Howth South
Moonbeam
David and Lynn Wilkie
Tue 25 May 2010 14:47
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51.48.328N 008.18.200W
Friday
Thick fog at 0600 so did not get up! Cleared later
so we set off for Arklow but outside viz was about 100m and the radar was being
temperamental. We passed a 500' ferry at half a mile and did not see it except
on the AIS so while we do have a AIS transmitter I decided it was back to Howth
where it was bright and sunshine.. Sorted the radar although not quite sure how
so we had a walk and visited the Howth Yacht Club for "Fishy Friday" lunch which
was an excellent and very reasonable Fish Platter. Had a long chat with Pat and
Olivia who recently completed a circumnavigation!
fixing radarSaturday -- Howth
South
Cast off at 0600 to a beautiful morning and very
little wind.There was still mist to seaward but otherwise viz was perfectly
adequate. Frustrating not to be sailing but with plenty of tide we were
galloping south. We were at Arklow by 11.00 and it seemed too early to stop so
we pushed on south and while it meant pushing tide in the p.m the
conditions were otherwise perfect for motoring South!
The sunshine and temperature were as good as can be
expected and it occurred to me that it felt like being on holiday! For the last
7 months people have asked " what's it like to be on holiday/retired?"- to
which I grumpily respond that "I'm not on holiday/retired -just between jobs" !
Today feels like holiday because we have no socks on! Hopefully it will not be
too long before no socks is the routine rather than an indication of
holiday!
The wind farms on this coast are certainly
impressive and I wonder if they cause as much controversy as at home. The
offshore ones seem the ideal solution as they are in nobody's back yard and
create excellent navigation marks on the banks! Round Carnsore Point at 17.30
then dodged lobster pots which sometimes had as much as 40m of line floating on
the surface which apparently keeps the local lifeboat busy. Across St.Patrick's
Bridge (!) and moored in Kilmore Quay at 19.20 . 86.7 miles logged. The
harbourmaster was most friendly and we had a long chat and put the world to
rights. The village is very pleasant but it is apparent that Ireland is
suffering in the general economic down turn.
Kilmore QuaySunday
Awoke to the sun streaming through the hatch.
Today's mission is to use the anchor before we forget what to do! Going
alongside is very convenient but expensive and Irish marina's appear expensive
when you are used to the West Coast of Scotland! We noticed that Dun Laoghaire
is charging 4 euros per metre per night but apparently this is dissuading
visitors! A morning walk on the beach and to pick up Sunday papers and
freshly baked soda bread.
 Morning walk The harbour was busy with sea anglers and
excursion boats taking twitchers to the Saltee Islands just south of Kilmore
Quay. Cast off 11.00 and kept an eye on the echo sounder in the "approach"
channel which would ideally be deeper! Motored (again!) not far to Dunmore
East which is a pretty little town perched on a hillside and where you could not
see the sand on the beaches for Irish bodies (honestly!) but the bay is full of
moorings and the club suggested one and a member came out to greet us and
asked if we were all ok!
 Dunmore East
Harbour
Dunmore East Mooring
A quick drink in the bar which has a superb
location and watched dozens of kids swimming, canoeing, jumping in and generally
having a fun time. A walk in the village of course meant ice-creams and general
bemusemeant at the " continental" atmosphere of the day.The village itself is an
interesting mixture of thatched cottages, town houses and lovely
villas.
 Monday
At 7am the sun was splitting the sky but at 9am we
left with the radar on and mist. The forecast NE wind was actually from the ESE
so we ended up dead running then broad reaching in occasional sunshine past
various headlands, "Moonbeam" was running effortlessly in the light wind and we
were surprised when a youngish housemartin (?) took refuge aboard for a
while.
 Unfortunately it objected to being moved to a safer
place and it took off again after about 30 mins so we hope it made it safely to
dry land.
 The next surprise was when approaching Cork we were
stopped and boarded by the French Customs who were involved in a joint exercise
with the Irish. They were very friendly and the ratio was one pretty Irish girl
to 3 handsome French men so Lynn had the advantage here. They attempted a "
rummage" but were defeated by our stowage technique ( stuff things in lockers
till they are bursting!). They were aboard about one hour and just doing
their job - maybe we will see them again in France! An hour later we tied
up at the Royal Cork's pontoon after a long day a good sail and much
amusement.
berth at Royal Cork 
Tuesday Morning Crosshaven |