Arthur's Coastal Cruise 2013 - Part 1
Read MoreDay 1, Monday, 8th July - Arthur receiving some TLC in Connaught Harbour
Monday, July 8th, 2013..."Arthur" in Connaught Harbour receiving some TLC from Eamon Egan and Fergal Kerney prior to setting off on our annual Coastal Cruise of the south-west coast of Ireland. Given our encounter with a nasty wind against tide in dense fog at Kerry Head last year a Garmin Radar 18 HD is being installed. And a new chartplotter, Garmin 750S, is replacing our old trusty Garmin 276c.
The weather is currently 'super'...very low winds, and we are keen to get started. But we must cool our heels until Eamon and Fergal have completed their work on "Arthur". It looks like we will not be able to set-off until Tuesday. But, better to be safe than sorry!Day 2, Tuesday, 9th July - Departing Portumna
Fergal Kerney completed the installation of the new Garmin radar and chartplotter on "Arthur" and enabled us to make the 17:30 Portumna bridge opening! So, it looks like we will only make it as far as Killaloe for today. Hopefully we will make it to Kilrush on Wednesday...a long trip but weather still looking very good.
Day 3, Wednesday, 10th July - Departing Killaloe...bound for Kilrush
We commenced our passage circa 07.00 hrs and leaving Killaloe in our wake we headed for Ardnacrusha. The photo above shows Parteen Weir in the distance.
Plan A is to transit directly through Limerick and head straight to Kilrush...it will be a long day but given the glorious weather that we are currently enjoying, in particular the low winds, it is important to make maximum use of it and get as many nautical miles under the belt as possible!
And Plan B is the same as Plan A... :-)Lunch! If the passage is likely to be gentle Mary prepares lunch 'to order'. If not, then lunch is prepared BEFORE we begin the passage. Today it is egg and chive on brown bread; cucumber on brown bread; pate topped with cherry tomato on Carr's water biscuits. And all washed down with a glass of chilled white wine! Only 4 hours to go before we arrive at Cahersiveen!
"Arthur" berthed at Cahersiveen Marina after a nine hour passage from Kilrush. Time to take a break before commencing the passage to Lawrence Cove Marina on Bere Island!
A niggling thought at the back of my mind urges me to continue on to Bantry Bay tomorrow....but another voice in my head says...take a break...you have completed three long passages on three consecutive days! We opt for the break!