Reached Enniskillen while it was still light but mistakenly chose the wrong road which took us along the western side of the lower lough. Coincidently we took this road on our honeymoon (from the Killyhevlin) and at what must have been the exact same spot we were stopped again at a police check - 30 years on.
Even at this time the views along the lough-shore were spectacular. Not many islands on this side so the views were across to Boa and the likes. P was eager to get the canoe out at these jetties; even the river through Beleek looked inviting. Eventually we wound our way round to Clonelly after passing in and out of the Republic several times.
Saturday was a tourist day.
Starting at Clonelly we motored into Enniskillen looking for a rope for the canoe and maps of the loughs. The town was seriously busy; though we did enjoy the handmade posters for election candidate Stevenson as we sat stuck in traffic. We decided to head out of town and hopefully pick-up something by the Lough. Made it as far as Lisnaskea where we paused for refreshments.
Spent a lot of time checking out various jetties and slipways but nothing quite seemed to work. Eventually we found our way to Derryvoy jetty but there were too many cruisers tied up to the dock. Continued to the supposed part-time ferry to Crom; here the road just petered out becoming the grounds for Crom Church. This was to be our first launch point.
Moved the van down the path and assembled the canoe; carried it down to the slipway. Water too shallow so P climbed in dry and I waded in to push the boat out. Spent what seemed like ages pottering about from island to island and just sitting watching the herons & swans; but it was probably only 30 minutes before we came in. Despite this we were so exhilarated; the canoe was so stable and easy to control. We both managed to exit without getting ourselves wet.
By now it was getting quite late and light was fading so we headed for the Florencecourt site.
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