28^th May

We met a single handed sailor called John Wright yacht 'Anna Marie' from Torquay, who is sailing to Scotland. He mostly anchors his yacht to save having to pay exhorbitant marina fees.

We invited him to have a meal with us last night. It is interesting to meet other sailors travelling.

We had a really nice evening, and he contributed with some lovely cheese from a local cheese shop and fresh pineapple, and wine. We had chicken brests with cheese and wrapped in parma ham. (I was the Master Chef)

We couldn't bother to rush about this morning, as weather report still not good.

Today nothing moved out of the harbour.

Dingle has a lot of visiting coaches with tourists, so it is quite busy. There are quite a lot of Americans who fly into Shannon to visit the Ring of Kerry.

Vanessa and L iz had to visit the tourist office, as we are not sure where we are going to be

for Friday. We could still be here. It was a case of finding out alternative means of travel.

They are flying from Dublin on Saturday. There is a flight from Kerry (Nr Tralee) to Dublin, so that is a possibility.

After the Tourist Office, we all visited Pauldies, The Dingle Bay Hotel, for Irish Coffees. We can also connect to the internet, and look at more weather sites.

We listened to the weather all day, willing it to improve. - with no luck. It is just not improving.

We all went for a small walk up to the top of Dingle. We have seen all of Dingle three times over, its time to move on. We want to go!!!

We purchased some local fish and had a really nice evening of fresh fish. Mmmmm lovely

We played cards before going to bed.

John on the yacht 'Anna Marie', has decided to venture out and round the corner to a bay called

Ventry Bay to anchor for the night. He had to wait for a lull in the weather which was continally gusting 7's. As well as a strong wind, there is a big Atlantic Swell. - Oh Hell!

I doubt whether we will meet up with him, as his sailing plan is to just anchor in small bays. He has a sea kayak that he used as a tender to explore the islands and inlets. This sounds lovely if the weather is nice. Unfortunately it is still very cold.

We have decided to get a bus to Tralee tomorrow, and stop obsessing about the weather/

We just hope it gets better Thursday so we can get through the Blasket Sound, which is very difficult, and can only be navigated at a certain time.

This is the most Western Edge of Europe. No wonder we are having trouble to get round the next headland.

Because we are not sailing, we are doing quite a bit of reading, and have found out that at Dursey Sound (the headland at Bantry Bay) There is a cable car to move cattle and sheep across to the Islands. How bizarre (Only in Ireland)

STILL IN DINGLE

26^th May - Dingle

We had a lovely evening in Dingle, we booked into a local restuarnt called The Boat Yard

and the meal was really lovely. We then went around the town, and found a pub with Irish Music and wi.fi. So I could send the blog, and look up the weather. A really good evening.

We had done all the homework to go to Fenit Marina, which was 61 miles going outside Blasket Sound. We decided to see what the sea state was like when we got there as to whether we went through the sound or not. It was a SW wind which makes a change.

8am was a good time to leave to get the tidal flow correct at Blasket Sound.

We got up in the morning at 6am and listened to the weather at 7am. There was another small craft warning, with Gales coming in this evening. As we were not due to get to Finit Marina until 20.00hrs, this was not good news.

We have decided to stay another day, it maybe two.

We may have to miss Fenit Marina and make for Kilrush later in the week.

27^th May

The weather report was spot on, and at about 6 oclock in the evening the wind started to build.

The fishing fleet all came in and tied up – this is the usual sign of bad weather.

This is the second gale we have had in a week How much more bad weather are we going to get?.

We had put more ropes on and stayed on the yacht for the evening.

Another 2 yachts come in they had an awful journey from Sneem, and were glad to be in. They are from Penzance, are on their way to Scotland..

We had gone to bed, and at about 2 oclock we were all awake with the wind howling and we were a bit worried about the ropes, we were on a reasonably sheltered pontoon, but it was horrible.

After checking everything we all went back to sleep.

