WE WILL BE LEAVING ON SATURDAY 4TH MAY

                                             

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

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.

ONLY A WEEK TO GO.

 

My feet are running now. I have spent hours on the computer. And looking at charts and the pilot books etc, to familiarise myself with the trip.  I have written to a lot of the Yacht Clubs, if I think we may be able to visit them.

Jo and I spent an evening trying to sort out a Map of Ireland putting in the stops we are hoping to do,  then we found out the links didn’t work. Luckily Thom our NDYC Secretary was able to put onto the Blog .  He is a genius.

It is on the Blog Now.

 

I have contacted all the harbours and Marinas, to let them know about our Trip raising money for the RNLI. Round Ireland.  We have had some good positive replies.

One from Galway Harbour, letting us knows that they have a regatta, at about the time we may be getting there.

 

It is all good.  I have also spent ages getting the telephone nos. of all the Lifeboat Stations Around Ireland, so I can call them when we are in their Area.

There are 43 Lifeboat Stations around Ireland.  I doubt whether we will call on them all, but we hope to visit quite a few.

 

Tuesday evening we had a photo taken with the Appledore Lifeboat Crew, and hopefully there will be a write up in the local paper, which will be good. Vanessa and Liz met up with the Ilfracombe Lifeboat and had a photo of them with their Lifeboat. Vanessa and Liz row Gigs for the Ilfracombe Gig Club.

 

We have already raised over £1500, so it’s looking hopeful

 

I have made cakes for the trip, and loaded up lots of supplies. We have put on board cloths, sleeping bags etc.

 

Brian Carol and I went for a sail yesterday to shake out the sails. We had a great little sail along the river, just to make sure everything in order.

 

This weekend (Our Last before we set off) we are out 2 days sailing with different

Crew members.  We will be practicing our ‘Man Overboard Drill’ and making sure

Everything works OK.

 

We have our last planning evening Thursday,

Mostly about where the crew are getting off and on.

We have booked flights and hotels, if necessary. It is quite exciting, as we don’t know exactly where we will be at the time.

 

We Pray for good weather that will sail us to Ireland.

Pat x

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAP OF IRELAND AND POSSIBLE STOPS OVER

 

CREW PADDY BEAR - TRAVELLING AROUND IRELAND

We now have the Crew Paddy Bear to take with us around Ireland. We are hoping to get the crew of as many Lifeboat Stations as possible to sign the Paddy Bear Log Book

And, we can use that as the prize in the competition of the collective noun of lady skippers.

We have signed Paddy Bear up to Virgin Money Giving. Sailing Round Ireland 2013 Team for the RNLI.

If anyone wants to think of an appropriate name, they can pay a donation of £1 or more and make a suggestion.

Good luck to everyone.

Only 2 and half weeks to go.

Still lots to do. Mostly little things. I have to get a dongle for my computer, so we can get e mails. Apparently the

Signal in Ireland isn’t too good, so it may be hit and miss.

We had our life jackets checked by the RNLI Team on Friday, and although they are OK. We have to get some

Spare gas cylinders.

I am going to make the usual Large Fruit Cake for the journey.  Usually this lasts quite well for a few weeks.

Maybe I should make 2.

I am attaching picture of Paddy Bear. Isn’t he great?

Pat x

SEA SENSE LAUNCHED

Monday 8th April   Cold and Windy.

The Crane Man Peter said it will be OK to Launch. Brian was at the Boat Park getting things sorted out. I had a urgent message that there was a problem. Classic - there was a leak in the water tank, and Brian was filling up the bilges - whoops. Luckily he realised before too much water was flooded. Poor Brian, he missed his lunch clearing it all up
Carol and I went down at about 4 oclock and did our usual job of taking the dinghy round from the slipway to the wall where the yacht is being launched.  We cling onto the shore while watching the yacht lowered over the harbour wall on the end of the crane job. a horrible moment, and wonderful as she reaches the water and floats gently. Ready for us to get aboard and put her out onto the mooring.  It was blowing old boots and very cold pril.out in the middle of the river, so we just had a poodle about, tested the lifting keel and put her on the mooring, then went in the dinghy back to the slip and home. 

Tuesday 9th April  Cold and Windy

We decided to go out on the yacht on the mooring to check everything including putting a new swivel and shackles on the mooring line. We also were able to test the heads that Brian had serviced - all good. This had  meant going out on high tide at 7 am and staying all day, so that we could get off and sort out mooring. The weather was kind, no rain, and although a bit chilly in the wind, not bad considering. Had nice bacon baps, and lots of tea. Managed to get ashore at 4.30 - 5 oclock. 

