the royal.they reckon boatmen would not spend the night.

Decide for yourself Vossie. They do say though, that the ghost of lock 13 (Grand) has been seen more often at the lock, than the lock keeper has....!! (Could'nt resist, Ray....LOL)

M(W&W)F




Lock 13, Grand



Lock 13, Royal





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 20/01/2012 16:10 by Mick Farrell.

Hi All,

Thought I had gone away didn't you?

Here's a few photos from Kilcock's St. Patrick's Day festival...

The crowds start gathering... we are all keeping a wary eye on the clouds that are also gathering...


The duck race gets fully underway...


Look who's here... the Master of the Blackthorn in his jester's guise...


Fun was had by all and believe it or not, the sleet stayed away until all the festivities were winding down...

I'll have a few more pictures on the blog later on in the week but for now here's yesterday's post...

Cheers,
AJ aka Vossie

[ouchmybackhurts.wordpress.com]

Hi All,

I had one of those special Royal Canal moments today. I was at the 15th Lock for no real reason... senior son was at North Kildare CC for the first outdoor cricket practice of the summer so I ambled over to where Blackthorn is moored. We were leaning on the bridge wall looking out toward the players in the distance when a canoeist appeared on the horizon... well, at the landing below Blackthorn.



We chatted at length... Seamus, as he introduced himself, was on a quest. Some quest! From Pike Bridge on the Royal to Hazelhatch on the Grand... all in aid of raising much needed funds for the Irish Hospice Foundation. (I've whispered something about the G&S... why not?)

Look for Seamus on the mycharity.ie website... click on the link below to go straight there!!

[www.mycharity.ie]

Seamus hauling the canoe and equipment out...



Seamus plans to get down to the Shannon by Wednesday... he is supported along the way by family... there is a rather special story here... I'll go into a bit more detail on the blog in a day or two's time....

Father and daughter... getting the hang of things...



Seamus a little way west of Ferrans Lock... he'll be passing Enfield and many more of my favorite Royal spots tomorrow... and if he has his way, he'll be planning to be almost at the end of the Summit level by tomorrow evening!! Some going! Please support his challenge...



Cheers for now'
AJ aka Vossie



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 25/03/2012 21:39 by AJ Vosse.

Hi All,

I'm wondering... has anyone spotted Seamus on his travels? I hope so!

I've told a bit more about the story behind the quest over on this morning's blog post... do take a look please... do support Seamus along the way... and donate a few pennies, if you can.

Thanking you,
AJ aka Vossie

[ouchmybackhurts.wordpress.com]

Hi All,

The link supplied above to Seamus's my charity page has been changed... please use the following link...

[www.mycharity.ie]

Cheers,
Vossie aka AJ

Hi All,

Long time no chat... probably due to the fact that the Summit Level is potentially a tad under utilised at this point in time... but nonetheless... the intrepid boaters will find an excuse to cruise up and down the Royal if they can! This photo was taken earlier this afternoon... the lads are on the move, merrily trying to get this summer's fundraising for Rehab afloat again.

I have yet to learn a lot more from the lads, but in the meantime I am sure a certain Mr. J.T. can fill us in on a few more details... but for now, the lads are heading back to Confey to wait around for the next lift of Effin Bridge. So just to get your appetites damp... there is proof of boats a moving on the Royal!

Three men and a boat? Nah... four men and a hound and a boat... well, a few canoes thrown in as well...


Cheers for now,
AJ aka Vossie (he of Ouch My Back Hurts)



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 26/04/2012 20:38 by AJ Vosse.

Hi All,

Thanks to Michael for again featuring one of my pics... I must say... my good lady looks well on the bridge! Special sunset pose number 5!

I've uploaded a gallery on over on the blog... the journey from Kilcock onwards...

Cheers,
Vossie aka AJ

[ouchmybackhurts.wordpress.com]

Hi All,

Long time no chat! Life... it cruises by without leaving too many ripples... or does it?

I feel, for the need of posterity... to show Kilcock Harbour in a slightly different light... or, lack there of! At least there is something afloat!



I'm looking forward to this year's 'summer' activity... maybe this thread will help add warmth?

Cheers for now,
Vossie aka AJ

[ouchmybackhurts.wordpress.com]

Hi All,

With summer now rushing headlong at us it's time to get this tread up and running again. That's if you don't mind! There are a few reasons why I'll be bugging all you kind folk this year. I'll mention two for now...

- The news of the proposed walking/ cycling route from Dublin to Galway is now well know. The Royal Canal will play an integral part of the whole project as it will be the route to be followed up to the Shannon

- I'm going to walk the Royal Canal again, this time though, I'll do it sequentially.

With these two thoughts in mind I'll be asking for assistance as I go along. I want to compile a detailed information database. The aim is to promote the canal and all the features along the way. Features including good stopping over spots, good spots to get a watering or a feed... places of interest.

I will of course credit all contributions as I go along. I believe an up to date, one stop, source could be of benefit to everyone interested in the Royal Canal and it's heritage. Speaking of heritage... here's a few photos taken last evening in Maynooth...





Good seeing a harbour as it should be... filled with boats, both working and pleasure!



OK... that's it from me for today. I'm looking forward to the walk and meeting you along the way. I'm also looking forward to receiving your inputs. Let's get the Royal promoted and used to the maximum! We are blessed to be part of this fantastic history... now, lets make it part of our future as well!

Cheers,
AJ aka Vossie

[ouchmybackhurts.wordpress.com]