Wow! Already 4 weeks since we set off from London to start this journey – its incredible. Off we go to head for the border between Eire and N Ireland – catch you later!
Wow! Already 4 weeks since we set off from London to start this journey – its incredible. Off we go to head for the border between Eire and N Ireland – catch you later!
Well on our way to Carlingford Lough now, its 4pm and it has been a very relaxing day. As we left Howth the sea was the calmest I think I have ever seen, the sea like glass with barely a breath of air – fabulous – if we werent learning to sail! Ah well!
Ireland's Eye
As we continued, the ripples crept into the water as the wind increased to a stupendous 2-4knots – all we needed to get the sails up. Chris and I managed to distract the men whilst we set the sails as they tend to flex their muscles and get stuck in whilst we are left to stand around and look pretty (or at least try!). I ran towards the mast to “sweat” the main up as Chris pulled the halyard. Another strange nautical term – “sweating”! I asked if it was more “perspiring” as I am a girlie, but having completed it I think sweating is definitely the correct term!
We managed a speedy 3-4 knots at our best pace, then to a calm 2knots – no problem as we had loads of time to continue to Carlingford to arrive in time for low water.
A gentle passage lulled most off to sleep
John sleeps
Fred takes the opportunity to rest too!
See how difficult it is to steer the boat!
Pete tries to deplete the fish stocks!
I just take sneaky photos.....
Interesting to look our as we go to spot the local wildlife as you never know when a dolphin or porpoise pop up – the dolphin usually more lively and less shy than the porpoise
Can you see the shy porpoise?
We listened to discussions on the VHF re a pan pan about a missing vessel – should have been in N Ireland from Liverpool this afternoon – a guy in a 26ft yacht that no one had heard from or seen for a couple of days. Interesting to get a lesson from the Irish sailors on their interpretation of “Brevity, Clarity and Discipline” – consider many of them need to attend a VHF course at SWMT taught by Duncs! Lovely listening to their dulcet tones as they wish everyone “good day” and have a little bit of banter on Channel 16!
We were practicising our “pilotage” today – and Carlingford Lough is a good place to practice this as it is a long channel piloted by a series of buoys with a south cardinal at the entrance – with its own impressive lighthouse!
Lighthouse at Carlingford Lough entrance
The first buoy marking the pilotage into Carlingford
Navigators at work
One sailor decided he was going to overtake at the entrance – Fred waved to him then gave us a lecture on etiquette which went like this
“3 questions 1. Whats the name of the stuff all around us you breath in? 2. Whats the name of the stuff which grows on your head? 3. Whats the name of the home of a fox? Put those three words together when you greet fellow sailors on the water…….have you worked it out??? We are going to miss you Fred!
Carlingford Lough forms part of the boundary of Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and is really very pretty. We have anchored for the night right at the top in a lovely cove and it is extremely peaceful. Everyone is asleep now (chorus of snoring in surround sound!) and I’ve taken a walk up on deck to look at the lights around us and tried to work out how I would steer the boat out if I needed to in the dark. There are so many lights around with the whole succession of buoys – its like Christmas with the red and green lights! I saw a white light I couldnt identify – then realised it was a car – what is that not on the chart?
We are heading to the Isle of Man tomorrow and the boys are getting up between 4 and 5 to raise the anchor and steer us out – Chris and I are going to continue our beauty sleep and let the testosterone vent itself without us for once – our time will come so watch out boys!
Goodnight!
