1st - 4th April. Spring on the Shannon Erne Waterway

The spring lambs are growing up, in this field alongside the water. We are on the Woodford River here, which is part of the Shannon Erne Waterway.

These retaining posts were sunk into the river bank many years ago, to help combat erosion by the water of the River Woodford. They are not working as well as they used to here, as all the soil between them has been washed away.

Andy is waiting below Ballyconnell lock, while Shannon and I prepare the lock for him.

This is one of the deeper locks on this waterway. Once the gates are shut, water is let in to lift the boat about twelve feet, before we can carry on above the lock.

There is a lovely walk from Ballyconnell, down by the river and through the woods. This canoeist tried in vain to go up the rapids towards the weir.

We were quite late leaving Ballyconnell, so only went as far as this mooring beside Bridge 26. With just room for one boat here, it is always a quiet place to be. We stayed here for two nights, as it never stopped raining on Wednesday.

These cute donkeys watched us pass by. Well, two of them did. The grey one seems to be asleep!

At last we reach Haughton's Shore. This will be our last mooring in Ireland, as The Puzzler is to come out of the water tomorrow.

We have fitted a new flagpole on the roof. The Irish flag is our courtesy flag, with the Dutch Barge Association burgee below it. Our red ensign will fly from the tiller. ( Thanks, Declan!)

Our favourite spot at Haughton's Shore is the jetty on the right, but the water level is too high for this to be comfortable.

We left Haughton's Shore soon after seven on Friday. The reflections on Garadice Lough were as impressive as ever.

On arrival at Riversdale, we tied up to two other barges, until the trailer was ready for us.

28th - 31st March 2014. Leaving Enniskillen for the last time, en route for The Netherlands.

After three very happy winters in Enniskillen, we are leaving to make our way south to Riversdale Marina at Ballinamore on the Shannon Erne Waterway. We are here approaching the Ardhowen Theatre mooring for a quick tea break with Gerry and Violet, who have kindly come to wave us good-bye.

Shannon is unsure about all this!

Now we are on our way! It has been very hard to leave all our good friends behind. Everyone we have met in County Fermanagh has been really friendly and we unreservedly recommend it to anyone as a place to visit.

Shannon loves to run up and down the roof of The Puzzler while we are sailing across Upper Lougnh Erne.

Trial Bay lies just off the south end of Upper Lough Erne, and we joined Lasalle there at Derryvore jetty.

On Saturday we walked up to Holy Trinity church, which lies opposite Castle Crom, and is the estate church. This splendid dragon lies over the grave of one of the Crom ancestors.

After leaving Trial Bay, we pass Castle Island, which was built as a folly for the Castle Crom estate. There is a good view of it from the old ruins at Castle Crom.

After a pause at Aghalane, on the Shannon Erne Waterway, Maurice and Janet said their last good-byes and sailed away into the rain.

After a walk, followed by a bath, blow dry and trim, Shannon is exhausted and crashes out in her basket. Her coat always looks lighter in colour after a trim.

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.