Three Men in a Boat

An early start with us slipping our mooring at 6a.m. in fine spirit and singing our hearts out, joyous to be at sea once more.  The joy was short lived...as passing through the sound we struck bottom.  We had been advised locally that there was sufficient water...what was charted at 10ft was less that 6ft and the consequence chastened us considerably.  About turn and a more laborious long way round saw us on our way.  The American boat that had been moored alongside us had promised to depart for Frenchport, but there was no sign of life.  We were alone on the Atlantic and the mood was lifting again.  Soon we were singing again as we moved up the west coast.b Our destination Broadhaven and our jump off for crossing the huge Donegal bay the next day.  On arrival we anchored next to the lifeboat.  A local fishermen offered us a lift to the local shop...but as it was a 20k round trip and all we wanted were Soleros we thought it best not to accept....

The remainder of our time on the island was a peculiar mix of frustration and enjoyment.  Frustration at being stormbound and enjoyment of the fine scenery and even finer people we met. The second full day was grey and wet.  No finer weather to visit Murray's Hotel for cards by the fire.  This proved a rewarding decision. Drink, food and cards were all to our liking and our hosts proved just as welcoming as the had been on our first day.  As the place filled we were introduced to many regular, and not so regular, customers.  Foremost was Fionan, a nephew of Andrews, who'd studied at Ringaskiddy as a marine engineer. He waxed nautical with us for a bit and agreed to cast his eye over our dodgy stern gland next day, when he got a break from the Island Ferry.  This he surly did and confirmed we were 'unlikely' to sink before we reached Killybegs where it should be easily sorted. He showed us his own boat and the new curragh which all his nephews and nieces had...

The storm on Inishbofin has been something to put the wind up the best of us.  Siobhan took this photograph (of another photograph in the community centre)...our storm was not quite up to this standard!!Before it even hit us however we were up during the night..alerted by our anchor alarm as we were dragging anchor!  We managed to secure but it did lead to a somewhat anxious night.  Next morning, a little bedraggled, we got our acts together and sorted the outboard for another trip ashore. Mark, assisted by the skipper tried and tried and tried.  They say if it sounds too good to be true...it probably is too good!  Our remarkably economic outboard is a piece of sh/t!!  Worse than useless, it conspires to frustrate and agitate.  Mark's patience is unmatched. He strips it down and tweaks every tweakable bit!  But to no avail!  It was a row to the pier for himself and Siobhan in search of showers and a few supplies.  The community cen...

Local knowledge is a wonderful thing.  While hunting down a fresh water tap Mark came upon a salty sea dog on Inishmore who advised we set off at 6a.m. in order to catch the tide which would whip us up to Slyne Head at an amazing 18 knots!! Given the tide in these parts run at 1 knot and Goose averages 5 or 6 knots we were willing to suspend our scepticism in favour of fantasy...so having feasted on a delicious stir fry followed be Grandma's tea Brack (Siobhan reckons we could live on Brack alone!)  we settled down for the shortest sleep imaginable.  Our heads had hardly touched our pillows when that hideous 5a.m. alarm had us up, breakfasting on hearty bowls of porridge and making ready for 'one more day on the Grey Funnel Line'. Off we went and in full sail too on a slightly overcast but nonetheless delightful morn. Our speed over ground averaging 5.5 knots...damn local knowledge! Conversations as we brave the briney are wide-ranging both in subject matter and in t...

A 5 a.m. start was no joke ..but we had a sweet sail away from the mooring as the sun rose over the Shannon.  A blissful day on the Atlantic. Sun and dolphins aplenty..but, as is our way, barely a breath of wind after 10a.m.  A 12 hour run saw us on Inishmore for an early night and away again tomorrow...this time Inishbofin in our sights

Kilrush has proven a much more enticing little funk hole than anticipated.  Full of history, culture and helpful inhabitants only to happy to lend a helping hand to the bemused and befuddled yachtsman. Our desires were varied ranging from phone repairs to g clamps and a tea pot.  (If anyone would like to purchase the glassless innerds of a caftiere we are willing to sell them at a reasonable rate!)  Not only were the inhabitants helpful but in Buggels bar (where we needlessly hoped Mark could tickle his strings) we came upon this.. An unassuming yet surprisingly efficient device perfectly matched to the somewhat shabby interior.  While not sophisticated it did lend an authenticity to the evening. One point to mention is that although Kilrush was welcoming it did have one resident (dressed in a grey hoody) who stalked us but not without the eagle eyed Siobhan spotting him.In all three bars we visited!  It could however have been a member of Special Branch who...

A Halt To The Inaction It seems the winter is finally moving on...and so it seems are we!   We have rejoined Goose although minus Neil.  His wife Jo had a slip on some steps in Australia a few weeks ago! The intrepid pair are home but Jo's leg is in a cast and requires Nurse Neil's undivided, understanding and un-complaining attention.  Two out of three might be a result! Hopefully he may join us later on the voyage, but we have a replacement.  We have been joined by Siobhan...a skilled and companiable ruffian sailor with humour, banter and tales aplenty. We have another addition as well.  Mark has brought along his fiddle to sooth our troubled hearts. The challenge is a tune for every port (hopefully more) and this, no doubt, will entice Goose to jig and reel over the briney as she carries us home. Goose herself had a lonely and somewhat painful winter in Dingle.  Stern gland trouble resulted in some leakage (it happens us all as we get older) an...