And off we go, leaving Portumna. We overnighted at the base.First of only five locks.Our first lock and who do we meet? Aiden was the person who gave us a very in-depth briefing on the boat. He was on the river rescuing a boat. He called across to Ken to not to do that too. We will find it to be very different from the canals we’ve done in the past.The boat on the right got its rudder caught up in a steel chain, so they are bringing it back to Portumna. Because of the winds and the current, you can’t simply tow the boat. It has to go side by side.Our turn in the lock with a small sailboat and another cruiser. After all the maneuvering the lock-keeper told Ken that he passed the test. Made the old geezer glow with pride.Peter wanted to walk over this long footbridge but there was nowhere to stop.The river is actually very wide, so I find I always have to use a zoom to get larger objects.No speeding, Ken.Coming into Banagher, our stop for the night.No electrical hookup here but bathrooms and showers. We try to use shore facilities when possible. Unfortunately the wall was quite high and it wasn’t easy to get on and off the boat.I named him Sid. He knew a sucker when he saw one and came swimmungcright over.We have seen no geese, but lots of ducks and some swans. England was the opposite, tons of geese and barely any ducksA multi-tasker.Peter brought an army but he didn’t pull them out until we were on the boat.BlueGreen AlgaeEuropean Robin. So cute. The old fortifications. Now changing rooms and toilets for the pool. This outdoor pool is fed by the river. Pretty cold, I think, but ladies were swimming.Peter was worried taking this picture would be disrespectful but I said I thought the little girl would be happy to know someone was thinking of her.
Then off to ShannonBridge…
Don’t leave me, Ken!!!Ken modelling his new Irish toque. It’s actually been quite cold and drizzly at times. The weather here changes constantly throughout the day. I had to run outside and take a picture of this camper van for Ken. Don’t ask why he couldn’t go himself, I have no idea. Old toll house?This dog would drop his ball over the gate so people would throw it for him.Dum dum dum dum (theme from Jaws, as Ken didn’t get the reference). A candle for Mary Ann.He looks in bad shape but the guy in the grocery store next door says he lives in the house next door. So that make five cats we saw in England and 1 cat in Ireland. I have more cats than that living in my house.My little moth wife What fun to have two donkeys in the backyard of the house beside the marina.Yet another ancient bridge with an old Fort, which is now privately owned. Old fortifications to prevent attacks on the bridge by the French during the Napoleonic wars…although Napoleon never actually invaded Ireland. Probably thought it was too cold and drizzly.Trust Peter to find a trail to walk down.They were lying down in the field but when they saw us the cows got up and started walking towards us. I should turn this into a flip book.Musket holes.The small armed army…I got the impression this was a communal grain thrashing rather than the name of a band.Snail cemetery. Peter was going to pick up more snail shells but realized they were all broken. He figures the birds were eating them. Must have been French birds enjoying their escargot.View of the fort from the bridge. There are very few bridges that we’ve gone under, all dating violently 1700s or early 1800s and several have old forts protecting them.Only one outlet for shore power so Peter set up in the dining area. There are 2 USB ports and one outlet hooked up to boat battery but the latter is taken up by the WiFi. Fun trying to keep everything charged up.Off we go the next morning. I’m not posting tons of photos from the cruising part because it’s all the same, flat terrain, wide river, thick reed beds on both sides, no villages, and only the occasional swan or other boat. We stopped at this ancient monastery. Someone’s dog stepped right in the middle.When we left this sign was lying on the ground. The parking guy said the bull uses it for a scratching post and keeps knocking it over. We never did meet the bull. Luckily Ken was not wearing his red jacket. A lot of tour busses here today.The guy very kindly let Peter take some pictures and gave him some treats.Arriving in Athlone, a larger center.Rope crew has to wear life jackets in the lock. I found it ironic that the one person on the boat who didn’t have to wear a life jacket can’t swim! Many memorials to the rebellion of 1916.A hopeful but ultimately disappointed duck.Peter survived the mobbing by pigeons and ducks.