Waking the next morning wind had dropped and had turned NW. Again!!!!!!!!!!!

There are more gales forecast.!!!!!!!!!!

CHANGE OF PLAN AND BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

22^nd May

Today is Vanessa's Birthday. We didn't have to get up early this morning, we had planned to go through a tricky sound called Dursey's Sound, this had to be – 4 hrs Dover, which worked out to be at about 5.15. We decided leaving Castletown, at 3 am wasn't a good idea, so decided to go in the afternoon evening. 2 hrs to the Sound, and then 2 hours across the bay to Darrynane.

We had a lovely breakfast of smoked salmon and scambled eggs for breakfast to celebrate Vanessa's birthday.

We were taking it in turns to call into Murphys Bed and Breakfast to get a shower at 4 euros each, but we did get a clean towel.

Vanessa was first and as she arrived back the 6 men on the yacht 'Ar Seachrain' gave her the book

McCarthy's Bar and we all sang Happy Birthday.

The men on the yacht are very interesting, their skipper was Paddy Barry, and

he and at least 2 of his crew had been on an expedition to the Antartic, they had a boat built the same as the Galway Hooker and redid Shakelton's expedition of the North West Passage in 2002. They were all climbers as well as sailors.

Paddy gave us a lot of interesting places to visit on our journey, where there are piers and pontoons.

And giving us places to go into if the weather isn't good enough to make longer journeys.

They all were on there way out for a 6 hr hill walkon Hungry Hill, so we bade farewell. It was a privilage to meet them.

We had a leisurely morning, Carol and I went to meet the Coxwain of the Castletown Lifeboat, He is called Brian O'Driscoll, and is just about to retire. We were able to visit the brand new, and just opened Lifeboat Staion. While there, we were relating our problems with the Plotter, and two of th men went off to see if they could help. They surprised Ness and Liz, who were sunbathing on deck. Hoorah Brendan (Gonnelly) the the Lifeboat Mechanic was able to fix the problem, which is a loose connection. It is still a bit tempremental, but was working.

We had lunch and Carol and Ness went off to do the shopping while Liz and I put the fixes into the chartplotter.

The wind was freshening, and when Carol and Ness returned with the shopping, the 'Ar Searthrain' that we were alongside, was 6 foot off shore with the wind blowing. Liz and I tried our best to get the shopping on board, but it took a lot of heaving on the 'springs' to try and get the supplies on board, and then to get Carol on board. We then had the problem of releasing our springs, and then getting Vanessa on Board so we could leave. We managed it but it took about 20 minutes, very exhausing.

As we then set off, the wind was howling, and we all had reservations as whether we were doing the right thing. The forecast had said variable force 2 to 3 going up to 5 to 6 later in the evening.

Again the wind was in the N/NW not what we want at all.

As we came out of the entrance to Castletown Bere, the wind started to increase, the waves started to come over the front of the yacht, and is wasn't very nice at all. When the wind speed hit 34knts we made a collective decision to turn back towards Bantry Bay.

We decided to find an alternative. We had hoped to go into Lawrence Cove Marina, but didn't think we were going to be able to do that, but now we had the opportunity to go, and as the weather was going to be gale force tomorrow, we decided to made for Lawrence Cove Marina.

What a good decision this had turned out to be. It is stunning, so beautiful and picturesque.

We met up with a small yacht that we had seen in Baltimore called Gull, They are also going around Ireland. The yacht is about 25ft.

We also have electric, water and showers. We are on this Island called Bere Island opposite Castletown, that is up the river a bit. It took nearly 3 hours to get here to end up about 2 miles away from where we were as the crow flys.

We may be here for a few days as the weather seems to be getting worse.

I think we will be happy here and can explore the area.

As it was Vanessa's Birthday, we celebrated with a bottle of bubbly dips and olives. Then had Chicken Curry.

