14th September 2009

Well a slight delay in updating the blog mainly due to poor or no internet connections between Campbeltown and Dublin.
Wednesday the 2nd September saw Fiona and Candi departing from Campbeltown airport to get back for work and School. Peter and I spent Thursday carrying out some minor repairs to the boat, laundry and a visit to the local Library. It was not looking like the weather was going to break until after the weekend so we prepared ourselves to visit some of the local attractions.
I woke at 0500 on Friday to check the forecast and was surprised to find the forecast had decreased during the night from F5-F7 backing F8 to Backing F4-F5. We took the opportunity to go and were underway by 0600 and rounding Sanda Island off the Mull of Kintyre by 0800. The North Channel of the Irish sea can only be described as rough however we had the best and most exciting sail of the journey so far hitting 13.2 knots as we surfed our 15 ton boat down the following waves. We arrived in Bangor some 7 hours after leaving Campbeltown where we stayed overnight and left first thing the next morning after refuelling fully for the first time since Peterhead.
Sailing to Ardglas we started to see a change of wind direction from the North West to the South West which is not what we really wanted. We stayed overnight leaving at 1000 to head for Dublin unfortunately we had strong winds on the nose and we also developed an Alternator and Engine problem so after 2 hours we turned and came back to Ardglas for repairs and to sit out what developed into an pretty nasty day with gust at F9.
After a fuel filter, oil and filter change we set off the next morning toward Dublin. Once again strong winds on the nose meant slow motoring so engine off we sailed towards the Isle of Man before tacking back in towards Carlingford Lough several hours later. Weather forecasts looked grim for the following 2 days so we stayed in Carlingford leaving at lunchtime on Wednesday the 9th September 2009.
What a change in the weather no wind and plenty of sun not good for sailing of course we had to motor from Carlingford to Howth the day was beautiful and to see the Irish sea tamed (mill pond) was some sight. We are currently in Dun Laoghaire about to head south once again either to Wexford or the Isles of Scilly. We arrived here yesterday 13th September after a wonderful stay at Howth and catching up with the Irish Clan.
Thursday we had lunch at Deer Park Golf Course with Brendan, Marie, Jack, Celine, Joe, Breda (Thank You)it was lovely to see you all, what a view.
Friday Peter and I got the train into the city visited the building where Mum worked as a young lady. We walked to Guinness and did the tour courtesy of tickets from Brendan via Jack we bypassed the queue thank you. We then walked over to Cabra and had some lunch with Brendan and Marie before 9 holes of Golf with Jack and Brendan. The Fagan’s showed no mercy on the Bradford’s. We finished the day off at Sharon and Marks that evening with in Sharon’s words just a salad. If that was just a salad I don't know what I have been eating in the past. It was a wonderful meal and we had such a laugh thank you both.
Saturday Brain and Caraiosa and Children visited us and we took the boat to Lamby Island and dropped anchor had a swim and lunch before coming back to Howth and onto Brian’s House for the evening.
Brian and Caraiosa you have 4 truly wonderful boys, thank you for your hospitality (second to none) and also for doing our washing. Peter and I did not stop talking about the stay all the way to Dun Laoghaire. See you soon.

Ireland We Love You.