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Caption: Battle of the Bann! Lough to Atlantic.
60km canoe trail along the length of the Lower Bann River in Northern Ireland.
My May Microadventure with Alex, Andrew and my Dad in two Canadian Canoes, with Mum and Lola in the support vehicle.
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Caption: A nail biting start. All boats and gear delivered safely to Toome.
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Caption: Nervous bravado at the start!
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Caption: Day One
Toome to Kilrea
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Caption: First Pitstop Newferry East, some 7km into the trip.
Alex and I cannoned of every bank, gathering twigs and insects in my hair & ears. The open water of Lough Beg was a relief from the ricochet. Andrew's GPS showed a good pace, with the wind at our backs and the sun on our faces. Time for drinks, caramel squares, a selfie and sun cream!
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Caption: Rivers know this; there is no hurry. We will get there someday. A.A. Milne
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Caption: Lunch stop at Portglenone - 13km into the trip.
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Caption: Always look on the bright cider life!
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Caption: Locked out in Portglenone Having made use of the private marina and hiked miles from the river just to get back to the riverside, we had a lovely lunch in the Wild Duck, busy with First Communion takers. A little less sunny than when we went in, we managed to get back to the boats; not before seeing this vehicle in the car park. It made us giggle.
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Caption: The first and last lock of the day - Portna 22kms into the trip.
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Caption: An end to Day 1 -23kms We hauled the boats out a 1km later & walked up to mum & dad's, just as the rain started. After showers & steaks we did a merry dance around the do-we-don't-we question; do we take the tents to the river to camp in the rain or sleep in the beds we had left that morning. This was not an endurance test! Once the decision was made to stay we relaxed into being together.
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Caption: Day Two
Portneal to Camus
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Caption: Razor Ruddock We worked out that Alex was better upfront and I at the back. I looked at the back of his life vest for almost 3 days and all I could think of was "Razor Ruddock". This is Movanagher Lock where we took accommodation advice as we would be at our planned stop at lunchtime. Signed up for another day's paddle, this would be one of the last times Dad would see that hat.
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Caption: The Aftermath Dad went in the drink at Carnroe Lock, only 6kms into Day 2. Friends who were joining us provided shelter and coffee. A change of clothes and some sloe gin all round for nerves, we were back in the boats en masse paddling towards lunch. Disrupting a fishing competition for a pee, food stop and leg stretch, we battled the head wind to catch up with the others for lunch.
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Caption: BBQ at the end of Day 2 at The Cams - 18kms done. Confession time before mum took dad home for a well earned bath!
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Caption: Lola kept pinchingthe firewood!
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Caption: Camp pitched. Sleeping mats forgotten. Fire lit. Sloe gin finished. Night falling slowly this far north. Peaceful watch over the calm river.
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Caption: Camus Camping Camus is a multipurpose open space both day & night that any town planner would be proud of! The frequency of cars to the car park sparked a Google search. After that it was comical rather than sinister but I didn't have want the fire to die. My new fleece sleeping bag liner kept me warm while the sweep of headlights lit up the tent until the very wee small hours! An interesting night.
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Caption: Day Three
Camus to Castlerock
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Caption: Facebook communication between the tents gave the all clear to emerge into the mizzle for first breakfast.
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Caption: The kettle emptied of Bann water for fresh coffee. Followed by the delivery of dad and a second breakfast!
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Caption: 3km into Day 3 & I admired this guy taking off from the other side of the river. Fending him off & trying to get into The Cutts lock without him was not entertaining! He patrolled while no one rushed to close the gates!
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Caption: Did we break him?
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Caption: After meeting mum and Lola at The Crannagh for a lunch, a guy ran out as we were pushing off. He wanted our photo for their Facebook page. Fame at last! Just look at the face full of head wind and a tummy full of cake!
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Caption: Done! A successful beaching at Ballywoolen. What blessed relief! Those aren't hand and knee marks in the mud - honest!
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Caption: Molly couldn't make it in person but her avatar was with us all the way!
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Caption: An O2 blackout meant that we abandoned the canoes with the borrowed gear. An anxious wait to know they were picked up safely.
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Caption: Molly's cycling gloves and a Compeed prevented the palm blister from getting any worse.
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Caption: Can't say the same about the Welly rash!
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Caption: May's Microadventure The End