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) and my own fluctuating health meant she did not get the attention she deserved through those dark and desolate months. A week on board in April saw most things sorted and we have rejoined our trusty vessel ready to take in the challenges of the Atlantic with a mixture of exhilaration and trepidation. Until we get underway there's always a little nervousness and the prospect of the notorious Atlantic swells will test our seapersonship and steady resolve. Still We're up for the challenge.
Monday the 14th May sees us slip our lines at Dingle marina and move tentatively into the bay. We're off!
Our course is set for Blasket sound then on to Fenit or possibly Kilrush. As seems to be our way the wind is scant. Despite quite a blow last night it has calmed to mill pond standards and we are under engine. We have a calm and pleasant run through the sound in stunning weather and continue on our merry way having avoided any of the legendary hazards of this famed streatch of water. We emerge with the endless expanse of the Atlantic opening up on our port bow. For good measure the view is accompanied by a rising swell of two to three metres but the light winds render this a gentle introduction. We hoist the main to steady us rather that to increase or speed and settle down for a pleasant trip.
As if to ensure we don't get too comfortable there are a few short bursts of a grating noise that seem to come from the direction of the prop shaft! We drop the revs and the noise stops. Hushed and serious conversations (Despite our total mechanical incompetance) bring us to the conclusion that we'd caught something on the prop and thankfully lost it again. On we went, a little chastened but nevertheless optimistic.
The weather seduced us into pressing on to Kilrush. Our spirits were high despite Mark and myself suffering some queeziness, not uncommon on a first sail of the season. The run into port from Kerry Head did seem endless however and our days run had been seriously underestimated taking us almost 12 hours. No small compensation was at hand when we were greeted at the lock gates to Kilrush marina by a jovial pair who were clearly very proud of their impressive facilities giving us chapter and verse and in Siobhan case a guided tour!
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) and my own fluctuating health meant she did not get the attention she deserved through those dark and desolate months. A week on board in April saw most things sorted and we have rejoined our trusty vessel ready to take in the challenges of the Atlantic with a mixture of exhilaration and trepidation. Until we get underway there's always a little nervousness and the prospect of the notorious Atlantic swells will test our seapersonship and steady resolve. Still We're up for the challenge.
Monday the 14th May sees us slip our lines at Dingle marina and move tentatively into the bay. We're off!
As if to ensure we don't get too comfortable there are a few short bursts of a grating noise that seem to come from the direction of the prop shaft! We drop the revs and the noise stops. Hushed and serious conversations (Despite our total mechanical incompetance) bring us to the conclusion that we'd caught something on the prop and thankfully lost it again. On we went, a little chastened but nevertheless optimistic.
The weather seduced us into pressing on to Kilrush. Our spirits were high despite Mark and myself suffering some queeziness, not uncommon on a first sail of the season. The run into port from Kerry Head did seem endless however and our days run had been seriously underestimated taking us almost 12 hours. No small compensation was at hand when we were greeted at the lock gates to Kilrush marina by a jovial pair who were clearly very proud of their impressive facilities giving us chapter and verse and in Siobhan case a guided tour!
Once berthed we discovered the stern gland was taking in way too much water. Was it a result of catching something on the prop earlier? The answer would have to wait till tomorrow...for nor it was a light supper and into our bunks and dreams of mermaids and (for one crewmember at least) mermen!
Hi D and crew. Hope all is well. Happy sailing. Where are you now?
ReplyDeleteBe safe and enjoy the trip. Brendan
ReplyDelete