It is very moving to see it.

The Puzzler has a new chimney, and we are on our way upstream to the Ardhowen Theatre mooring for the weekend. Last week a man came to ask if the smoke came from our engine. He seemed to be disappointed that we were not a steam boat!

Walking again at Castle Coole, Andy paused for a rest. All the autumn leaves are on the ground now.

Castle Coole itself is as impressive as ever.

Pike fishing is very popular here on the River Erne. This monster fish was brought out of the blue barrel (keep net) for a photo call, but the fisherman would not tell us where he caught it. He was planning to release it in the same spot, ready to be caught again, in his next competition!

Having been back at the Round "O" mooring, we headed upstream again. It is harder each time to get up through Enniskillen Bridge, against the current.

This time we are sailing straight past the Forum, where we play bowls. The Forum is a very active sports centre, with a swimming pool and fitness room, as well as various sports halls inside. Outside there are several pitches, most having an all-weather surface.

At the Ardhowen Theatre again we are joined by Janet and Maurice and all enjoy a fantastic sunset over the river, before going to see Lady Windermere's Fan, by Oscar Wilde. It was a very good performance. 

We stop at the first part of the mooring at Broadmeadow, as this is the best place to chop the rest of our wood for the fire, with a short walkway to the jetty here.

Once again there is a tidy stack of logs in the cratch of The Puzzler.

On Mondays we bowl at the Forum, using three mats, and it can be taken seriously.

However, not everyone does this! Look at this pair.

Tuesdays at the Forum in the Fermanagh Bowls League is very serious though, with 20 teams fighting to avoid relegation. As there are eight bowlers in each team, this means 160 people on the mats. We play for the Royal British Legion, with our club night being on Thursday.

We are sailing downstream past Enniskillen Castle for the last time this year. There is now too much water in the River Erne to come, safely, through Enniskillen Bridge, which can be seen just beyond the castle.