2014-06-29 Arthur's Coastal Cruise 2014 - Part 1

Carrigaholt in the distance, centre-left. We will be turning to starboard shortly to head into the channel for Cappagh and Kilrush.

Circa 17:40...Tankers on the Shannon Estuary between Kilrush and Carrigaholt waiting for the tide. Tide dictates water depth as well as water flow, either or both of which can determine when tankers will move.

Note that whereas there are many red and green markers on the estuary these are essentially for the large tankers which have to take account of draft. Small leisure craft can afford to ignore these markers but should certainly keep an eye on water depths.

17:41.... approx. 5 and 1/2 hours since we departed Limerick and we are approaching Cappagh and the adjacent Kilrush.

On the approach channel to Kilrush Creek Marina.

On the approach channel to Kilrush Creek Marina. Note the red and green markers that denote the safe channel leading to the entrance to the sea-lock that gives access to the marina.

17:52...inside Kilrush Creek Marina... :-)

18:00... Arthur on a finger in Kilrush Creek Marina. View of the administrative and service block.

DAY 4 - Wednesday, 2nd July, 2014.

The day after our passage from Limerick to Kilrush and the wind has blown up somewhat. Kilrush Creek Marina sea-lock in the distance. For the past number of years we have got into the habit of taking a 'rest day' after we complete a lengthy passage. So, today we will relax... and check the weather of course!

Day 7 - Saturday, 5th July, 2014

Still in Kilrush Creek Marina... another breezy day as a training session for children gets underway in the relative safety of the marina.

Mary uses her new folding bicyle for a trip to Tesco on the outskirts of Kilrush. As previously mentioned...great value from Halford's in Limerick. [Photo via HTC One M8]

Day 17 - Tuesday, 15th July, 2014

We had to leave Kilrush and head back to Galway for a funeral. We returned to Kilrush on the 14th July.

Mary with our new found French friend Philippe who had solo sailed from France! I greeted him the previous day with a salutation, in my best french, 'Je vous souhaite un joyeux jour Bastille' which I thought meant that I was wishing him a Happy Bastille Day... In fact they use the phrase 'Fete Nationale' when referring to the 14th July... :-( Anyway, he appreciated the general sense of my intentions. We shared a schanpps onboard his yacht...before I had eaten breakfast!!!

Me and Philippe. It was a feature of this year's cruise, as in previous years as well, that we met such a diversity of characters of varying nationalities.

Day 18 - Wednesday, 16th July, 2014

Carreras arrives in Kilrush... Brian and Maura, together with their three teenage boys, cruised from Limerick via Foynes. In 2013 Carreras had cruised to Fenit. This year her captain wanted to go further! Dingle here we come!

Mick Tevlin of Kilrush Creek Marina doing some cleaning of the jetties/fingers.

Brian of Carreras having a cuppa on-board Arthur circa 20.30hrs! Brian was suffering from an upset stomach and was taking things gently after a poor night's sleep. Our plan was to head for Dingle in the morning...assuming all going well with the weather... and Brian's stomach!

Day 19 - Thursday, 17th July, 2014

Weather looks okay. Winds F3 backing to F2/F1. And gusts also easing later in the afternoon. And swell is low. Brian has returned from a trip to a local pharmacy which in turn resulted in a visit to a GP. The smile on his face upon his return speaks volumes... :-) We are all set to go. Departure will be circa 11.30hrs. Dingle here we come!

11:29...and Arthur departs Kilrush Creek Marina bound for Dingle.

Crew of Carreras getting ready to depart Kilrush Creek Marina...

Carreras exits the sea-lock at Kilrush Creek Marina

Close-up of Carreras. Note the leading diagonal markers on left of picture. Keep them aligned as you make the approach to the marina and also when departing!

Arthur with her bow pointed towards the mouth of the Shannon Estuary! Note the tanker on the Kerry (left) side of the estuary. And Carrigaholt is visible in the distance on the Clare (right) side!

Carreras with Kilrush in the background.

On the Shannon Estuary.

Carreras heads towards the mouth of the Shannon Estuary.

Mary at the helm.

Mary at the helm...Carrigaholt in the background.

Carreras, with the Kerry coastline festooned with windmills, in the background.

circa 15.15...Carreras passing Brandon Bay. Passage so far has been quite gentle.

Carreras approaching Brandon Point.

circa 16.00...View of Kerry coastline from Arthur

Carreas coming up behind Arthur with Mt. Brandon to right of photo.

circa 17.10...the Three Sisters centre right and Mt. Brandon in the distance...

In the Blasket Sound...The Great Blasket.

circa 17.30...we are heading through the Blasket Sound. Valentia Island in the distance.

Looking astern. Sybil Point to left of photo.

Carreras about to enter the Blasket Sound.

Mary, with paper charts to hand.

circa 18.12... on Dingle Bay... just short of seven hours since we departed Kilrush Creek Marina.

Circa 19.11...and we are on the channel leading into Dingle Harbour. Passage time will cap out at approximately 8 hours by the time we berth at Dingle Marina.

Approaching Dingle Marina.

Day 20 - Friday, 18th July, 2014

Brian and Maura on-board Arthur for a drink to celebrate their first passage to Dingle.

Mary with Patricia Fenton of Fenton's Restaurant in Dingle. And yes, that is Lobster on the table... :-) A couple of points... #1... we LOVE seafood, #2... we love the range of super restaurants in Dingle, #3... we have learned from previous experience that it is, for us, a waste of time going out for a meal after a lengthy 8 hr passage. Although we never suffer from sea sickness we both DO experience 'motion' for several hours after a long passage. So, we go out for a meal on the day after we complete a long passage.

What a lobster! And boy was it tasty! You may wonder why there is only one dish of food on the table. Mary and I love sharing food when we eat out. We call it '50/50'. We will each place an order for a different dish and then share each plate of food. That way you get to taste twice as many dishes as you might otherwise do!

Mary and Paul with Patricia Fenton who had actually prepared the lobster dish.

A happy looking Mary!

The happy smiles are due to a combination of satisfaction in getting to Dingle and enjoying a nice meal in Fenton's.