"An excellent week on a splendid, un-spoilt river. We
saw no more than 4 boats moving during the whole week! The weather was good, dry and
sunny, although very cold the last days.
The navigation was interesting and challenging especially the fast currents and narrow
bridges...Highlights included the sighting of an Otter at Milford weir ( just a few yards
from my position on the bank fishing), being "seen off" by a swan guarding it's
brooding mate on the canal ( which subsequently had produced cygnets on the return trip )
and catching a specimen 2lb. perch near the lock above Bagnalstown.
We enjoyed three course dinners at mid-day in the Royal
Hotel, Carlow and the Duck Press restaurant at the Lock in Athy. We also enjoyed the
friendliness and chat from everyone on the river, where there seems to be an excellent
grapevine and everyone seems to know where you have been and where you are going. Messages
from base were relayed with great efficiency, including the arrival of a fax at 8.00 in
the morning from the lock keeper at Maganey Lock.
The Barrow Otter performed extremely
reliably, was very comfortable and a pleasure to handle. Finally all of us are very
grateful to Karin and Michael for their help and support, including immediate help with
onward bookings for hotels etc... We should love to come again, especially to complete the
journey down river to St. Mullins...Many thanks again from all of us."
Extract taken from our Visitors Log Book
by Frank Wells,
October '97 Day One of Our Journey " Who would have thought that Ireland would
Reveal the most brilliant night sky I've seen in years...As I stepped outside before dawn,
suffering from jet lag, I was met by a shooting star, arcing across an amazing tapestry of
blackness and light, with the milky way bisecting the night sky...Lovely...with the smell
of a smoldering peat fire drifting from the boats chimney the moment was complete.
All this in October when we expected buckets of rain. Tomorrow we start South. Karin and Michael did their best to put us at ease with boat
and lock operation. I guess I had forgotten about all those locks. ( How many are there?
)Somewhere in the back of my mind I saw us steaming off carelessly. To tell you the truth,
the locks ( there are 25 of them ) while a bit intimidating are fascinating in a sort of
churning waters primeval sense. The way the water fills from the upper to the lower lock,
gently lowering us down and seeking it's own level, hints at the power stored in this
waterway.
The boat is cosy and narrow. Kathleen and I signal each
other before navigating the hall ! The heater cycles on and off, seemingly with a mind of
it's own. The Narrow boat seems to have a personality all of its own and is very
cute.
There is something wonderful about being awake, sitting by a little fire, while the rest of the
world sleeps...."
