On the lake in Loughrea
We love the lake in Loughrea…
Locha Riach nó Locha Riabhach, arís ag brath ar an duine – variously translated as the grey, dappled or speckled lake. It’s a spring-fed limestone lake, about twice as long as it is wide, and shallow enough in spots – perfect for two new kayakers! There are lots of slipways thanks to the anglers & best of all it’s within sight of J’s house!
My favourite bit is the crannógs, man-made islands dating back to the Iron Age. There are several, scattered around the lake – Barrack, Long, Middle, M’Coo, Blake, Stone, Reeds & Shore (imaginative names there!). One has an anglers’ shelter built on it, along with a floating pier, but most are just small circular clumps of trees & scrub now, but I love the sense of continuing history that they give to the lake.
ar Locha Riach
We use the lake as a training ground – we’ve learned its different moods & the prevailing winds, the sheltered spots & the lumpy bits, & practiced everything we learned from the training sessions with instructors.
It’s a wonderful place for a quick paddle when you’ve only got an hour or so to spare in the day!
As long as you’re having fun, every lake is a good lake! Happy paddles – FP
Thanks FP
I have a paddle along the Solent that I have done 60+ over the last year – about a 6 mile route. I never tire of doing it as I see it as practice and fitness time. There’s always something interesting to see day or night and there’s always strokes/techniques to practice.
As FP says, as long as your on the water its all good
agreed
and I love spotting the changes as the seasons change