WE WILL BE LEAVING ON SATURDAY 4^TH MAY

                                             

Liz & Ness with the Ilfracombe Lifeboat Crew.   Sea Sense returning from Clovelly, on Sunday.

We took Sea Sense out for the day on Saturday, not the best of weathers, but we needed to give Sea Sense a Shakedown Sail.

On board there was Carol, Jo and Liz with myself.  We set off and motored over the bar through the waves. And sailed down to Clovelly with only a bit of Jib.  A Cold wind force 3 to 4   

It wasn’t very calm and when we arrived in Clovelly, we picked up a mooring buoy, with Jo being sent sprawling because it was so rough.  We had breakfast, and as the day wore on at low tide, it became calmer.  The sun was shining and felt quite warm for a short time. That was very nice.

We set off back at about 4.30, had the main and jib up a bit. It wasn’t calm, and we had trouble trying to keep on the course for the Fairway Buoy, and ended up motor sailing and the wind rising to force 6.

We were glad to get back onto our mooring in Instow.

We realise at Clovelly that we had a battery problem; one of batteries had gone really flat very quickly.

Brian and I have been to have it all checked out with local Marine Electronics Engineer John Rice.  It was a good exercise, we realised that the battery that said Engine, is in fact not correct.  The new battery that we purchased last year is the one that is completely flat.  The other one, although OK, we will replace and use as a spare.. So it’s 2 New Batteries (Ouch)

It is a good job this has happened now; we will be fixing new batteries on this evening. I am going out tomorrow for a small sail with Sandy and Peter.

We have loaded lots of gear on board, wet weather gear for most of the crew, as they will be travelling by Air.

We still have more food to purchase and load on probably Thursday or Friday.

We expect to be leaving on Saturday about 13.30 for Milford Haven

The weather forecast is looking hopeful.

NOT ALL GOES ACCORDING TO PLAN

NOT ALL ACCORDING TO PLAN

Best laid plans, don't always work out.

We arrived in Ilfracombe, we were able to moor alongside which is great.

The Ilfracombe Yacht Club, had laid on a welcome back Sea Sense Bar-B-Q.

A big thank you to Bobby and Bert and members for organising this.

They raised £120 for the RNLI, which was great. Some of the Lifeboat crew came along, so Carol could collect Ilfracombe lifeboat signatures.

It was great we had a lovely evening with family and friends.

6^th July

We had decided to get up early and go outside the harbour on the moorings so that we could go down to Clovelly for the afternoon.

At 6 am we prepared to leave, but the engine wouldn't start – Noooooooooooooo!

Having checked batteries, we checked the oil, and found that we had water in the oil.

We hadn't lost any oil pressure, so hadn't realised.

Thank goodness it has happened here in Ilfracombe.

Quick phone calls to Clovelly Harbour Master, and text to Wendy of the Lifeboats. To cancel our arrival. What A Shame.

The upshot is that we are here for a week or two, we have located a local Engineer, Leigh Hanks, who is Lifeboat Engineer and Trainer. We are not sure what the problem is, could be V serious. At least we are close to home.

 

I will post photo of us being moved by the Ilfracombe rib, onto the inner mooring so that Leigh can work on the Engine easier, and I can go home.

Leigh had an trainee Gillian (Crew) so they used the move as a training session. -NOT A RESCUE.

That would have been an embarrassment.

We can't feel too unhappy, we may not be back at Instow, but we are in North Devon, and have made the target of SAILING AROUND IRELAND.

Statistics.

We have done 1138 miles.

We made 26 overnight stops.

Carol and I were on the yacht for the 9 weeks, and we had 8 different crew members who very kindly joined us, by travelling to Ireland and home again.

All expenses were covered by us and the Crew.

ALL Money raised by the 10 Crew members is donated to the RNLI.

We had scheduled 36 stops, but due to the weather delays, had to miss out 10 places.

We haven't totalled money raised yet, but will keep you posted.

I have just heard that I have over £400 on Just Giving and Virgin Money Giving.

Thank You for those donations.

WE HAVE SAILED AROUND IRELAND - NEARLY HOME

NEARLY HOME – WHAT AN ADVENTURE

We are still at Milford Haven Marina, awaiting a good weather window to get us home.

