Behind the curve again

Into Enniskillen on Tuesday. Leaving Lower Loch Erne behind for ...well a good while. 

The moorings in town couldn't have looked more different!

 We were here for LJ to have his hair cut. All his lovely curls gone. Then we started our journey back down Upper Loch Erne to our mooring. Had Alf from First Lady drop by to see if we needed any shopping. What a good chap he is and so interesting.

Back on the mooring. A sandbank has built up a bit so Alistair volunteered to try and shift it.
We did manage to get moored without grounding after he finished. More than we did on Saturday!

Whilst he was at work La Salle came along. Janet and Maurice friends of NB PUZZLER our...is mentor the right word? We were on the look out for each other and nice to chat till rain stopped play!

It was like that all day....sunshine and heavy shower. We are now not bad  at dodging the latter.

Am I boring you?

Sorry but I can't quite move on from the beauty of Innish Davar. We know exactly the right time to visit next year! 

 Then, in perfect conditions it was down to Devenish Island. Several boat trips of tourists visiting the historic remains of the monestary.We felt a bit like a tourist attraction ourselves. More conversations on the go than we've had in weeks!! Our neighbours for the night were English. Hiring a boat for a week. Ex narrowboatees!! Can you believe it! Had two shared ownerships. Now caravaning.

 Into Enniskillen this morning Sunday chicken from O'Docherties. Better even than from Paddy Sweeny on Brecon market! Quick visit from our Killynick hosts Colin, Anne, Holly and Tom then Asda and out we went. It very much San Tropez like on the water today. We were hopeful of a mooring at Ardhowen and plenty of room. WhT a stunning spot for a theatre. And...if you don't mind my saying...an ideal venue for The Marvellous Mr Curtis Stigers!

What did we know?

We thought it was stunning here two weeks ago....what did we know? The entire island is now carpeted by bluebells and cow parsley. And we have a Cuckoo!

Spot the difference!

Up early yesterday to make the two hour crossing across Loch Erne to Tom's Island. We are slowly heading south now and don't except to be up here again this year.

We are only visiting favourite moorings on our way south...at least that is the plan...weather permitting,

Timing was perfect as we had this....

And the wind came up for a few hours in the afternoon.

So...there we were. Admiring the views ..all well with the world. One cruiser with lovely little dog called Jack on next jetty when ....disaster!

Luxury cruiser...for want of more polite name arrived. Ignored all other space and ...well a picture etc etc. Overheard them saying they planned an staying two nights! 

Do NOT know what happened...we didn't even unleash LJ on their two dogs. Though I did pop out and take some pics! Any road up.......after an hour....

And all was well! 

Has it really been a week?

I am not sure where the weeks go. They are  just slipping by. Last weekend saw us sitting out a stormy couple of days in Camargh Bay. Very sheltered and with water and rubbish we were in a good spot....all except for our dog walking requirement. Poor LJ had,to make do with a quiet lane.

We then made the short, very short, hop to Inishmacsaint. Where we shared the jetty with a 'proper'  boat...for all of half an hour. Absolutely ideal spot for LJ. He does love an island to himself.

We were heading for a Friday shop in Belleek. Stop overs on the way at Tully Castle and briefly at Magho. The forecast, which was completely wrong, had us up and ready to move from Tully at 0700. We could hardly see the front of the boat! But once it cleared we had the best day of the year and none of the forecast wind.

Once in Belleek Diesel was topped up via cans at 50p a litre. We made use of the recycling centre, dropped 'stuff' off at the charity shops and hit the supermarket. 

600 residents  taking part in the all Ireland out of the Darkness walk...a suicide awareness raising initiative on Saturday but..the 0415 start ...well..... 

An easy run down to Castle Caldwell for the weekend. Where I spotted a solitary bluebell some weeks ago. Slight difference now!

Currently we are 'enjoying' reading of mini heatwave in other parts of the UK and walking LJ in parka with fur trim down hood. 

Coincidence R US

I may have mentioned the PUZZLER Principle. If not, or if it passed you by, this is our working theory that, if NB PUZZLER, which spent 3 years cruising in Ireland, got in somewhere then QISMA will be able to. Working a treat so far. Locals telling us we won't be able to get to Kesh because we'd never turn...oh..we already have! We didn't know we wouldn't be able to do that...the PUZZLER did.

Spookily....this principle must be becoming ingrained. There are plenty... And I mean plenty...of hairdressers in Enniskillen. I was 't even convinced I'd get my hair cut there. But, saw a salon that I liked the look of. They went out of their way to fit me in on a busy Friday. Then, as we continued to chat... Out came this business card!!

Sally, I hope you get this message, the 'boys' send their love!

Do not repel ALL boarders!

We haven't missed out on the ...unseasonal weather! Wind, hail and snow in quick succession! We were able to shuffle round in Enniskillen to keep legal on the moorings. The Erne Warden's patrol boat is now much in evidence. Don't want our first meeting with them to be awkward!!

And, and, we were boarded! Not by said Wardens but by boating duo  from Dublin thinking of getting a barge and wanting a look round.  Sadly, I was away shopping. Even worse.....hadn't tidied up before I left!!