We are planning to go on a Shakedown trip on Thursday, if weather good.

ITINERARY OF SALING ROUND IRELAND AT THE MOMENT

      ROUND IRELAND 2013 FUND RAISING FOR RNLI                

 

Date	Depart From	Arrive at	Number of Nights	Miles	Notes                             Chart
3rd May	INSTOW	Milford/Dale	1	60	Appledore Lifeboat
4th May	Milford/Dale	Dunmore East	3	75	Yacht Club & Lifeboat               C56
7th May	Dunmore East	Youghal/Cork	1	40	Yacht Club & Lifeboat
8th May	Youghal	Kinsale	2	30	Yacht Club
10th May	Kinsale       Fuel	Baltimore Harbour	2	35	Yacht Club & Lifeboat
12th May	Baltimore   Fuel/C	Crookhaven	1	15	Yacht Club   & Lifeboat
13th May FRI/SAT Ness & Liz	Crookhaven	Bantry (Bear Island Lawrence Cove) Castle Town Ardrigole  Glengarroff-bus to Killarney  Cork ect.	4	35
17th May	Bantry       Fuel/C Lawrence Marine (Pontoon)	Sneem/Kenmore River	1	37	Lifeboat
20th  May	Sneem	Darrynane	1	12
21st  May	Darrynane	Valencia  Knightstown Harbour Marina? Caherciveen Marina	2	25	Lifeboat
23rd  May	Valencia Fuel Pump	Dingle Harbour (Marina)	2	13	Yacht Club ** poss Crew Change
25th  May	Dingle       Fuel	(Fenit Marina)  or     Kilrush Marina	3	30/64	C55
28th May	Kilrush Marina     Fuel Pump	Inishmore/RossaVeel (Island) Kilronaty Harbour Killeany Bay Galway Harbour Good Transport links	3	55/70	Lifeboat                        SHANNON AIR
31st  May FRI/SAT Sandy & Ian	Inishmore/Rossareel Roundstone Bay	Clifden Harbour  & Boat Club Innisboffin Bally Nickel Bay Westport Harbour Good transport link	2	40	Yacht Club (pick up buoy) &      C54 ** poss Crew Change
2nd  June	Clifden     Fuel P	Black Sod	2	50	Yacht Club & Lifeboat      Ballyglass
4th  June	Black Sod	Broadhaven	2	35	(Sligo)  Lifeboat
6th  June	Broadhaven	Killybegs	3	60
9th  June	Killybegs (Boylagh Bay) 20nm	Burton Port (Harbour Wall)	2	45
11th June	Burton Port	Sheephaven (Aran) Downies Town. Ballyness Harbour Boffin Harbour Inishbofin	1	30
12th  June	Sheephaven (Aran) Fuel Cans	Ballymastoker ( Lough Swilly) Lough Swilly Yacht club	2	15	(Stunning) Marina Fahan  LB       C64
14th June FRI/SAT Penny & Jo	Ballymastoker Fuel/Cans	Port Rush Coleraine Marina (Giants Causeway)	2	43	**poss crew change
16th June	Port Rush	Ballycastle  (Marina)	2	15	Life Boat
17th June	Ballycastle Fuel Can	Port Glenmarn Marina	2	25	Yacht Club
19th  June	Port Glenmarn Marina	Bangor       (Marina)	5	23	Belfast) WEDDING                 C62 Ballyhome yacht club     BELFAST Royal Ulster YC  Life Boat
24th June	Bangor Marina Fuel Pump	Strangford  (Marina)	2	45	*poss crew change  Life Boat
26th June	Strangford	Carlingford  (Marina)	2	40	Yacht Club
28th June FRI/SAT Peter & ?	Carlingford Fuel Pump	Howth  (Marina) (Dublin)	3	45	*poss crew change
1st July	Howth	Wicklow New Marina Greystone	2	28	Yacht Club & Life Boat
3rd July	Wicklow	Arklow  (Marina)	1	15	Lifeboat
4th July	Arklow  Fuel Cans	Wexford	2	40	Lifeboat
6th July	Wexford Fuel Pump	Solva/Milford(70) Lundy(100)	2	55	*poss crew change  Life Boat  Cork/Dublin Airport?
8th July	Solva	Milford Tenby (45)	1	20
9th July	Tenby/Milford Fuel	Ilfracombe	2	45/60	Life Boat
11thJuly	Ilfracombe	Clovelly	2	20	Life Boat
12th July	Clovelly	Instow	HOME	15	Life Boat