After a good nights sleep, I got up ready for another day on the water, in more sunshine - is this really Ireland?!
As I was taking the tent down and packing up, one of the residents for the houses across the railway lines arrived. We had a chat and he was telling me about the history of the area and how there was a song made about this spot and about the time when a famous artist painted from the canal side.
Time was ticking on though and as I had drunk the last of my water last night, I was keen to get going to get some supplies in Enfield. It was a lovely peaceful paddle to town.
As I was approaching Enfield the canal got narrower and the banks steeper and tree lined. I could hear the traffic as I came near the town and was getting a bit concerned that I wouldn't be able to get up to the road from the canal. However, just after going under the road bridge,the most perfect pull in stop appeared on my right. Just directly after the bridge was a small mowed grassy area, with a path and steps up to the road. Perfect. Pulled the board out of the water and went up to the road, across the bridge to the shop at the petrol station on the other side.
Bottle of water, coffee, sandwich and a few snacks and then back to eat my breakfast in the sunny spot where I had left my boat.
On my way after refueling, and passed Enfield harbour, which looked a great place to access the canal and I think there was a toilet block there too.
It was getting hot again and after a few trees there was no shade for a long stretch. Crossed over a small aqueduct and then a bit further on stopped, tied up the board and went into Fureys bar for some refreshments.
Back on the water and a nice long stretch of canal through the country. The canal crosses the Boyne river by another aqueduct. There are some nice old stone bridges the canal goes under and this part of the canal is very quiet, hardly anyone on the towpaths, it goes through the countryside and is beautiful and peaceful!
When I arrived at the Hill of Down I decided this was were I was going to stop for the day. It had a pub, so obvious choice really! Went in and asked if I could pitch my tent in their beer garden. Ordered a nice cold pint and went and sat outside watching the sunset while waiting for my packet of expedition food to 'cook'!
DAY 1 HERE
DAY 2 HERE
DAY 4 HERE
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