Day 9 Kilmore Quay to Kilmore Quay!!

Our plan for today had been to leave Kilmore at 12.30 and head to Dunmore East, have something to eat, a bit of a rest and leave at 11pm for Cork. Arriving at lunchtime on Monday.

We left as planned and had only got out of the harbour when the boat filled with smoke, alarms went off and engine cut out.  Immediately got the head sail up and headed for the Safe Water Marker Buoy to allow us time to sort things out. It soon became apparent that we need to return to Kilmore Quay for specialised assistance. However, being spring tides and we were leaving on the low tide to get the push south, we had no room for error. There wasn’t enough wind for us to sail the very long leading line into the harbour without risking being pushed onto the shallows either side, so we contacted the coastguard who got Kilmore Quay RNLI to kindly give us a tow back in. 

So, back at Kilmore Quay Marine where we will be until Friday when we can get engine sorted. Turns out  the water pump had seized, but engine won’t turn on.

Many, many, many thanks to those amazing volunteers who rescued us.  Today they were called out twice to rescue kayakers and another boat! 

 

Day 7- 8 Arklow to Kilmore Quay Wexford

 Kilmore is a small fishing village but is a popular holiday location aswell.  Its like a small Ballycstle with amazing beaches.

Great Saltee and Little Saltee islands sit just off the coast and boat trips go out daily.  These islands are nature reserves and this part of the world takes eco and environmental conservation very seriously which is great to see.

The beaches here are amazing and would rival anything I've seen in the med.  It has a few lovely restaurants and pubs which took Covid regulations very seriously. 

Windy! Doragh in the background

Kilmore Quay

Kilmore Quay

Walk on the beach

Day 6 Howth to Arklow

 No wind, not a breeze!  Motored the whole way arriving about 7pm.  Its a very narrow channel up to the marina and our entrance was timed perfectly with the exit of Arklow Rowing club!!

The entrance into the marina is a sharp right turn which is only about 5m wide.  It was lucky I was there to keep Mark right 😂

Shopping, dinner and bed. Decided to head for Kilmore Quay in Wexford in morning.

Fast for us!

Doragh in Arklow

Skipper having a kip

Day 5 Howth

 Beautiful morning, sea like a pond.  Sat on deck and watched paddle boarders making their way over to the beach on Ireland's Eye.  Sailed into Howth marina. Took a walk around Howth and got some fish for dinner on the pier.  Weather is amazing but you tend not to notice the heat so much on the boat because of the breeze.  Sat up on the club balcony and had a few drinks and people watched.

Day 3-4 Carlingford to Howth

 Slept in so our intended departure of 8am turned into 10am.  Great wind so motor off, sails up! Decided to anchor at Ireland's Eye just outside Howth marina.  Howth sailing club were out when we arrived as well as jet bikes, kayaks and motorboats. Small beach beside us and loads of birds! Had dinner and watched sun set along with one jet bike who just didn't want the day to end! 

Solar Power at Ireland's Eye

Sunset at Ireland's Eye

Brekkie

Martelo Tower Irelands Eye

Day 2 -3 Ardglass to Carlingford

 Bit more wind today so got some sailing.  Arrived in Carlingford late afternoon and took a walk into town. Wine and oysters sitting in their outside seating - watching the world go by.

Enjoyed it so much went back the next night for more!  Carlingford marina staff really helpful and restaurant serves great food with outside seating looking out over the marina.

PJ's

 

Leaving Carlingford

Carlingford Marina

North to Port, South to Starboard!

Day 1 Leaving Bangor, Northern Ireland

17th July 2021

We left Bangor at 0940 on Saturday morning and headed towards Ardglass.  No wind so motor on! Passed Donaghadee and gave anyone watching near our house a wave.

Arrived in Ardgalss and were helped in by Malaka Queen www.svmalakaqueen.com  a 53ft Amel ketch that had just arrived from Tunisia via Gibraltar. Friends joined us and had fish and chips. Must eat fish in Ardglass! 

Weather amazing and great company.

Getting ready to leave

Bangor Marina

Hot for Northern Ireland

Passing Donaghadee

Arrived in Ardglass

Mournes in the distance

Ardglass

Relaxing

Previous trips and plan to go.

 Our 5 year plan at last appears to be coming to fruition! 

When we bought Doragh and Mark sailed her home to Bangor from Plymouth our plan had always been to head south to a warmer climate and visit as many new places as we could. 

So far we have visited Scotland on a couple of trips, the Isle of Man and headed up the north coast to Rathlin. It has been wonderful and so  relaxing but since Covid has delayed our departure we have been working, or Mark has been working, at upgrading our navigation and safety equipment as we get ready to leave.

Rathlin

Crinan Canal, Scotland

In Belfast