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