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