2010-08-13 Fenit to Portumna via Kilrush and Limerick
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Besie at Custom House Quay...
The gangway at Custom House Quay that gives quick access to Limerick City. Note that heretofore cards to open the gate have been available from the lock-keepers at Ardnacrusha. It would appear that they are being discouraged from providing this service from now on. However, boaters should be able to acquire a card from Dick Sparling.
08.21...Shane has a quick scan of the morning paper before we depart Limerick..
Can anyone identify this fella?
09.50... We have left the Custom House Quay and with Limerick behind us we are heading for Ardnacrusha....And still no evidence of a turbine in sight!
I wonder if this guy is related to the other one?
10.35...In the lower chamber...and rising!
11.25...Rising to the top!
Leaving Ardnacrusha behind. Weather is now a little overcast. Next stop Killaloe.
Approaching Cloonlara Bridge. No longer do we need to worry about the Eel Nets!
The old eel net supports lying discarded...
12.45...Approaching the guillotine gate at Parteen Weir. We must remember to ring Ardnacrusha lockkeepers after we pass through so that they can come out and close the guillotine gate.
13.44...Besie is panning to overnight in Killaloe and has moored up just south of the bridge. "Arthur" comes alongside for a cup of tea before continuing to Portumna.
Alice takes "Arthur"s stern rope....
Well, well, well....what have we here? Has Noel Griffin spawned a fashion?
Leaving Killaloe we enter Lough Derg and we are back on Inland Waterways for the first time in four weeks...
18.00...and "Arthur" is finally back in her home mooring.
And so Arthur's Coastal Cruising Summer Odyssey 2010 comes to an end. What an eventful four weeks it has been.
We might not have visited new places as originally planned but we have achieved new landmarks for "Arthur" and her crew, The solo run to Kilrush was a first as was the long solo run to Dingle. We prefer to travel in company but it was important for us to make those trips on our own.
We were so lucky with the weather this year as compared with what we experienced in 2009! Not only did we mostly encounter fair winds and following seas but we also enjoyed much sunshine and clear blue skies.
We feel more competent in our ability to identify those weather conditions which will lead to safer and more comfortable coastal cruising for "Arthur" and her crew. And we are more confident in the reliability of the weather forecasting services that we use.
"Arthur", despite her age, never let us down and we felt comfortable and safe onboard at all times. Thanks are due to Eamon and Fergal for the pre-departure service.
And it was nice to meet and make new friends at each port of call...as well as renewing friendships that were established during trips in previous years.
It was especially nice to finally make personal contact with John Kinsella (SV Breakaway) in Kilrush. And it was nice to meet the owner/captain of 'Deanta' in Dingle who gave us the introduction to SpaSeafoods outside Fenit....thank you Noel.
And so now "Arthur" will resume cruising on the inland waterways and we will look forward to returning to the salty stuff next summer.
To all those who have viewed the PhotoGalleries we hope that you have enjoyed same. And to the small band who have left comments on the IWAI Discussion Forum we say 'Thank You' for your encouragement.
"Arthur" out.....and listening!
Paul,
"Arthur"
Thursday, 26th August, 2010