2015-06-23 Arthur's Coastal Cruise 2015 - Part 1
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DAY 1 - Tuesday, 23rd June, 2015
Arthur's first trip beyond Limerick occurred in 2007 when we participated in a Cruising Club CiC to Kilrush. Every year since then Arthur has undertaken a Coastal Cruise with passages to Fenit, Dingle, Cahersiveen, Bantry Bay, Crookhaven, Schull and the Aran Islands.
2015 marked Arthur's NINTH consecutive sortie on the salty!
In anticipation of Arthur's Coastal Cruise 2015 I had been looking at weather forecasts since early June. Getting to Kilrush enables the planning to really start as we contemplate the 'coastal' passages.
Hence the fixation with forecasts for Brandon Bay (and Smerwick). The forecast for Brandon Bay above shows a 10 day forecast. A pity we were not in Kilrush prior to 22nd/23rd June! But, reality is that we can only ever contemplate a starting point of June 22nd due to Mary's work commitments.
This time we arrived at Arthur's home marina on Tuesday, 23rd June in time to make the 15:00 opening of Portumna Bridge. As always, our eyes are firmly focused on the weather forecast for Brandon Bay (and/or Smerwick). And of course we turn to our trusted friend Windguru for our weather forecasts. We use Brandon Bay as a reference point for the passage from Kilrush to Dingle. And of course we have to get to Kilrush first! Weather for today or tomorrow would have done very nicely for the Kilrush to Dingle passage but unfortunately it will take us a minimum of 2-3 good days to get to Kilrush...weather permitting.
The forecast is not looking very good...but fortunately forecasts can and do change!
We get ready to head for Portumna Bridge.
Barry of 'Morning Mist' sees us off.
We head through Portumna Bridge. Our first destination is actually Rossmore. Given the weather forecast there is no urgency in getting to Kilrush.
A pleasant passage puts us in Rossmore in the late afternoon. We tie up on the jetty and then realise that even though it is only a light breeze we would be better on the other side and move Arthur accordingly. No more gentle slapping against the jetty. The photo above is the view from the pier at Rossmore Harbour looking towards the Woodford River at circa 21:45. The harbour is deserted and we enjoy a quiet night at Rossmore. It is a lovely spot.
Arthur at Rossmore Quay.
DAY 2 - Wednesday, 24th June, 2015
Today's passage will see us head to Killaloe. Yes, we could make Limerick but an unexpected development means that we will not be able to arrive in Killaloe until circa 18:00.
circa 17:30 and we have passed Parker Point. ETA at Killaloe is circa 18:30. It has been a good day and the passage has been very smooth and weather has been sunny and rain-free!
Mary wearing her new 'MY Arthur' cap!
Circa 18:25 and we are approaching Killaloe. We overnight at Killaloe and expect to be there for a few days.
DAY 5 - Saturday, 27th June, 2015
After spending a couple of days at Killaloe we are making an early start. We have arranged for a locking through Ardnacrusha for 11:00. View of Killaloe bridge at 08:55.
Our neighbours for the previous night, Stephen & Marguerite Maher, the crew of Gerda, have risen early to give us a hand as we prepare to depart Killaloe.
With radar arch lowered we pass under Killaloe bridge and head for Ardnacrusha.
The approach to the guillotine gate at Parteen Weir. All the technology that was installed in recent years is now redundant. The gate has been raised and we pass through without any problem.
Circa 10:50 and we are approaching Ardnacrusha. Perfect timing.
10:55 and we make the approach to enter the upper chamber. We will have the lock to ourselves on this occasion and can choose which side to enter and which elements (hooks, ladders or trailing rubber covered chains) to use to secure Arthur.
11:35 and we are making good time in our descent through the upper chamber.
And who should arrive but our good friend, Pat Lysaght.
circa 12:40 and Pat comes onboard for a 'cuppa' of Barry's (tea leaf tea only served on Arthur!) best before we head into Limerick and a berth at Custom House Quay.
Heading into Limerick. No matter how often we have made this passage there is always a flow of adrenalin as we do the five bridges in quick succession! Pat leads the way. And we keep an eye on lining up dead centre of the navigation markers on the bridge!
Pat leads the way. Barrington's Jetty on the right. O'Dwyer's Bridge ahead. Note channel markers at top of centre arch.
Berthed at Custom House Quay, Pat joins us for another cuppa.
DAY 7 - Thursday, 29th June, 2015
We take a walk about town including a visit to Savins Music Centre, one of the few real Hi-Fi shops in the West. A couple of years ago I bought, via their website and then over the phone, several hi-fi components and was delighted with price and service. We wandered around the store admiring the extensive range of hi-fi and related home entertainment equipment. Highly recommended for Hi-Fi enthusiasts.
DAY 8 - Friday, 30th June, 2015
Mary gets a break from the galley! We go out for dinner to La Piccola (Italian) restaurant. We spent a while googling restaurants in Limerick and after a few phonecalls we settled on La Piccola! We were not disappointed.
Mary outside La Piccola (Italian) restaurant. We had a very enjoyable meal including a large 'Black Sole on the Bone which was scrumptious!
circa 21:40...Looking up-river from Custom House Quay.
Three large cruisers at Custom House Quay. In the foreground is 'Cool Runnings', a Broom Ocean 34, 'Arthur' to the right and in the background is Snow Mouse a modified Broom 42 originally commissioned especially for Emerald Star. And we were just about to make acquaintance with their respective crews!
(Left to right) Geoff & Evelyne of 'Snow Mouse' and Pat & Geraldine of 'Cool Runnings'. And the banner at the back of Snow Mouse says it all! Pat has recently retired and they are now about to fulfill a dream to cruise to Holland via South-west coast of Ireland and then onto to Wales and then the south-coast of England and over to Dunkirk for winter mooring before resuming in Spring 2016 when they plan to passage through the canals of France, Belgium and Holland! A mighty adventure indeed.
"Arthur", tucked up in a inside berth at Custom House Quay.
Geoff & Evelyne.
A late night drink onboard Snow Mouse.
Mary behind the camera...and she has taken a nice shot! it transpires that neither crew has passaged to Kilrush before and we happily agree to take them with us when we depart Limerick the following morning.
DAY 9 - Wednesday, 1st July, 2015
Yes, the forecast is for Brandon Bay...I seldom screen-dump forecasts for Limerick - Kilrush. BUT, if it's that good at Brandon Bay, then it will surely be good for our passage to Kilrush! And of course I had checked the weather for our passage to Kilrush ...I simply didn't save it!
Circa 07:50 ...we have arranged with Dick Sparling for a lock-through Sarsfield Lock at 08:00. The weather looks very good, no wind and plenty of sunshine...an ideal combination for our passage to Kilrush.
Dick Sparling, lock-keeper at Sarsfield Lock. Always obliging to boaters transiting Limerick.
'Snow Mouse' enters Sarsfield Lock.
Geraldine of 'Cool Runnings'.
"Arthur" exiting Sarsfield Lock.
'Snow Mouse' passing under the bridge at Sarsfield Lock.
circa 10:20... Beeves Rock lighthouse with Aughinish Alumina in the background.
Our favourite lighthouse... Beeves Rock.
Cool Runnings and Snow Mouse...just past Beeves Rock.
