Great pics Vossie, I really have to admire that lovely straight quaywall on the right of the "skinny" bridge...!!

Fair play again Rachel...!!

M(W&W)F

We pick up the tale on Sunday afternoon at Kilmore Bridge east of the Blackwater Aqueduct.

Evan at the wheel... Ben T spotting...


The bow ornament guides... entering the Blackwater Aqueduct... it's raining pleasantly now...


Passing by Enfield Harbour... the road bridge in the distance...


Two old lady's meet... Rambler passing Snark... west of Cloncurry's...




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/12/2011 21:07 by AJ Vosse.

After hours of rainy showers we see a bit of afternoon sun west of Cloncurry's


Beneath Cloncurry's we go...


The skipper keeps a keen eye on the 'road' ahead... where's that lock? The day's getting long...


Aha... there she is... entering Lock 17 at Ferran's...


And there the tale is paused. The darkness descended... the cold got into our bones... we called it a day. I'm sure the updates will soon follow... so, watch this space. Thanks again to Evan for having us along,a really worthwhile experience!

Cheers for now,
Vossie aka AJ

PS: I'll have a blog post ready by about midweek... until then, stay well!

[ouchmybackhurts.wordpress.com]

Yesterday we set off from lock 23 and headed for the Hill of Down it was very slow in places but water level was good but really only turning dirt and muck until about a mile from the hill of down and rambler got good water and pace was fast at last.
Running low on diesel just made in to the Hill of Down.
Great pub and shop where the owner came out and offered the crew of the rambler Tea, sandwiches and cake to welcome us back to the Hill without the TV crew.
I wonder where else on the Shannon such a welcome to boat owners would happen, A place to stop and moor up the evening.

Next morning early start Joe dragged Ben T out of bed in the 4E at 0830 we pick him up and put him in the back of a van with the dog......... this is boating rambler style!!!!!
Set off at the hill at 0930 and trying to make the Kilcock by tonight.
Moyvalley very slow unreal have to say[ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The section between Moyvalley bridges and the next bridge has to be dredged The rambler was down to one or two knots.
tight squeeze to Pass the Snark the rambler did pass with out touching either Barge.
locked down Double lock at 17 and moored up below bridge with out getting stuck under the bridge with five to six inches which shows how much the levels can change since the last time we had let water off to get under the bridge.
Today was cold and raining at times but boating in December is as enjoyable as the summer.
Evan

Moyvalleys Bridges need a good dredging right enough Evan. 31 was at 0 knots, at full power for 15 mins getting through there. I found the biggest problem here to be the lack of depth on the left (heading West)between the two bridges, to allow the back end swing out to line up for the old bridge. Another pair of bridges with a dog leg between.

How did you get on at Hill of Down...? I found it very very shallow from the start of the housesto the bridge.
There was also a very shallow quarter/half mile around the Old Bog Rd and Cloncurry Bridge to 500 yds west took an hour...!!

M(W&W)F

PS.....I'm hoping WI are reading this one. The Eastern Engineering Sect (East of L17) have been doing us proud, here's hoping the Western Eng. Sect. will be deserving of high praise too....!!

Well Rambler travels on and I must admit to being slightly jealous not to be travelling with them at the week-end. In 2009 a thread called ' cruising in May and September' got a good run, but early December and more to go is amazing. The week-end progress saw them get from Lock 25 near Killucan, down through the staircase of locks to Lock 18 Thomastown, and along the long level to finish at Ferns Lock [ Kilcock ] in two Winter days. A great run without incident and full marks to Evan in taking charge for the week-end. No matter how many helpers are involved, someone has to take control and make the important decisions and in reality, Rambler is a big boat and demands full attention. Well done Evan.
Meeting them at 'Ferns' yesterday evening there was a couple of car-loads of spectators with cameras, awaiting the 'lady'. The boat is still the star ! The interest from people living along the 'Royal corridor' has been huge with word of her progress going ahead of her
Vossie as ever took some lovely shots but Ben did record progress and here are his pics.

'Slightly' short of water on Saturday morning !




Progress down the 'flight'.

Out of the famous 'skinny' lock.

Another 'Stately Lady' travelling east !

Just to prove there was some progress on 4E over the weekend, this first one of the wheel-house 'kit' on the bow as we travelled under Louisa Bridge a few weeks ago.



These two from yesterday afternoon before heading to Kilcock to meet Rambler.

Is that Vossie up on the front of 33E, Joe...?? Was he just there to take a pic or was he "looking her over" again... ??

M(W&W)F

PS.....Did ya get that wheelhouse kit in Ikea...??

You are dead right Mick, but the ideal picture position was foremost in his mind. Of course he dreams of having one of these babies, but you and I certainly havn't helped in putting him off,

Joe.

The trip has concluded with the boat that was " too high, too deep , too long, travelling the Royal Canal , not once in a season , but TWICE !!! The double-decker has travelled the country lane again. From entering the canal at Richmond Harbour it has taken only seven Winter days to reach Leixlip, an achievement in itself and testimony if needed that the Royal is open for business. WI and their staff should be commended for having the system in great condition and re-acting to problem areas quickly and efficiently. The most recent closure for work on the 14th lock was confirmed as complete and open to navigation when Des of WI was phoned this morning. The Louisa bridge works are moving on and there is evidence all along the system of WI's commitment to this navigation.
Well done to the Connons and crew and a fitting conclusion to a season that began in February with the trip to Howth. It is great to be involved with boating in mid December.
Today started with "crew collection" from Confey at 8am and the following pics are from where I joined up with them near Maynooth.

Being led by a swan towards Pike Bridge.



Safely out the far side and heading for Lock 13.



The stone on Deey Bridge at Lock 13.



Approaching the Lock.

Dropping in the last lock for this season.



Out the far side to a shallow patch which was overcome with a little flush.



Heading for the high Matt Goff Bridge.



A common pairing on the Royal.

Looking down from the high parapet of Matt Goff Bridge.



This one from the station car-park at Louisa- two hundred year old canal to electric car charging point !!



Easily under the recently dredged Louisa Bridge.



Just dodging around the spoil which is ready for removal.

Along the watery side of the platform at Confey station.



Out the far side and heading for Confey.



Sliding alongside an old mate.



A Rambler Hug or what ?

Is this the ghost of a stalworth who was there on day one ?



Nicely tucked in for Winter.



The elated final delivery crew.



So thats it folks, the camera needs a rest. From June 9th it has been one hell of a season - 'Is feider linn aris' ! Happy Christmas and New year to you all.

Joe.

Who has stale warts.....LOL

Very well done all....!!!

M(W&W)F

PS...How far from the canal is that charging point at Louisa Joe...?? (just for future reference, dont you know)

Nice one guys.
Thanks for the update, Joe.
"Confey Station"?
When did that happen?
I remember Confey as a very isolated, almost desolate, spot. Certainly not a place that would, or could, warrant a station!
It seemed to take hours to get there on my bicycle and I always tried to play the sympathy card at going home time, to get a lift as far as Blanchardstown, or even Castleknock, before mounting up for the cross city cycle home!
Happy times, despite looming exams!
I even mamaged to recruit some of my teachers into the RCAG, though I don't think any of them ever actually got their hands dirty... Northside dirt, after all!

Duncan

Duncan

Duncan,The Celtic Tiger was probably active in your absence and spawned a few estates. Hence ,the need for a railway station. That's a funny looking socket on the charger for the lectric car. Anyone look at it?

Mick F,If you could plug in your eclectic boat,you'd be well away.

In case anybody hasn't heard it,Terryglass is now connected. It'll make life easier for the overwinterers.
pJn