The Last Ramble of 2011

I’ve been promising to get the last 2011 posts out of the way. Our final Rambler experience for 2011 must surely rank as one of the most memorable Royal Canal boating days. We got the invite a few weeks after our previous trip… meet at Ferrin’s Lock at eight the Sunday morning.

We were there before eight… no chance of us missing out! EC and BT arrived a minute or so after us and within about 30 seconds the activity started. The chill in the air not damping our spirits too much.

EC set the vessel in motion as soon as the engine was up to the correct operating temperature. Lock 16 at Kilcock our next point on the route. Once we arrived at the top of Lock 16 EC felt the need for a quick dash into the village to look for a bit of  breakfast. Junior son was volunteered to escort EC to the best deli in town… so, off they went.

The trip continued as soon as they returned with the necessary fortifications. On to Lock 15, where we were met by Blackthorn’s folk. We continued on to Jackson’s Bridge. We were led into Lock 14 by a swan. This bird stayed with us for most of the trip… often seen out ahead…

JT, the master of 4E met us at Pike Bridge near the Carton Estate..From here he shadowed our progress, smoothing our progress through Lock 13, after that  popping up here and there to get the odd photo.

We were blessed with all sorts of winter weather… rain while we passed Maynooth then some wintery sunshine around the Louisa Bridge area. The cherry on the cake? A bit of a sunset spectacle as we approached the winter mooring at the RCAG headquarters east of Confey.

Altogether a fantastic experience… something I never dreamed of when I first encountered the Rambler some months earlier during the filming of the Waterways programs…

The Rambler in her winter mooring… here she’ll rest after her eventful 2011. Looking forward to following her 2012 action!

Aha… all tied up in the late afternoon…

We pass by 4E at her mooring…

Our swan eventually takes off … maybe to fly all the way back to Jackson’s Bridge?

What a sunset… winter Royal magic…

Our last structure to pass… Cope Bridge at Confey Station…

Our swan eventually catches up with the two Confey residents…

The Christmas Train passes by… many a smiling face on-board…

Rail and canal… big winter sky… cruising bliss

Looking east toward the wide expanse of the Ryewater valley… the Leixlip town-land below

Crossing the Rye Aqueduct… looking west to the Ryewater below… the industrial looking site is the Irish home of the microprocessor giant.

The winter sun returns as we approach the famous Louisa Bridge

Another bridge to cross? No… pass beneath…

JT & BT… lock keepers incorporated. Getting us trough Lock 13 without incident…

Our swan leads the way… picturesque even in the winter

Who’s that fellow taking pictures? JT looks on as we pass by… or, is he looking on?

EC in pensive mood as we head through Maynooth Harbour… could he bewondering which way to go?

The swan takes us into Lock 14 at Jackson’s Bridge.

EC steers Rambler safely past Blackthorn… no meeting by accident required…

Blackthorn as seen through the lock gate… for artistic effect… the splodge on the photo the result of a raindrop on the lens…

Blackthorn’s folk gather to help with the lock gates and a quick chat… before the rain chased them indoors…

Lock 15 in the distance… the ducks get out of the way…

The lads give us a bit of peace… they stroll down to the next lock…

What makes you think we’re doing a bit of winter cruising?

Entering Kilcock harbour beneath Shaw bridge…

JS and friends work the last gate… less chatting lads… more action

Swing that lock gate son… JS puts some effort in…

The graffiti workers have done a good job at attacking the walls in Kilcock… Lock 16 beckons…

View of St Coca’s Church, Kilcock…

Spin Bridge… the onlookers watch as we approach…

EC gets the lady headed in the right direction… toward Kilcock we go…

The motor splutters to life… JT captures the smoke ring while I capture JT capturing… you get my drift…

The crew heads for Rambler… below lock 17 at Ferran’s. EC leads BT and junior son down the steps…

If you should feel to remind yourself of all my Royal Canal fun during 2011 feel free to go over to the Royal Canal pages… I had one fantastic time!