6th
June
Today
we are going to Innishboffin, unfortunately, we are leaving out
Clifden Lifeboat and Clifden Yacht Club. A lot of these places are up
a river which adds at least 2 hours each way on the journey, which is
why we decided to go to Innishboffin, the distance was no different,
and we are in a better position for our next leg hopefully to Black
Sod.
John on
'Anna Marie' had set off at 5 am to go to Roundstone, a pretty
anchorage just before Clifden. We had shopping to do, and had decided
that 12 o’clock would give us time to get to Innishboffin. It is 45
miles, so about 9 hours at force 5knts
The
weather forecast was given as Easterly 2 to 4. The forecast was
wrong. We set off with a light breeze, full of hope, put up the
mainsail hoping to be able to have a decent sail for once.
At
first there was hardly any wind, the sea was smooth, sky blue.
The
wind did start to get up. it was NORTHERLY again. It is very
frustrating, we were slightly off head to wind, but not good. We
motored on at a decent speed, we may as well get there, we had the
tide with us most of the way. The wind eventually was gusting force
5 head to wind. Sail in, and motored on.
Ahead
of us at Slyne Head, we could see a Ketch – It was 'Anna Marie' He
had left really early, had no wind at all, and had decided to go up
to Innishboffin with us. He had been fishing and caught some lovely
pollock, and gave us a couple for out dinner, just out of the sea, it
was lovely.
We
actually arrived at Innishboffin at 7.30 in the evening, which was
excellent going.
The
entrance is a bit worrying, just a few feet off of the rock, but the
leading marks were excellent, and yes we had a green light, hooray.
We were
wondering whether to go alongside the pier, but couldn't see many
ladders. We picked up a buoy, and were very pleased we didn't go to
the pier, as the water dropped, it looked like a really long drop. So
its lowering the dinghy for the second time this trip.
The
anchorage is so pretty, what a lovely place.
We hope
the weather is set fair for the next day or two, so have decided to
stay tomorrow, and explore, and leave Saturday.
7th
June
We had
a day to enjoy Innishboffin What a stunning and spectacular area.
We spent time cleaning the yacht inside and out, then took the dighy
ashore.
We had
a walk around some of the Island, and took advantage of the sunshine,
and had lunch outside at the pub. We realise that we are extremely
lucky to see this area in this weather.
Ian
Sandy and Carol went to the outcrop rock at the end of the harbour,
to explore the ruined castle occupied in the 16th
century by Spanish Pirate Don Bosco in alliance with Grace O'Malley.
This
Island is surrounded by reefs, and has lots of lovely beaches. A
place worth a visit in good weather. It must be very bleak in the bad
weather and winter.
Ian
made dinner this evening a Hairy Bikers lasagna with no pasta, we
made up for that with garlic break though. Very tasty, and enough for
tomorrow.
8th
June
We had
decided that we were going round to Black Sod bay on the Achill
Island today. We set off at 9am. The weather was really hot, and the
sea smooth with hardly any wind, and what there was was on the nose.
(Story of this voyage) We motored along at a rapid 6 knts, and made a
decision to keep going to BroadHaven, another area with a lifeboat
station, and a pier.
We made
fantastic time and arrived at 7 in the evening. 60 miles in 10 hours.
We have
decided to push on as much as we can, as weather won't last for ever,
and even though there isn't much wind it is not difficult travelling,
and we need to made the most of it to make up
our
time lost.
At
ballyglass pier there was a lot of activity, there is a boat in the
area that is checking underwater cables, so the crew were coming and
going.
We were
able to tie alongside a local boat, we met the coxwaine of the local
Lifeboat.
We had
dinner and an early night, we are leaving 7am sharp
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