2 July 2013

SAILED AROUND IRELAND - HOORAH


HOWTH TO ARKLOW - MILFORD HAVEN

ON THE WAY HOME

1st 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.

2nd 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

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