16th - 31st July. On Lough Derg to Mountshannon, Scarriff, Tuamgraney, Mountshannon again and Killaloe.

When I am steering on Lough Derg, Shannon enjoys lying along the handle of the tiller, under my arm. Our friends from Graiguenamanagh left yesterday, but we hope to see them again somewhere on the lough.

Another favourite place for Shannon to travel is on the rope, having rearranged it for her comfort! Andy spent time at Dromaan out in the dinghy, at anchor, reading his book.

Mountshannon harbour was very busy. This has to be our favourite place on Lough Derg and we were there off and on for nearly two weeks. The weather was really hot and we went swimming every day from the boat. One evening the temperature in The Puzzler was 90* at 10pm so Andy went for a swim to cool down!

We found good walking in Wood Park Forest Park, which is just up the Scarriff road from Mountshannon. Shannon enjoyed the cool stream there the best.

The park is near to the harbour and Shannon's dribbling skills are improving.

Shannon Princess came in overnight and towers over all the other boats. She is a hotel boat, based at Athlone, and is a very expensive hotel!

Shannon found some friends on Playtime. They had a lot of fun together, especially playing in the maze in the park!

This sculpture is quite near to the harbour.

A pair of white tailed eagles have been introduced to Lough Derg and are nesting on Bushy Island, which can be seen across from Mountshannon. They have reared two chicks, which are now as big as the adult birds. As we sailed round Bushy Island we could see the adult male, sitting on the rocks. He flew up to a dead tree, which is his main lookout point, as we carried on past him. His wingspan is about 8 feet.

The harbour at Scarriff was very quiet. We went to the library to access the internet and they were extremely helpful there. "Oh, you need a computer each. There is no need for you to share!"

The mooring at Tuamgraney is a short way down the Scarriff river from Scarriff. In the village we were most impressed with the famine memorial garden, which has been built around this oak tree.

On our way back along Lough Derg the sky was threatening, but we returned to Mountshannon without getting wet.

We found the same mooring as last time, on the end of the jetty at Mountshannon. There seemed to be a lot more sailing boats in harbour this time.

Shannon swam at the slipway every day, but dogs were also allowed on the swimming beach after 6pm. Having swum, Shannon would begin her excavations!

By the 29th July it was time to move on, but the weather was inclement, to say the least! We eventually set off after lunch and were glad to have Gus on Lady Anne 111 also out there. He was out on eagle watch, and got some good sightings. We had a quarter sea on the starboard bow so had an extremely rough and wet journey down Lough Derg to Killaloe.

At Killaloe there was plenty of space on the floating jetty. We visited the exhibition about Brian Boru, who was the great High King of Ireland from 941 until 1016 AD. It was really interesting and well worth a visit.

This great earthworks began life as a ring fort and was used by Brian Boru. It can be found a mile or so out of Killaloe on the Scarriff road and is known as Beal Boru.

What a wonderful sunset over the River Shannon at Killaloe!

On leaving Killaloe, Beal Boru can be seen as a wooded hill to our left as we sail up the River Shannon.

20th - 24th August. Scarriff River, then Lough Derg to Killaloe

Once the wind died down, we set off westwards on Lough Derg. As usual here, the clouds are quite spectacular. The west end of Lough Derg becomes Scarriff Bay, and leads to the Scarriff River.

On leaving the lough, it is like entering a different world. Reeds line both sides of the river here, and the water is so still.

Scarriff Harbour has concrete finger moorings, which are not too high for Catkin. Looking back down the harbour here, the Waterways Ireland Offices can be seen at the end. Autumn colours have come early to the horse chestnut tree. 

The harbour is only fifty yards further on to the left from this junction. As boats are not allowed up Scarriff River from this point, we took the dinghy, and were able to go a further half mile. As we rounded the first corner we came upon some fishermen, who had not heard us coming, the electric engine being so quiet. Once we had untangled the fishing line from the propellor shaft, we carried on! Luckily the propellor itself is quite deep in the water.

Reddan's Quay is a small mooring further back on the Scarriff River. Mini Puzzle had been towed behind The Puzzler, but we stopped here to deflate it, ready for our long sail down to the south of Lough Derg. We had planned to stay here overnight, but as the weather was so calm, we carried on. Lough Derg is much more comfortable in calm conditions.

At the bottom end of Lough Derg, there is a new jetty at Killaloe, which only opened in June this year. There are lots of water and electric points right along the jetty.

Killaloe, on the right bank of the Shannon River, is a surprisingly hilly town. St. Flannan's Cathedral is situated near to the river and is an impressive building.It was built in the 13th Century, but with a new tower added in 1800.

We found a good walk up the hill above the moorings.
Killaloe canal can be seen to the right of the Shannon, with the new jetty to its left. Killaloe bridge is beyond the new jetty, with Ballina village on the far bank, underneath the rainbow.

Killaloe canal was originally built to bypass a former weir. When Ardnacrusha Dam was built, it raised the water levels, and the canal lock has been removed, as there is no longer a weir. However the canal is currently not passable, due to this gate, which prevents the full force of the river from causing erosion by flowing down the canal. Catkin is wearing her boots to protect her feet from the rough surfaces which abound on walkways and paths.

The road on the bridge at Killaloe is very narrow, and is controlled by traffic lights, to the annoyance of busy traffic. From the river though, the bridge is very attractive. There is room to moor a few boats above the bridge in Ballina.

We were lucky to see these swans flying down the River Shannon past The Puzzler.