Carrick-on-Shannon 7-Jul-09

A boat moored on the harbour wall at the bridge

The approach to Carrick-on-Shannon

Emerald Star base

Holly having a nap on the flybridge

The bridge at Carrick-on-Shannon

We awakened to an increased swell. The wind had changed direction slightly with the result that the waves were hitting the side of the boat making it a bit more rocky – but not uncomfortably so.

After a breakfast of Captain Bob’s home made pan cakes, Captain Bob helped me unfold the bike and I got ready to head for Boyle in search of  fresh bread. The journey was by no means flat. At the Lough Key exit, I went straight across at the junction and found a Mace Express a short way up the road. The journey time was about 20 minutes. Purchases made, I headed back and arrived with sore legs and a purple complexion.

We decided that although the sun was shining, the wind made it uncondusive to water sports so we decided to make a move to Carrick-on-Shannon.

With a great team effort we put down the minicat, inflatable kayak, folded the bike and lifted the dinghy and were ready to go.

The exit from Lough Key was choppy enough but once we got turned into the shelter of the islands it was very pleasant.

We arrived at Clarendon Lock. The lock keeper told us that the grey wagtails in the lock ate made their nest there every year. He also said that although we think overall there are less boats around that through his lock it is on a par with last year.

Out through the lock we headed on past Knockvicar and Cootehill to Carrick-on-Shannon. We found one last space on the finger jetties. Our boating neightbours helped us moor in quite blustery conditions. We had spotted other spaces on the harbour wall if this hadn’t worked out.

We took a little walk through the town seeing what had changed in the last year since we had last visited.

We went out for dinner at Vittos – a family friendly Italian restaurant. We had a lovely meal and were given a voucher for a free bottle of hosue win – maybe we’ll call on the way back.