23^rd May

Another beautiful sunny day, but still very chilly. This weather is odd a High over us, but NW Winds and cold. It could be worse it could be raining as well. The weather forecast gives 5/6 gusting 7 today and tomorrow, and a small craft warning. It looks like we may be stuck here for another day.

We cleaned the boat, had a late brunch, and set of for a walk around Bere Island. It is really beautiful. There is a small car ferry that goes between here and Castletown. It is quite small and takes about 4 cars.

The mobile signal is very bad here and I had to walk up a hill to be able to call Brian, to get a more accurate weather report for our area. It said not good tomorrow, but on Saturday going Southerly and light winds – HOORAH

Going past Fastnet Castletown Bere Lifeboat.

We have done the planning for Saturday, and are leaving at Silly Oclock and making for Valencia, we have to go through Dursey Sound, and then round the headland to Valencia 4 hours later, so we will have to make good time to achieve the areas at the correct time. With the tide with us at those points.This trip is like going round Lands End every other day.Crew of the first 2 weeks at Crosshaven.

25^th May

Castletown Bere to Dingle

We set off later in the afternoon yesterday from Lawrence Cove Marina, we had been told that anchoring at a small bay called Dunboy would be good, we went through the otherside of Bere Island, past the wreck, and followed the buoys to Dunboy. The wind was still quite breezy, and it was untenable, so we decided to go back to the Wall at CastletownBere. We snuck in and found a space at the end of the pier. It was very peaceful. We did more shopping, and all went to bed as early as we could after the ropes had been sorted out.

We all got up at 3am and set off to go to Dingle. We were going into Valencia, but decided to see what the weather was like, and make a decision then.

We set off and it was not windy at all, and a smooth sea. We had to motor all the way, as we never had more than 2 knts of wind.

It was 57 miles and we took 10 hours to get to Dingle Marina.

We are hoping that tomorrow, the weather will stay kind and we will try and get to Fenit Marina, in Tralee Bay.

We did a trip around the town, We are doing the homework.

As it is a Saturday and Bank Holiday Weekend, we have booked to go out to Dinner this evening, and find a pub with Irish Music.

Pat Carol, Vanesssa and Liz xxx

CROSSHAVEN TO CASTLETOWN BERE

Liz and Vanessa arrived just before Brian and Ian left.

We walked into the village and had fish and chips. Then early night as we are leaving for Kinsale in the morning

19^th May Crosshaven to Kinsale

We left at midday after filling with fuel, and did the short trip to Kinsale arriving at 5 oclock in the evening.

The Kinsale Yacht Club was being rebuilt, and no marina manage available. We managed to contact one of the RNLI shorecrew, who very kindly loaned us is card to get into the Marina.

The girlswent along to the Lifeboat Station and got the signatures of the Lifeboat Crew, they were just going on a training. They came alongside, and said hello. Which was nice.

We have decided to go to Baltimore tomorrow, after doing the passage planning, we had an early night. The Raymarine Chart Plotter, had decided to go wrong, so we are going to have to use the hand held chart plotter. We are happy with the charts anyway. I also managed to set up the computer with the SeaCharts, and the GPS Mouse, as back up.

20^th May Kinsale to Baltimore

Today left at 7.30am Weather NW 3 to 4, which wasn't ideal, we put up the main and motorsailed.

Some of the time we were able to put up the gib. It was quite a smooth journey, and we had a few dolphins with us for a time.

We had the waypoints on the chart, and proceeded along the coast. We were excited about going into Baltimore, it looked a tricky entrance, but it was easy to pick up the green buoys to lead us in As we arrived the sun came out which was a bonus we actually felt that it was becoming Summerish. It has been really cold, and the wind still has a chill in it. The local Yacht Club only opens July and August , so we won't be able to have a shower here.

We were able to go alongside a pontoon beside the harbour master office.

We met the Coxwain of the Baltimore Liftboat and another life boat crew member.

We went ashore to get a few supplies and cards to send to John Ring and Royal Cork YC as a thank you, and to Robert Acton, form the RNLI At Kinsale to return his card.

