2015-07-16 Arthur's Coastal Cruise 2015 - Part 3

DAY 24 - Thursday, 16th July, 2015

The morning after the day before! We have developed a routine over the past few years that whenever we undertake a lengthy passage, e.g. 6+ hours, we always try and enjoy a rest day on the following day. And so it was with today. This morning, Roland, duty supervisor at Dingle Marina, visits Arthur. One of the most pleasant people we have met at any marina in our nine years cruising the coast. Unfortunately for visitors to Dingle Marina, Roland was scheduled to change direction in September 2015! We wish him well in his new career path.

We take a stroll to the nearby town centre which is right beside the marina. And no visit to Dingle should happen without a visit to Murphy's Ice-cream shop. A must visit! The huge range of unusual flavoured ice creams offers something for everyone.

Dick Mack's, undoubtedly the most famous pub in Dingle. And where is Dick Mack's? Opposite the Church! And where is the Church? Opposite Dick Mack's! And some of the 'Greats' to have visited Dick Mack's are commemorated in the 'Stars' located on the footpath outside the pub.

The Church...which is opposite.....

Strawberry Beds...operated by one of Dingle's most famous residents...Nuala Moore, best known for open water swimming and ice swimming. But better known to Mary and me as a former student at RTCG/GMIT!

Read more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuala_Moore

Global Village... arguably Dingle's finest restaurant and a personal favourite of ours for several years. And there is no shortage of fine restaurants in Dingle! One little thing that we discovered over the years of coastal cruising is that, for both of us, it is NOT a good idea to go out for a nice meal on the evening after a long passage. We both suffer from the effects of water motion incurred after a lengthy day passage at sea. We now defer the treat until the following day!

On our way back to the marina we pass the commercial harbour, home to the local fishing fleet.

Dingle Marina with service block on right which includes restaurant, shop, office, toilets, showers. Note large yacht on left of picture.

2015DingleusingPSv3

Liara... a luxury yacht which features the following:

Cabin Configuration :-
1 Double
1 Single
1 Twin
2 Pullman

Specification:-

Length: 32m
Beam: 7m
Draft: 3.5m
Displacement: 69 tonnes
Built: 2009 | 2014
Construction: Carbon Fibre/Kevlar
Engines: 1 x Cummins (305HP)
Cruising speed: 13 Knots

Asking price: a snip at a mere ... €5,495,000

Click the photo to enlarge the image. Choose an alternatives size option from small to original.

DAY 27 - Sunday, 19th July, 2015

Circa 10:10...Geoff & Evelyne relaxing on the main jetty at Dingle Marina as we get ready to depart Dingle. Arthur is bound for Lawrence Cove whereas Cool Runnings and Snow Mouse are contemplating a passage to Baltimore.

A thumbs-up from Pat who is getting ready for departure from Dingle.

Geraldine, up and ready for the passage.

A screen-dump of the Windguru forecast for Bolus Head which arrived on my notebook at 06:00! Today looking good to go but tomorrow (Monday) looking rough. And Sunday, 26th July looking even rougher...

Snow Mouse in her berth on the main jetty at Dingle Marina.

"Arthur" in Noel Fitzgibbon's berth on the main jetty at Dingle Marina. Noel had headed off hoping to get up the east coast and perhaps on to Scotland. Hence the availability of the premier berth when we arrived at Dingle! As it turned out we would catch up with Noel on our return visit on our way back from Bantry Bay later in the month. Noel has been a very good friend to crew of Arthur since we first met him several years ago. An absolute gentleman and graced with a rich knowledge of the heritage and history of the entire area.

Cool Runnings in her berth alongside Arthur in Dingle Marina.

10:40...a quick run uptown to get the papers and some groceries. Gangway to main jetty. Bow of "Arthur" just visible at bottom of gangway.

circa 10:52...Arthur and Cool Runnings depart Dingle Marina. Snow Mouse, with a top speed of 7kts, departed a little earlier so as to get a bit of the passage under her belt before we catch up with her. In fact it was just before we rounded Valentia before we caught up with her!

12:22... Valentia Island ahead with the two Skellig Michael islands to right of the headland.

13:20...rounding Valentia Island. Skellig Michaels straight ahead. And Lemon Rock visible as a small blob to left of picture..

circa 13:48... Cool Runnings, south of Valentia Island. Some more photos of Cool Runnings follow, all taken within a few minutes of each other.

Circa 13:50... Snow Mouse hugs the coastline. Differing views re this practice. Some argue that the coastline gives shelter. Others possit the view that there is less turbulence away from the coastline. And of course the direction of the wind is a crucial element. Generally speaking we tend to cruise a couple of miles off the coastline. And of course we are always very choosy re the weather/sea state in which we cruise!

13:50...Cool Runnings running smoothly!

14:00...Cool Runnings (left) and Snow Mouse (right).

14:50.... Mainland to left of photo with The Calf and The Bull off Dursey Head. This section of the passage is usually a good place for viewing dolphins.

Mary has just spotted dolphins! Mary has a strong belief that if we encounter dolphins during a passage that the passage will be safe and smooth. And our coastal cruising experiences to date on "Arthur" affirm her belief.

Skipper enjoying the passage. Weather not quite good enough to fully remove the canopy. We did remove the back section thus giving the best of both worlds!

circa 15:25... ...and now the Calf is just about visible between the Cow and Dursey Head. I fleetingly toy with the idea of changing passage and heading through Dursey Sound until wise counsel prevails as Mary reminds me that we have planned a passage via Dursey Head...and we have never before passaged through Dursey Sound. Not a good idea for changing tack (excuse the pun) midway through a pre-planned passage! Maybe on the return leg.

15:45...just passing Kenmare River. Some day...but not today... :-(

15:56...from right to left...The Bull, The Cow, The Calf, The Heifer.

15:58...The Cow. What always intrigues me is how the view of these islands (rocks?) changes as the angle differs as we make our way through the water towards Dursey Head.

16:04...The Bull. Note the lighthouse and helipad at top of the island. You will need to enlarge the photo to see the details.

16:05...Dursey Head.

16:24...just passing Dursey Head and turning into Bantry Bay.