26th - 31st March. River life on the Erne and a trip to the Atlantic Coast.

The swans at the Round “O” are more active now that spring is in the air.

Big Red went up under Enniskillen Bridge earlier today, pushing an empty work barge and has returned with a large digger on board. Work is continuing everywhere in preparation for the G8 Conference.

This new weedcutter was launched at the Round “O” slipway this morning. After a few turns around the river, pretending to cut non-existent weed, he is coming out of the water again. Presumably everything is in working order!

We measured Shannon for a lifejacket, but she had outgrown it by the time it arrived! This replacement jacket is two sizes bigger, and should fit her for a while.

 

We are staying with Maurice and Janet for Easter. This waterfall on the Roogagh River is just above the village of Garrison.

A typical Irish cottage in County Leitrim.

The cliffs above Glencar are as spectacular as ever.

Across on the other side of Glencar, is the shamrock of deciduous trees, which were planted among the conifers.

At Rosses Point, this bronze sculpture of a girl, called Waiting on Shore, is reaching to those out at sea.

This plaque can be seen on the wall below the statue.

The statue of a boy on the rock in the bay is very lifelike. He is made of metal and has a light alongside him to warn ships of danger. The wrecks of some ships from the Spanish Armada were found near here.

Lord Mountbatten’s House stands high above us as we head for Mullaghmore.

The gates of the house still bear the insignia, M of B, for Mountbatten of Burma. It is quite poignant to see this.

The Atlantic rollers breaking over the rocks at Mullaghmore Head were really spectacular.

The wind was bitterly cold as we walked out along the breakwater outside Mullaghmore Harbour.

14th - 19th October. Bowls break in Westport. Part 1.

Having left The Puzzler at the Round "O", we went to join our bus at the Forum, for a Bowls Break in Westport. Westport is on the West coast of Ireland, in County Mayo, so our route there took us down Glencar to Sligo, then South Westerly from there.

The clouds became quite impressive as we neared the Atlantic coast.

 We were all staying at the Castlecourt Hotel in Westport. All our bowling will be  in the Dome Suite, but there is also a swimming pool here, with sauna and jacuzzi too.

When not bowling or swimming we went out to explore the town. Carrowbeg River flows through Westport and is very picturesque.

We walked to Westport Quay, which is about two miles from the centre of town.The tide was out when we were there.

The lobster nets were piled up on the quay beside the fishing boats.

Across the bay we could see Croagh Patrick, which is 765 metres high. We met two people in the sauna at our hotel, who had just returned from climbing this mountain. They told us that it is quite difficult as the route to the top is over scree.

This crow did not mind our presence.

This hooded crow found a golf ball, and spent several minutes throwing it at stones to try and break it open. Eventually he accepted that it was not an egg!

The Greenway is a walking route along the former railway line, which skirts the south side of Westport.
The Greenway Insect Hotel was rather a contrast to our hotel! It seemed to be quite popular with its residents.

In places the path is cut through the solid rock.

Back at the other end of North Mall, the floral decorations on the bridge are still lovely, despite it being mid-October.

 As our room was at the far end of the hotel, our quickest way to bowls was outside, through the garden, where we often met this friendly cat.

We worked out that the floor area of our room at The Castlecourt Hotel was very similar to the whole floor area of The Puzzler!
Details of the bowls side of our Bowls Break will be seen soon in Part 2!