We decided to go again tomorrow, while the weather is in our favor, even though its a NW wind.

21^st May Baltimore to Castletownbere Bere Island

We left Baltimore at 8.30 on route to Castletownbere. It was a lovely day and we motored out towards the Fastnet Rock. Sea was calm and blue sky and sunny. We had waypoints to Mizzen Head and beyond. As we got towards Mizzan Head the wind got up to force 5 to 6 gusting 7. Story of this trip. What was worse we were head to wind. It made our progress very slow and very lumpy with sea washing over us. We had a malfunction on the Chartplotter, which decided to stop working. Our Handheld Compass stopped working, we have been using the Computer with the GPS Mouse, and that didn't work. The girls were taking fixes on the headlands. I remembered we did have a second hand held GPS, which luckily did work.We are not doing very well with our electronics wizadrry, thank goodness we have good viz. We had to find the entrance to Castletownbere which was quite tricky, so it was a good job we were able to check where we actually were. We saw a fishing boat coming out which gave us good guidance for the entrance, we picked up a white light, that turned to red when you were on the incorrect course. It is quite stressful coming into the new places until you get to the red and green buoys. The trip took longer that we expected nearly 9 hrs.

The entrance to Castletown is beautiful like the Norwegian Archipelagos, With pinetrees and little coves. We turned into the harbour, it was a very busy Fishing Harbour, we went along side the harbour wall behind the fishing boats. The harbour master said we could stay, we were relieved as it was really windy and and an anchor wouldn't have been very nice. We finally ended up beside a large sailing boat called 'Ar Seachrain' the crew were all men and very friendly and helpful.

We were alongside the wall and able to walk into town. Great.

Went on board 'Ar Seachrain' after having a curry dinner followed by merangue rasberries and cream

We then went to the famous pub in Castletown called McCarthy's there is a book called McCarthy's by and author Pete McCarthy's

We didn't stay long as we have to go down a very long ladder to the yacht. You need to be sober.

We have done the homework for tomorrow, and a good time to be leaving at about 2.30 in the afternoon to go to Darrynene.

After Tomorrow we will be only 2 days behind schedule. The weather may be changing though, so we could falter again on the time - who knows?

22nd May Today is Ness's birthday. so we had smoked salmon and scrambled eggs for breakie.
All went to local B and B and had a shower.
Met up with the lifeboat crew. Done some laundry and shopping.
Soon be on our way to Darrynene.
Sending this from the Lifeboat Station.
L Patx

HERE AT ROYAL CORK YACHT CLUB

18th May
We have finally arrived here in Cork Its taken us 2 weeks. We have done 205 miles.1000 to go It could have been worse we could still be in Milford Haven.
We have a change of crew today. Brian and Ian are on their way home, and Vanessa and Liz will arrived this afternoon.
On our way from We left Kilmore Quay on Tuesday 14th. the fishing fleet had been able to get out at last.  The Plymouth Lifeboat was finally delivered by the Kilmore Lifeboat Crew.
They returned on Monday evening, there was a shout, which was handy, as we were able to get the signatures of the Lifeboat Crew.
We decided to go along to Youghal and stay in the small town harbour.  We had a good trip and just caught the last bit of a strong wind force 6 gusting 7 with hail and rain. Not very nice. Brian was on the helm I was on lookout. Ian and Carol  below doing the navigation. (lucky for them)
We had a nice stay although difficult to get on and off of the yacht as there were no ladders.
It is a nice town, and had a lifeboat.  We were shown around the station, and went to see the crew on exercise, and collected all their signatures.
We left Yougal on 16th May on route to Cork. We had a good trip along to Royal Cork Y.C.
Carol and I went into Cork  on the bus. It is a very nice city. We loved the English Market, and bought  some kippers for breakfast. Spoiling the crew before they leave.

KILMORE QUAY - FOREVER?

