Arthur's Coastal Cruise 2010 - B - Part 1

Day 1: Tuesday, July 20th, 2010.
"Arthur" departed Portumna and started the trip down Lough Derg bound for Limerick via Killaloe, Parteen Weir, Ardnacrusha and the Abbey River. In late June we had already enjoyed a two-week trip to Limerick, Kilrush, Liscannor, The Cliffs of Moher and The Aran Islands. On this second coastal cruise we hoped to travel south. Last year's abortive effort saw us reach Cahersiveen. This year we hoped to go further south....Bantry Bay was in our sights. However there were other hurdles to be overcome first! In 2008 and 2009 we had been part of a three boat Cruise-in-Company. This time we were going to have to complete two significant passages by ourselves....a first for "Arthur" and her crew who were so used to cruising in company! On this occasion we would have to negotiate Limerick to Kilrush and Kilrush to Dingle on our own. Many questions remained to be answered.
We set out in glorious sunshine and encountered 'Lady Faye' and 'Miss Eva' close to Williamstown. They were returning from the recent Cruising Club event at Scarriff. We stopped for approx. 15 minutes before continuing on our journey.
From 2010-07-20 Arthur's Summer Odyssey - Part 2
We approached Killaloe at circa 17.10 and proceeded to lower the radar arch in preparation for passing through the bridge at Killaloe. Weather still holding up at this point in the passage
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We arrived at Parteen Weir circa 17.45 having previously notified Ger Reid of our ETA.
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Parteen Weir
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Unfortunately there was a problem re opening the barriers at the sluice gate and it was necessary for someone to be despatched to Parteen to fix the problem.
From 2010-07-20 Arthur's Summer Odyssey - Part 2
After a relatively short delay the problem was fixed and we proceeded on our journey to Ardnacrusha.
From 2010-07-20 Arthur's Summer Odyssey - Part 2
Newly installed mooring facility to assist users of keypad for opening/closing sluice gate.
From 2010-07-20 Arthur's Summer Odyssey - Part 2
The water was absolutely calm on the Ardnacrusha Headrace, all the way from Parteen Weir to Ardnacrusha.
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Approaching Cloonlara Bridge we got ready to check out for the Eel Nets...
From 2010-07-20 Arthur's Summer Odyssey - Part 2
And then we noticed....the Eel Nets...there they were....GONE!
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Discarded eel net structures ....
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We leave Cloonlara Bri.dge behind us and continue towards Ardnacrusha
From 2010-07-20 Arthur's Summer Odyssey - Part 2
And the water is still SOOOOO CALM!
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And we were not the only ones travelling on this stretch of waterway!
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We approached Ardnacrusha circa 19.20
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Mary gets ready to grab a riser in the upper chamber...
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On the way down....We had a very smooth descent through the upper chamber in a record time (for us at any rate) of approx. 15 minutes!
From 2010-07-20 Arthur's Summer Odyssey - Part 2
Oops! Where did this come from? It was not here when we last came through Ardnacrusha at the beginning of July!
From 2010-07-20 Arthur's Summer Odyssey - Part 2
"Arthur", safely moored in The Custom House Quay at the rear of the Hunt Museum. And before you ask where are all the photos between Ardnacrusha and Custom House Quay there is a very simple answer...there are none! Why so? Because our descent down the Tailrace and into Limerick under the expert eye of Pat Lysaght was FAST and BUMPY! No option for taking photos. We were glad to arrive in Limerick safe and sound!
From 2010-07-20 Arthur's Summer Odyssey - Part 2
Sarsfield Lock in the distance...just left of the green light.
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"Arthur" safely moored at Custom House Quay.
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Mary relaxing after a long and tiring day.
From 2010-07-20 Arthur's Summer Odyssey - Part 2
From 2010-07-20 Arthur's Summer Odyssey - Part 2
From 2010-07-20 Arthur's Summer Odyssey - Part 2
King John's Castle viewed from Custom House Quay.
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Thomond Bridge and King John's Castle.
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Sarsfield Lock which gives access to the Shannon Estuary.
From 2010-07-20 Arthur's Summer Odyssey - Part 2
Day 4: Friday, July 23rd, 2010.
After spending three nights in Limerick we set off at 09.00 for our first unaccompanied passage to Kirush. Questions were now about to be answered.
From 2010-07-20 Arthur's Summer Odyssey - Part 2
Through the lock...the Shannon Estuary beckons....
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We leave Limerick behind us and head towards Kilrush...
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We leave Limerick behind us and head towards Kilrush...
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The water is very calm...it would be difficult to tell this scene from one on an Inland Waterway...
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Limerick in the background
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Is this green marker for the birds!
From 2010-07-20 Arthur's Summer Odyssey - Part 2
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Seals on a sandbank north of Shannon Airport...
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Shannon Airport in the background....
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Aughinish Alumina in the distance...and we are cruising gently at just over 5kts. At this point our ETA at Kilrush is hovering around 15.00. Weather is ideal. Low winds (indeed at time it was NO winds!) and no rain.
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Approaching Aughinish...
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Our favourite lighhouse...Beeves Rock, just north of Aughinish.
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'Lucky Sunday' at Aughinish with a Pilot Boat from Foynes in attendance. We both agreed that we would not want that big fellow chasing us all the way down to Kilrush....but that is precisely what happened!
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Well, if Lucky Sunday was not enough to be worrying about we then saw a second large vessel coming up from Foynes. 'Nordtrave' was about to swap places with Lucky Sunday and guess where Lucky Sunday was heading?
From 2010-07-20 Arthur's Summer Odyssey - Part 2
We were approximately half-way between Aughinish and Tarbert when we noticed 'Lucky Sunday' hot on our tail. She was coming abreast of Foynes when we first noticed that she was coming our way. Initially we thought that we could out run her and get past Moneypoint before she would reach us. I put boot to the floor and after just 15 mins gave up and made contact with her on VHF and signalled my intention to exit the main channel to allow her to pass unhindered! Mary and I watched in awe as this huge vessel passed by with an absolute minimum of wake.
From 2010-07-20 Arthur's Summer Odyssey - Part 2
'Lucky Sunday' passes "Arthur" at Tarbert.
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And with 'Lucky Sunday' out of the way we only had the Killimer-Tarbert ferries to worry about!!!
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Killimer-Tarbert ferries about to crossover...
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Killimer-Tarbert ferries in mid-channel...
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'Lucky Sunday' leaves "Arthur" in her wake and joins the other tankers and large vessels planning their passage down the Shannon Estuary...
From 2010-07-20 Arthur's Summer Odyssey - Part 2