There are some pretty swish boats cruising these waters. Almost south of Franceish on the main city moorings this weekend.

Luck was with us. Just as we were finished with the resupply, the wind dropped, sun came out and we took the weather window. Great cruise up to our mooring. Not a boat moving but us!

Sailing into the sunset

With the forecast looking particularly grim for the next few days we, reluctantly, decided on an evening cruise into Enniskillen from Inish Davar. It was that or an 0600 start.  We aren't good at early rising but, are firmly

of the view,  that you take the weather you have. Forecasting remains a patch art form!

Just as well, the rain/hail/wind arrived earlier than expected. 0600 was, in one word, filthy. Still is.

I'll be looking for a weather window for LJ's walk .... But think it's going to be a wet one.

Back to Inish Davar. We moored there by accident. We'd intended to moor at Hay Island .. On another evening sailing. We got to Hay to find the pontoon didn't have a walkway to the island. Is our guide out of date or is it temporary? We don't know, but it was turnabout, sail, literally, into the sunset and back to Inish Davar. Lucky, lucky us. We might have missed it this trip.

Unbelievable that we had it all to ourselves.

 Mind you, our previous mooring wasn't too shabby either!  Although dry, we had really strong winds on the wide section of the Loch. We were so sheltered at Tukky Castle. QISMA didn't even move on the mooring.

The pic below is taken just round the corner!

Bimbling

The last few days have definitely been a bimble. Into Enniskilken for a shop and back out again. 

I may have discovered the best butcher in Ireland. Time will tell. 

I did have the best customer service in my life..so far...from Tesco. Short version. Collection order all wrong. Goods not due in until Monday. Manager offered to give me mobile number for me to phone on Monday to say where we moored and he would drive them up!  Not necessary but.... unbelievable!  When I said I'd be back he ordered extra supply to make sure they would be in stock!! 

Did I mention we love it here?

Loch Erne was busy on Saturday. Well, as busy as we've seen it. We probably saw over 20 boats. Mostly in the distance...or passing us!  These three jet skiers were having fun. At the end of the day we still had this mooring to ourselves.

Mooching

Out of Rosscor with the wind behind us. Waves when we got to the loch but nothing to worry about. Moored at Lustymoor Island with the wind easing all the time. I did ask why we didn't leave an hour later but ........

We had intended to stay two nights at Lindy but woke to such perfect conditions that we couldn't resist sailing.

No question that the pictures tell the story.

Saw our first yachtie...though he was on his engine. We had been wondering where they were hiding! A fisherman told me that boats are like flies in the summer months...everywhere buzzing about. We are sort of hoping that  Irish summers are quite short!

Moored at Tom's Island. Which isn't an island. I'll research Tom later but his island, which is part of Castle Archdale Forest moves into our  favourite mooring spot.

I would have called this blog Bimbling but I think with bimbling you are travelling somewhere but mooching is more a meandering about with no purpose. That's exactly what we're at. Bimbling from tomorrow!

.

More of the same!

Days continue to slip by. I can report that, since the last blog, we have shared a mooring. (Not counting Enniskillen). Actually, twice, both nights whilst we were in Beleek. Very swish Hire boats from Aghinver.

Beleek was great for resupply. Everything we wanted on the small High Street a short stroll from the mooring. We were waved off this morning by a local boater whose home overlooked the jetties. A special mention goes to the local coal merchants who delivered to us less than 60 minutes after we placed our order.

Our week also saw us at Castle Caldwell. Amazing walks and hardly anyone there.

Now, well in the middle of nowhere for the weekend. Sunday chicken in the fridge, Internet and TV. Sheltered from the forecasted winds. Over and out.

Sorry...do these pics get boring?

Hiding.....from the weather

We had to reject a mooring this week...shock...horror! No walks for LJ. 10 minutes later we arrived at White Island. We didn't have it entirely to ourselves. There was a visit from the RSPB team whilst we were there.

Alistair, I may have mentioned before, always has one eye on the weather. That is a very good thing in these waters. With the forecast ...well pretty dire...we headed for shelter in Castle Archdale. No hardship. It was home to RAF Flying Boats during WWII. Now a good harbour and small mobile holiday home park. Great walks for LJ. Laundry to get the drying done. 

With a window opening on Saturday we were up, LJ walked and away by 0800. Called in at Kesh to resupply and we were off to the seaside. Who would have thought it? Eventually we will probably stop saying this is even better...but it's not happened yet! 

My morning coffe view this morning

Big Sky Country

We dragged ourselves away from Enniskillen ... knowing we have to come back through on our way back and it is the closest town to our mooring....  made it easier!! So heading north into Lower Loch Erne. Every mooring is different but beautiful. We will be here for a while. Taking things slowly and not pushing against the weather. We saw 9 boats on one day! Imagine!! The count gif yesterday was 4. We know it's going to be different in the summer but what a fantastic start we have had.

Foodie Heaven

Two moorings in Enniskillen for us. Well three if you count the stop at the garden centre to spruce up our pots. First at the Erne Centre for a 'big' shop. Including Dunnes which in my life up to now I have only managed to get to when passing through Northampton. 

