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.

18th - 28th February 2014. Dog days in Enniskillen!

Shannon loves to run through the mud on the way to her perch on the wall of Portora Castle.

On the way back down the track, there is now much less water, so she likes to run through the wet grass on the bank.

Back at The Puzzler, she has a bath, which she does not like at all. However, this is followed by a blow dry, which is much more to her liking.

After a good grooming, she is ready for a trim. I had better say here that this is the only time she is allowed on the table!

Trim complete! Well, except for the odd hairs which I missed!

Shannon plays with the swans whenever we pass them. However, most of them tend to ignore her now, as being beneath their contempt.

On 22nd February this shows the high level of water in the River Erne at the Portora Boathouse. The rowers have had to wade through the water to their launching jetty. Those shoes must be wet!

By the end of February, spring seems to be upon us. It is months since Shannon could enjoy the freedom of the roof of The Puzzler.

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!

22nd December 2013 - 3rd January 2014

Shannon had great fun on Christmas day and soon got the hang of opening presents.

We have had no snow in Enniskillen at all, and the weather at Christmas was kind to us. Here Andy and Shannon are by the slipway at the Round "O".

The leaning tree at the Round "O" is leaning even further. The water level here normally only reaches to the clump of reeds, so is considerably higher than normal. There are fewer ducks to feed this year, but the family of five cygnets are very popular.

There has been a lot of rain to keep the river level high. When we were beside this fishing jetty last year, collecting wood, I had to lean right down from our bows to reach it. Now this small cruiser is nearly floating out on to the grass!

At New Year, we were in Cashelnadrae again, with Janet and Maurice. We had a great time.

On the beach at Rossnowlagh, the cliffs are quite impressive. It was a glorious sunny day on January 2nd.

This beach is over a mile long, on the Atlantic Ocean. We did not walk the full length of it this time!

Shannon liked to lie beside the Christmas tree, while we were playing games at the table.

One day, however, she went through to the living room and found the fire ready to light, with interesting paper and sticks. Having removed some from the fire and sorted them out, she settled on a cushion. Well, it was more comfortable than her own basket!

Next day we went to walk round the Rosheen. The weather could definitely be described as "bracing".