Lough Erne - Crom Estate, Weekend Trip

[GoatieBoater]

Last weekend we had glorious weather from Friday through to Sunday, which amazingly coincided with our canoe club's annual weekend canoe camping trip to Lough Erne. Usually the trip is completed in wind, rain and cloud (but is still memorable), this year it was heat and the potential for sunburn that kept us company all weekend - I think I know which I prefer.

Friday Night and Mrs GoatieBoater and myself stop for an ice lolly at the service station at the end of the M1 (Northern Ireland's M1, not the big long one in England....) as we had been stuck in traffic for at least half an hour (a long time in NI) due to an accident. Here we bumped into Wilson who had exactly the same idea, so we then travelled in convoy to Crom (good for me as I couldn't remember the way).

We set up camp at the estate, marvelled at the fantastic weather and greeted the rest of the group as they arrived over the evening. Our party consisted of myself and Mrs GoatieBoater, Wilson, Big Al and his son Johnny, Dougdew99 and Mary, the other Mary and Laurence (who arrived late on having been "playing" on his motorbike.

Early Saturday morning, BigAl and myself got up to get on the water whilst the rest were asleep. Carrying the boats down to the jetty, this is what greeted us:


Sunshine, no wind and water like a mirror. So we took immeadiate advantage - Big Al, paddling with his reflection:


After returning to the campsite for breakfast, we all got on the water to paddle for the day. The Boat loading for the day was Big Al and Johnny, Dougdew99 and Mary, Laurence and Mary and myself, Wilson and Mrs GoatieBoater. We paddled down past Crom castle and got out to look at the ruins and the Yew trees.

Crichton Tower from the castle (Dougdew99 and Mary just off to the left of the island):

And then paddled on past the Crom Estate to have lunch on Dernish Island.

Johnny and Big Al:


Dougdew99 and Mary:


And the back of Wilson and Mrs GoatieBoater with the others in the distance:


No pictures of Mary and Laurence due to Laurence's insistence on wearing just his speedos and so appearing to be completely naked in a boat! I thought I would spare you that one (he can be seen in the distance in the picture above....)

We then paddled round Inish Rath (the Hare Krishna island) and headed back to Crom for ice cream. On the way we encountered various people in kayaks taking part in the 70 wild mile race involving cycling, running and kayaking. the kayaking ranged from very serious marathon paddlers to the poor guy in a corsica who could not paddle in a straight line and ended up capsizing and being taken off by the safety boat.

A very mellow evening with a barbecue, red wine for some and some tall stories ensued before retiring to our tents.

Next morning Dougdew99 and myself were up early to catch the best part of the day:



Eventually joined by Big Al:


Then after breakfast we decided on a gentle paddle to Trinity Church before returning for a late lunch. This became a particularly gentle paddle when Dougdew99 got out the sail, Big Al and Johnny grabbed hold, Mrs GoatieBoater and yours truly grabbed hold of them and Wilson and Mary grabbed us (Laurence having returned home on Saturday night). We then managed to sail in convoy all the way across to the church - absolute bliss!

"Forgive me father for I have sinned.
"That's OK my son, take out 4 canoes and 2 Marys and you'll be fine":


A relaxing walk around the church grounds and a snack under a tree and we headed back to Crom for lunch.

The group, at Trinity Church:


After lunch we launched again and attempted to play frisbee from the boats. All this really proved was that we were all pretty awful at throwing the frisbee from the boats (try it, it's not easy) and that Johnny's boat control (paddling solo at this stage) and enthusiasm put us all to shame - what you get from starting paddling when you are only 8!

We then packed up and all went our seperate ways. Overall a fantastic weekend, very relaxing and certainly one of the most mellow weekends canoeing I have ever spent. Thanks to everyone involved for making it special.

GoatieBoater

[KeithD]

Overall a fantastic weekend

A fantastic blogg too. Thanks

[MagiKelly]

Sounds perfect. I wish I could have been there. Dougdew99 and Mary seem to be popping up in bloggs in a verity of countries now. I have expect to see them sailing with Pierre next

[Cakie174]

Excellent report and pictures. It is some of the nicest scenary in the country and no where better on a fine day.

I like the new jetties.

Has anyone paddled much south of crom and through Foliies cut?

Cakie

[dougdew99]

[Big Al.]

It really was the best weather I've ever had down on Lough Erne, and the company was great.

Goatieboater and I were determined to get out at the earliest opportunity on Saturday morning.
Here he is doing a "Pitch Inspection", in hindsight, we probably didn't need our "Wellies"


It really was a special time of day.


Then it was back for breakfast with all the others.



A shot of Mr & Mrs Goatieboater with Wilson in the middle.


Saturday's trip went through narrow channels between the reed beds.


On Sunday before setting off to "Church" Goatieboater and Jonny wait for the others to get on the water,


On our way back from the church, Goatieboater demonstrates the "Hokey Kokie"


Thanks to everyone who came with us, it really was a super weekend.

And before Bikemec pulls me up for not wearing my PFD, it really was too hot

[BlueCanoe]

Brilliant blogs. Looks like a special place.

Jim

[Dougie]

Thoroughly enjoyed the bloggs. It looked like the perfect weekend, weatherwise and location.
Dougie