We will go to Dale and then go to Ilfracombe when weather is kind to us.

This seems to be Friday.

It looks as if then the weather is actually going to be summer at last. With an Azores High coming over us for a while. That will be brilliant. It was a shame the weather has been cold on the whole.

We took a month to get at far as Tralee, We then had a month of relatively good weather except for the weekend we were waiting for Jo and Penny to arrive, and the weekend I went home to a Wedding, but the girls were at Belfast, so were able to sightsee.

We have had a few days of unsettled weather, but nearly home now.

Carol and I can't believe it is nearly over. We have had a fantastic time, it has been quite amazing.

It has been a challenge at times with weather, and a couple of problems.

We have had to miss some really good places so that we could make up the time. Which is a shame, but with so many bad days, it was the only way.

We have visited over 20 lifeboat stations. This has been absolutely great. The crews we have met are so lovely, friendly and professional. It makes you proud to be associated with the RNLI.

We have seen what the money raised goes towards, and it is Fantastic.

Most days that we have been travelling on the water, we have heard a 'Shout' for the local lifeboat.

At Kilmore Quay, CrossHaven, and Fenit there was a shout while we were there.

It makes you realise just how important the Service is for people on the water.

We need the Lifeboats.

SAILED AROUND IRELAND - HOORAH

HOWTH TO ARKLOW - MILFORD HAVEN

ON THE WAY HOME

1^st July

We saw Penny off yesterday and Liam arrived late due to a 5 hr delay at Exeter Airport.

We really enjoyed Howth Yacht Club Marina, it was really lovely and the Yacht Club Building was beautiful. It was always busy, with food served all day, great service, and really friendly.

Lots of families sail there, and there was racing everyday or evening, even on the weekdays.

It was however, over 1000 Euros per family, that was just membership.

Howth itself is also very nice, with fabulous fish restaurants, and fresh fish shops. A lovely place to visit. It was so close to Dublin

We had done the homework, and had a choice of Wexlow, or Arklow.

We didn't have to go until the afternoon, due to the tides.

We left at Howth at 3oclock in the afternoon, in company with the lads on 'Skylark'

The trip across Dublin Bay was pretty hairy, with gusts of over 30knts of wind, we had a little sail up. We knew that once we were across the bay it hopefully wouldn't be so bad. There was a small craft warning in place, but we really wanted to move on today.

The journey took about 6 hours to Arklow, where there is a small Marina, and nice pontoon along the river, easy to get into and as we were leaving at silly o’clock in the morning ideal.

2^nd July

We got up at 4am and set off to Milford Haven at 5 am. We needed to arrive at St David's Head (Wales) at low water. We were able to sail most of the way, for once the wind was in the right direction, and the tide was with us, and we were able to keep up out speed. Wonderful!

It was very lumpy, but through the day the sun came out, so at least it was blue sky, which makes a world of difference.

Just off of Arklow are some sand banks, and there were windmills on them, and some still being erected. At least is is an area, no one would sail, so I suppose that is a good use for sandbanks.

It was a very long day, and we arrived at Milford Haven Lock at approx 10.00. We had to wait until 11.40 for the lock gate to open to let us into the Marina. So we had our supper to wait to go in.

What a long day. We were shattered.

We had made this trip today, as there are gale warnings for tomorrow, and we wanted to get across the Irish Sea towards home.

WE HAVE MADE IT RIGHT AROUND IRELAND – HOORAH!

IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY MADE A DONATION TO THE RNLI, PLEASE CAN YOU GO TO Virgin Money Giving – RNLI – Pat Hughes or Paddy Bear. Or Just Giving – RNLI Pat Hughes.

Thank you for that.

CAROL HAYES

IAN SAUNDERS

SANDY PEACE

LIZ LILLYCRAPP

SKIPPER - PAT HUGHES

JO PAY

PENNY GREEN

BRIAN WARREN

Co Owner of Sea Sense

LIAM B

 

 

VANESSA WHIPP

AWAITING CREW AT HOWTH YACHT CLUB MARINE

28^th June

The local restaurants here in Howth, are really lovely. A vast variety, and we visited the Brass Monkey which was excellent.

