Aranmore Beckons
We woke early with no small degree of anticipation. The forecast was for force 4 and 5, but this was manageable and as Killybegs slept we slipped away from the pontoon and had the main up as we reached open water. There was only a slight swell and soon we were sailing nicely along in a 3/4. This was the kind of day Mark had hoped for (speed freak that he is!). As we reached Slieve League we were on a reach and making over 5 knote. Perfect! ........But don't speak too soon!....It wasn't long before the wind had freshened and we were over canvased. The wind velocity probably magnified by the downdraft from the mountains. We reefed the main and reduced the jib. Just in case we started the engine as we rounded the point off Rathlin O Byrne and set a course for outside of Aranmore. It proved a pleasant sail and the sun was deceptively strong. As we passed Dawros Bay, probably about five miles out, Neil's son Conor, who was holidaying in Rosbeg, was sure he saw us. As we didn't encounter another sail that day he was probably right.
It's safest to pass Aranmore to the west then swing around and down the east to anchor on Aranmore Road. This we did and as we approached, there was Exodus. The American Boat that had anchored next to us on Inisbofin. We dropped anchor in blistering heat and Mark launched the tender and fitted the outboard. He had not set foot on the island before and was keen to feel it's soft turf under it's feet. Off he sped the little engine humming contentedly....but alas the issues that had dogged it's preformance emerged once more. As Mark approached one of the piers he found it a little too industrial for his liking. The engine having stopped he pulled the cord and while it started again the cord did not recoil! He determined that he would not be rowing back out to Goose, so taking advantage he motored back out, knowing if the outboard stopped he would not be able to restart it!
The skipper sat in the cockpit musing on the delights of his promised Solero. The purring engine as it approached had him salivating in pavlovian anticipation. But without explanation Mark motored straight past Goose and on to Exodus! The dejected skipper heard Mark welcomed onto Exodus with "I was worried about you". It seems 'Hank the Yank' who sailed up from Inisbofin the same day as us had worried that we were too far offshore! We, on the other hand had been worried that Exodus had been too far inshore! Anyway we both survived to tell the tale. When Mark returned to Goose the absence of the skippers Solero was explained and absolution given. After a light supper we were in our bunks early and ready for an early start once more.
It's safest to pass Aranmore to the west then swing around and down the east to anchor on Aranmore Road. This we did and as we approached, there was Exodus. The American Boat that had anchored next to us on Inisbofin. We dropped anchor in blistering heat and Mark launched the tender and fitted the outboard. He had not set foot on the island before and was keen to feel it's soft turf under it's feet. Off he sped the little engine humming contentedly....but alas the issues that had dogged it's preformance emerged once more. As Mark approached one of the piers he found it a little too industrial for his liking. The engine having stopped he pulled the cord and while it started again the cord did not recoil! He determined that he would not be rowing back out to Goose, so taking advantage he motored back out, knowing if the outboard stopped he would not be able to restart it!
The skipper sat in the cockpit musing on the delights of his promised Solero. The purring engine as it approached had him salivating in pavlovian anticipation. But without explanation Mark motored straight past Goose and on to Exodus! The dejected skipper heard Mark welcomed onto Exodus with "I was worried about you". It seems 'Hank the Yank' who sailed up from Inisbofin the same day as us had worried that we were too far offshore! We, on the other hand had been worried that Exodus had been too far inshore! Anyway we both survived to tell the tale. When Mark returned to Goose the absence of the skippers Solero was explained and absolution given. After a light supper we were in our bunks early and ready for an early start once more.
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| Leaving Aranmore |
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