On Wednesday morning we planned to make the trip down to Portumna, which lies at the top of Lough Derg. There were two obstacles along the way. The first was Victoria Lock, a large lock which bypasses a weir and rapids. The second was a swing bridge just before we reached the lake.
Being cautious, we filled our water tank before heading out. Our goal was to make the 12:30 bridge opening. We left around 10:15, and didn't know how long the trip would take. We made good time, as we were going with the current. The water level was high, and some of the fields on the side were flooded.
On the way down from Banagher to Portumna.
Payton loves when the boat breaks the waves.
We reached Victoria Lock by 11:20. As we approached, we could see that it was closed, and going down. We just missed it! Above the lock was a long jetty, and we tied up at the far end - leaving plenty of space behind us for others. While we waited, a couple of hire boats came in behind us. The first boat hovered around in the channel. After about 10 minutes, the seemed to make up their minds to come to the jetty. They came in, and I went out to assist with a line. They approached almost head on, and when they threw me the bow line, it was tied to the far side of the boat. That meant that if I pulled them in, it would turn their boat to face the wrong way. I got them to wrap the line around the bollard on the near side, and eventually we got them tied up. It was their first time on a boat. Most years we understand that the majority of boaters on the Shannon are from Germany. This year, because of the pandemic, many Irish have opted to try boating -- often for the first time ever.
When the lock opened and the boats coming up had exited, we pulled slow in. Being a large lock, there was room for boats on both sides. The lock keeper came out and wrapped our lines around bollards. When all three boats present were in and secure, he closed the gates and down we went. While we waited, we watched a man doing his training on the jetty below the lock.
We continued to make good time, but realized that we would miss the bridge opening by about 10 minutes. So, we decided to head into the small public marina just upstream from the bridge. We motored in, and the boat with the novice boaters followed us in. It was very tight, and we ended up just tying up to another boat. There really wasn't any more room. Those following us had a hard time turning around and getting out.
We had about two hours to wait for the next opening. We had a bit of lunch and coffee. Sarah took Andrea for a nap, and I got underway. I am always anxious to get going early, and we had ten minutes to spare. So we motored upriver a short distance and then came back down. Right at the scheduled time, there was a siren, and shortly after the bridge started to swing open. We followed another boat through, and were soon out on the lake. Now we had to pay attention to markers, or risk running aground.
Just to the West lay Castle Harbour. We were worried that it might be full, and as we approached, we could see two boats tied up in the entrance. Did that mean everything was full? With the binoculars, we could see that there were several spots available. We squeezed between the boats blocking the entrance, and eased into a berth. Sadly the shore power was not working, so our plan to use our dehumidifier during the rain wasn't looking good.
We took a stroll into town and had a look around. We found Portumna to be charming, but quiet due to the pandemic. Back at the harbour, things began to fill up. Soon, the spaces left between boats were also being filled by new arrivals. We got a new neighbor. It was all very snug.
Watching ducks at the entrance to Portumna Harbour
The next day
In the afternoon David and Lisa came by to drop off a package I had had sent to his house. We all went to the cafe at the local castle and had coffee and a bite to eat. Sarah went off for a walk in the forest preserve with the dogs. Andrea and I joined joined David and Lisa in a grocery trip.
We also moved the boat when a space came available. As we were moving, a man on another boat called out and asked why we were moving. He was stuck in a middle spot, and we were taking the space he was hoping for. I felt bad, so went and helped him move to our old spot. He was a pensioner who had bought the boat (his first) the day before. More novices!
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