Then, with a grim weather forecast we moved to a more sheltered spot. This gave us very easy access to the other side of town with the most excellent Stewart's butchers and a cafe/bakery a few doors down selling the largest...and the best merengues I have ever eaten.

Add to the mix great walks for LJ and fair to say...it's a winner!

Le catch up!

Lack of blogging down to poor signal and not laziness on part of blogger!! Honestly....would I lie to you? 

A few days on our mooring whilst we stocked up and did some admin. Then off again on Thursday. Heading all point North. Very slowly!

With typical holiday weather forecast we settled at Tirraroe on Saturday. This involved an 0650 start while we had no wind to contend with! I did the cruise from the comfort of my bed! Luxury!! Moored by 0800 and sat the weather out.

Comment from a Tweet buddy made me laugh. She asked if we were the only boat in Ireland!  I can report that we are currently sharing a jetty with a very swish cruiser! 

Before we left this morning we had a visitor. A boater who had driven down from a marina further up the Loch to say hello to us. News of an English boat arriving seems to be on the boating grapevine. How nice was that!! Now have lemon drizzle cake if anyone else is thinking of dropping by! 

Le Weekend

A two mooring weekend. The road at Bun Bridge was too busy, by present standards, to walk LJ off lead so we moved on. The fishermen were very well equipped!!

We had two nights at Galloon Island. Saw a couple of cruisers in the distance and a flash new speedboat came by....we think he was going to moor but made a hash of it so did an...nope I was just having a look thing instead!

We on our way back to our mooring. New patient appointments at the Dr. Trip to Enniskillen by road. Thursday, all being well, we will start to head North. A two month outing!!

What view?

And at 0800!  

St Patrick's Day

This most definitely a day when the pictures say it all. 

None of them have been surgically enhanced!

Totally tally for the day is mostly 3's:

3 boats 

3 fishermen 

3 tractors

3 cars

Two of the fisherman were on a mooring pontoon we were heading for. They were going to move but we waved and went back and made do with Geaglum!

Could be a tradition??

On our first cruise!! Yeah!!! A 50 minute hop from the Marina to Derryvore on Upper Loch Erne. Well...we haven't come,here,to rush about!!

With St Patrick's Day tomorrow we aren't sure if we should expect a sudden influx of boats or water skiers or canoes. 

Derryvore has to be the ideal first short hop. We plan on being out until Tuesday. New patient appointments at our local, friendly, helpful Doctors Surgery on Wednesday and Thursday. The good Dr who was so kind to me last week didn't want to use up too much surgery time with two non medical appointments on one day!! 

First mooring out!!

We hav internet but the signal isn't strong...the reason for the new look photo section!! Buy 2 get 10 free.....so to speak!!

Not the ideal start

Not because of anything wrong with boat, River, location, locks but because I have been stricken with odd combination of symptoms. Odd that is until I learnt that at least 58 people who had visited The local Garden Centre in Wales (at the delightfully named Three Cocks) (who would ever buy a house there I ask myself) have been struck down with the Winter Vomiting Bug. Please make that 59! Add it on to vile head cold, which has made me deaf and chest infection and cough. All in all it is not conducive to boating, or anything else. 

I can't drink coffee when I am the least bit off colour. Do you all know what happens when you abandon caffeine? You get three day headache.

But, honestly, I don't feel too sorry for myself!! 

Still..have done a bit of pottering. Unfortunately, the best views were on a detour after dropping,off laundry.. And no phones with us to take pics. We will soon be back. Until then some shots around Killynick. 

QISMA IS ON THERE, 

On new waters!

We are off...on our last big adventure.

When we had QISMA built, we really thought we would take her to France. We have followed blogs and know that boaters have loved it but we just don't think it is for us. So.... We have cashed in our CRT licence and headed West.

Alistair and QISMA were transported with absolute professionalism and ease by Jonathan Kennedy of Dublin. Swanley Bridge told Alistair he was the best haulage driver ever to pick up a boat there. And this after he had made them turn QISMA round so she could go on stern first.

LJ and I followed a day later via Rosslare. Which gave us a morning beach zoomie!

We had thought about this move before. Even did some investication but didn't take it further. Then we watched the dreaded Tim and Pru on catch up, because we knew they were on the Shannon-Erne waterway and....maybe three days later we were just about sorted.

Thanks to NB PUZZLER for their amazing Irish blog and the email encouragement. Please Pass on our best wishes to your neighbours Graham and Jill!

We have a mooring on the North bank of the Woodford River...in Northern Ireland. The border runs a across the river here and the opposite bank is in Ireland.

And so ...as soon as I get rid of this dreadful cough and cold...we will be out and about. 

Sorry to everyone who has asked what our plans were this year. I know I've been evasive. Now you know why! 

We hope to be taking pics like this soon!

Whilst I was away...

I've been doing a bit of running around the country on a last catch up before the Spring cruise. Alistair has had QISMA out of the water and has done a brilliant job. Far too much on his list but so cold I think he needed to keep moving! 

And she is looking brilliant though the words never again have been heard!