Today we were able to visit the Howth Lifeboat Station and meet up with some of the crew, this was great.

The Howth Yacht Club is a really busy club, and they collect Burgees from lot of clubs, we were able to add ND Yacht club Burgee to their collection.

We have met the men from yacht SkyLark, who we met originally at Bangor Marina, and again at Ardglass. It is interesting to meet up with other fellow yachts people. They come from the Essex Marina on the River Crouch.

Today Jo went home, which was sad.

Penny goes tomorrow.

29^th June

Today we did washing and cleaning the boat. Penny going home and Liam arriving.

BANGOR MARINA IN BELFAST LOUGH

20^th June

We had a few days here in Bangor Marina, and the train took half and hour to get into the centre of Belfast.

We did some washing and Carol and I went to see the Lifeboat Crew. It was an inshore Lifeboat, but said that it was one of the busiest lifeboats in service, due to so much leisure traffic on the Lough.

We then took the train into Belfast, and had a tour on the bus, which was really interesting.

We visited one of the biggest delicatessen I have ever seen, with so much wonderful food it was overwhelming. It was called Sawers.

The other interesting place was the oldest pub in Belfast, and is one of the only two that the National Trust run, it was called the Crown, and was amazing inside, as it had all the original features, with booths and gas lamps, wonderful tiling and stained glass windows. Well worth a visit.

21^st June

Girls went back to Belfast today to visit the Titanic Centre, and meet up with Penny's husband John.

I went back home.

It was nice that there was time to do the sightseeing, but unfortunately the weather wasn't very nice.

BANGOR TO ARDGLASS

25th June

Today we set of at 7 o’clock to get fuel, and to sail down to Ardglass.

The weather forecast was NW 2/3 occ 4

At last the wind in the direction that we want it to be.

We had to leave early as we needed to get the sweep of the tide past Copeland Island

The Wind was SOUTH WEST – we couldn't believe it. Where was our NW.

nowhere certainly not with us. It is beyond a joke.

Never mind we gently motored with the tide, and was making 9.5 kits. Very swirly

We got to Ardglass Marina at 2.30.

Had a walk round Ardglass, it is very quaint, not very big, but has a lovely golf course.

We were greeted by the quite elderly Harbour Master and his dog. The Marina was very nice with nice showers.

Bangor Marina, will take a lot of beating though, it was immaculate, and very clean, and organised.

We met up with a yacht that was going round Britain with Tom and his Son Stephen. We had met them at Bangor, and they caught up with us again. They came aboard for a drink in the evening.

26^th June

We were going to go to a small harbour on the way to Howth Marina, - Dublin to break up the journey, but looking at the weather forecast, we decided to make a bit of an effort and get to Howth in one go.

We left at 10am, the weather was wonderful, the sea was smooth, and we made really good passage to Howth and arrived at 8 oclock. At the bottom of the tide, and it was the lowest tide ever recorded, It was an unusual entrance, as all the port and starboard marks were on their side, and float when the tide comes in.

We had contacted the harbour office and had been given a berth, but when we go there, it obviously wasn't free. We took the next one, and then realised that there were ropes from a yacht out sailing. So we had to extract ourselves, and find a free berth. What Fun! after a 10 hour trip.

On the trip up the coast, we had seen beautiful Mountains, and Carlingford Lough, what a shame we had to give it a miss. We also saw a few porpoise, and a very large mammal, that we thought was a Whale. It was very large, and could have been a Rosso's Dolphin. They are a loan animal, and have a very slow roll, and can be confused with a Pilot Whale. We hoped it was whale.

Howth is a very nice place, with lots of beautiful sea food restaurants.

27^th June

When we awoke this morning we realised that our decision to come yesterday was a good one. Mainly because it was pouring with rain and windy.

We decided to take the train into Dublin – it is less that half and hour.

So we were tourist in Dublin today on the tour bus in the rain.

This evening we are off out to a local restaurants, with one of the crew from the

that we had met in Castletown Bere. He is one of the lifeboat members, and tomorrow, we will meet up with the coxswain and crew.

CREW PHOTOS