Its nice here at Kilmore Quay, but we really would like to get a bit further up the coast.
The weather report isn't very hopeful.  It is really telling when the whole of the fishing fleet are still stuck in the harbour, and the Lifeboat that is going back to Plymouth tried to leave Wednesday Morn, and turned back, and they are still here. One yacht went out, but returned quite soon.
We have travelled by bus to Wexford, been to the local pub a few times. We are off tonight for an evening of Irish Music.
 It doesn't look very hopeful for tomorrow. We could be here for a few more days.

STORM BOUND - KILMORE QUAY

Thursday 9th May

Weather is howling and a blowing - poor Sea Sense is rocking and rolling on the pontoon.  We have had to put out all our ropes to secure the yacht. The wind reached 50knts, and it is getting worse today, and is now raining as well. All the fishing boats are in the harbour, and there is a Lifeboat waiting to be delivered to Plymouth, and isn't moving, although it should have gone yesterday.

Yesterday although blowy, as least it was sunny. Brian and Ian did a job on the boom, which had some wear on it needed some welding. Carol and I went on the bus to Wexford, which was very pleasant. There isn't much in the way of food shops here so we needed some provisions. We also picked up some DVD's from the charity shops, looks like we may be watching a few.

Ian cooked up a wonderful risotto with scallops, mussels, crab and prawns Dessert was my ..homemade fruit cake with cheese, grapes and Port.. We may as well enjoy our food.
We had a game of whist again and Brian and Carol beat Ian and I.  Never mind looks like we may be playing a lot.

Kilmore Quay is a small fishing  village, It has quite a nice pub, and a few restaurants, and a few other shop it looks as if we may be here for a while. We are waiting to see if we have a window at the weekend to be able to progress up the coast.
Time will tell,  but I am not too hopeful at the moment.

ON OUR WAY TODAY

 4th May 2013.

We are leaving Instow about 1.45. Weather W or SW force 5 to 6 Oh well, could be a bit lumpy.  We are only going to Lundy today.

It is an improving picture for a day or two, so fingers crossed we get to Ireland by Monday Evening.

Carol and I have loaded up the boat with so much stuff, 'Sea Sense' must be lower in the water.

My crew for the first two weeks, is Brian and Ian Saunders, a friend of Brian, they play golf together at Saunton.

I am getting excited, as well as apprehensive.  it is hard to imagine the coast of West Ireland, even though I have studied charts and books for hours.  Lets get on with it now.
What a send off we had with the Tamar Lifeboat escorting us all the way out to the Bar Buoy.
The Lifeboat riding the big rollers that were coming over the Bar.
It was quite a rough crossing with a South Westerly Wind Force 5, as we got to Lundy it calmed down and was lovely in Lundy Roads.  We had sun all the way.
5th May
After a cooked breakfast that Carol made, we were on our way at 8.10.am.  We motored to the end of Lundy Island and then with all the sails up sailed all the way to Dale - Milford Haven.  Great sailing in a moderate sea. a bit roly, and I did feel a bit under the weather, as I hadn't taken any sea sick pills, not expecting it. 
We tied up on the Dale pontoon, for the night.   Very Early Night.
6th May
We have heard the weather forcast, and decided that today is the day to cross to Ireland.  We have already changed the schedule, as we decided that as it is going to blow up, we would be better in a Marina. So we set off at 5 am for Kilmore Quay.  Quite a tricky entrance, and we had to make sure the weather was good enought to get in.
What a Wonderful Day we had. Calm Seas, sunshine, Dolphins and a wealth of bird.
We motor sailed, as we no more than 2knots of wind all day.
Arrived at Kilmore Quay 3.30 in the afternoon. Perfect trip.
There are two hugh lifeboats moored up at the Marina, and we managed to get some of the crew names, and are hoping for quite a few more, if we are here for a day or two.
Brian and Ian just gone ashore I think they will be finding out how the guiness tastes.