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“THE BIG BOATS ARE COMING”
Week 5 update and photos
Week 4 update and photos
Week 3 update and photos
Week 2 update and photos
Week 1 update and photos
Itinerary for HBA on the Royal Canal 2013
HBA on the Royal, Week 5 – Moyvalley to Maynooth
13 - 14th April 2013
Week 5 already! The time has flown and I am settling into my role as skipper on Paradijs Vogel while Jimmy is away earning money to pay for the diesel.
Many thanks to the multi tasking Joe Tracey who changed a fan belt for me, one of the skills I have not yet acquired.
My crew this week was Bernie Tiernan from Trust me Scout who arrived eager and willing and I thought to myself hopefully she will still be smiling by Sunday.
Cormac Kenny from 76M insisted I move up to join him at the bridge as it was a long held ambition of his to moor outside Fureys on his Barge.
Dinner was 8PM sharp so all the boaters collected in the packed atmospheric bar and a lovely meal was had by all.
Two awards were made first to the Iron Lung for towing 74M into Mullingar but the cup was swiftly passed on to 74M for towing 4E out of the lock at Thomastown.
More celebrations for Cormac and Lorna's 30th wedding anniversary and 19 years since they started boating from Furey's bar where, rumour has it, Cormac finally settled the bill.
A few nightcaps were had later on 76M.
An early departure as Paradijs was blocking the bridge and a slow sluggish run to Enfield. A Challenging manoeuvre through the Blackwater aqueduct, then a water stop at the pretty harbour at Enfield. Very slow progress to Kilcock following the train line and finally arrived at 4PM.
Some of the bigger Barges took 9 hours!
Tired skippers and crew were found gathered later in O'Keeffe's Bar where the Mayor of Kilcock welcomed us, his chain of office was found later adorning some of the ladies! Bernie and I dragged ourselves off to bed after a tremendous rendition of the old triangle ringing in our ears by Andy Fitzsimons. Another good night had by all!
Sunday morning a pleasant trip to Manooth despite gale force winds, some interesting manoeuvres around a small island for some of the barges mooring! All very happy to be tied up again.
Looking forward to the next part of our journey....
LM Paradijs Vogel
Morning at Furey's, Moyvalley
Getting a head-start
76M entering the lower chamber of Lock 16 at Kilcock
You've been framed!
Boats arriving in Kilcock
The fleet in the Kilcock's fine harbour
K M-W looking pensive aboard Elizabeth-Rose
One way traffic between Kilcock and Maynooth
The ever present railway line gets up close and personal
Looking back at Lock 14 and Jackson's Bridge
The fleet assembling at the spacious - and windswept - harbour at Maynooth
The view from the slipway at Maynooth
Photos © JT, CDR |
