3 men in a boat

location: Newferry

participants: 3 - Gareth, Malcolm, John
craft: open canoe (1)
weather: calm

Arrived Newferry 9pm the place was very busy with jetskis and speedboats
launched from slipway, three in one boat.

paddled out into lough Beg heading southeast.  observed ducks, swans, herons, occasional fish jumping, and the smoke-like clouds of flies above the trees around the lough.

water is very shallow away from the navigation channel. 
On return, we landed on the island at the north end of the lough, but it's not easy to explore because it's so damp.

the one where we nearly left the car key.

location: Portna - Movanagher

participants:  4 adults 4 children (4-8 yrs) 2 adult novices, 2 adult some experience 4 children beginners
craft: open canoes (2)
weather: light southerly winds, intermittent sunshine

2 vehicles to put-in downstream of portna lock
vehicle transfer to movanagher.

stopped at unmarked canoe step east of Tully Hill (C928149) to picnic and assess for camping. [close to river - flat, suitable for tents; further in - trees suitable for hammock, but not tents]

paddled on to Movanagher - (C918163) paid lockkeeper and demonstrated lock to novices.

[Movanagher suitable for camping - tap outside house, flat areas for tents, south (west) side of canal suitable for hammocks or tents - plus visible from canal road for remote group assessment]

Participants: 2 adults (some experience) 4 children (novice)
weather: light westerly winds, brief drizzle.

parked at Portglenone marina, launched fom slipway
paddled upriver for just over a mile, brief stop at canoe step at forest.
turned and paddled back to slipway for takeout

location: Portglenone
participants: Community Rescue Antrim & Portglenone
craft: n/a

reminder of water safety protocol theory; practice in the use of throw bags and life rings both in the playing field, and on the river using a volunteer casualty.