18th - 27th March. Bowling success for Sally! Bowls Clubs in Enniskillen.

Sally met Maud in the ladies singles finals at St Macartin's Bowling Club.

It was a very close game, with a measure to find the winner. Sally won by one shot.

Violet awarded the cups, with Gerry winning the men's singles competition.

These pillars are the remains of the old railway bridge upstream of the Ardhowen. We heard of an old lady who came here, and said it was the first time that she had seen the bridge since it wasn't there!

This is the classic picture of Castle Coole! The grounds here are one of our favourite walks.

Shannon loves to paddle in the water among the reeds near to the Forum

Wednesday morning is our time for bowls at St Macartin's Cathedral Hall. There is always a good turn out here, and a great atmosphere too. This week has been the annual mixed pairs competition, with a record entry this year. We nearly won our first game!
(For those new to blogging, put the cursor on the picture and left click to enlarge it)

A last swim in the River Erne before leaving Enniskillen.

Shannon is saying goodbye to Louie. She is full of admiration for him, but he is much more laid back about it all.

It is sad to leave the Round "O" mooring for the last time. We have been here, on and off, for the last six months.

On our last night at the Royal British Legion we had our annual singles competition. Andy knocked Sally out in the first round, but lost eventually to Roly. This is during the final, where Dennis and Roly are keeping a very close eye on the adjudication of Raymond! Dennis eventually won the shield, again!

Here is the rogues' gallery at the Royal British Legion Bowls Club.
 We have had many happy Thursdays here over the past three winters in Enniskillen.

1st - 17th March. Lower water levels, Sports Relief dog walk , Hurling at Brewster Park and St Patrick's Day.

The water levels have dropped at least two feet in the River Erne, which has marooned this cruiser! At its highest point, the water was flowing over this fishing jetty.

Shannon really enjoyed watching Crufts on television.

Although the level is down, the water is still running fast through Enniskillen bridge. The big work barge tried to go up on his own, but had to return to the Round "O" and call for Big Red to come and give him a tow.

As our contribution to Sports Relief, we took part in a dog walk at Castle Coole. There were about 20 dogs there for the occasion.

We all enjoyed the walk through the woods.

At Brewster Park, Fermanagh were playing against Roscommon in the Hurling League. This is not a game for cissies! Which no. 8 will get the sliotar (ball)?

John McVitty is in action on the touchline, for the Impartial Reporter. He is an award winning photographer.

At half time the youngsters from local clubs have a short game on the pitch. This managed to cheer us up in spite of the terrible half time score! Fermanagh did improve a little in the second half.

In Enniskillen, on St Patrick's Day, the crowds on Broadmeadow waited eagerly by the River Erne for news of St Paddy.

The police launch and the two RNLI ribs set off very fast to rescue St Paddy from the Lough. A quick U-turn had them going in the right direction!

The police launch left St Patrick across the river on Castle Island, when they came back, so this time it was the Vikings to the rescue.

These are real leprechauns waterboarding, we were assured. They were NOT people dressed up!

The grand parade was led by marching children, with the pipe band close behind. There were several different bands, and all played very well. Music in Ireland, North or South, is always good.

There were many floats and lots of tractors in the procession.

Maurice, Andy, Shannon and Janet all enjoyed the parade.

4th January - 17th Feb 2014. Ali Harron at the Round "O", then a visit for Sally to Norfolk and Cheltenham. High water in Enniskillen.

Our camera stopped working at New Year, and spent over a month in camera hospital, but is now back in action. January was taken up with some bridge and lots of bowls. We had a lot of rain, but little snow.

Ali Harron, a local Country and Western star, was taping a music video at the Round "O", and filmed part of it beside and inside The Puzzler. Shannon felt it was time for her to be a film star, so, for a treat, was happy to stand and enjoy the music!

Sally went over to Norfolk in early February. This Broads cruiser is on the River Yare and, when walking along the river bank on the flood bank, seen to the right of the cruiser here, we had to be careful not to be blown over by the wind!

After Norfolk, it was across England to Cheltenham, where the Morris Dancers in town kept us entertained.

Next day I went with Debbie to see the snowdrops at Colesbourne Park. We are told that there are over 200 different species of snowdrop in the park.

Matt came too, but where is Toad?

There were wonderful clumps of cyclamen among the snowdrops.

The lake in the park has been created by damming the river, and creates splendid colours and reflections.

The snowdrops are spread all through the woodland and down to the lake. Each clump of snowdrops is labelled - we saw 55 different species or sub-species of snowdrop. We used to think that snowdrops were either single or double!

Meanwhile in Enniskillen the River Erne keeps on rising! The walk through the park at Broadmeadow normally continues on along the river bank behind Andy.

Further on the path disappears again, as the road curves round behind the Forum.

This jetty beyond the Forum is not currently accessible by land!

At the Round O, Shannon delights in playing with the swans. She has no fear of them, and they do not know what to make of her!

20th Sept - 6th October 2013. Back in Enniskillen.

At last, the second crop of new computer problems seem to be sorted, although we have still lost some emails. Do update us if it might be you!
Andy has completed the new trap door access to the engine, so that the engine filter, which was the cause of our problems last week, can be easily replaced.

Cruisers from the Manor House Marina have been having a weekend in Enniskillen, so it has been quite busy. They are now on their way back down the River Erne.

Shannon thinks nothing of having to wear a lampshade! She should wear it for ten days until her stitches have dissolved.

As in the spring, all boats must move every 48 hours, but this suits us quite well. We move to Riverview, near to the library, on Wednesday for bowls.

Shannon is now much happier about her fancy collar.

The walk, from the Round "O", up through the woods to Portora Castle, is as good as ever. Andy and Shannon are playing follow-my leader along the ruined wall there.

Shannon is glad to have had her lampshade off, but hates being left behind, if one of us goes out, so has to be tied up for safety.

Going back upstream from Enniskillen, the hills to the west are rather misty.

The Ardhowen Theatre is always impressive as we approach.

 Some dogs will do anything for a treat! We are walking in the grounds of Castle Coole. There are very few autumn colours as yet though, due to the warm weather we are having.

We came to the Ardhowen to see the Big Brass Swing Band, with Bob Quick. They are based in Strabane and were very popular, providing excellent entertainment. The standing ovation at the end left the theatre buzzing!

By Saturday evening the mooring was quite full.