Arthur's Coastal Cruise 2017 - Part 2
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DAY 10 - Wednesday, 5th July, 2017
circa 10:48...Kilrush Marina. We had a relaxing day yesterday, a standard procedure for "Arthur" and her crew after a lengthy passage. Last night we were entertained royally by Neill Barnaby at Naughton's Steak and Seafood Restaurant, Kilkee. Today we are planning to head to Dingle. See Windguru forecast on next slide.
Almost too good to be true! Very low winds coupled with low wave height/swell. And direction of wind and wave not an issue. We even contemplated delaying departure until Thursday. But in the end, and it turned out to be fortuitous, we elected to make the passage to Dingle on the Wednesday. it would have been nice to have an ebb tide as we headed own the estuary but unfortunately it was a rising tide. Well, you can't have everything!
circa 10:48.... "Arthur" in her berth prior to departing Kilrush Marina. Mary took a quick trip to Supervalu to collect some provisions.
11:17..."Arthur" in the sea-lock with the gates opening.
Kim, Manager at Kilrush Marina bids us a safe passage as she lets us out of the sea-lock.
circa 11:30...what a calm sea state. Carrigaholt ahead on right of picture.
12:25...Passing Kilcredaun Lighthouse.
12:45...With that happy smile on her face, Mary must have just spotted a dolphin(s). It has always been the case with "Arthur" that anytime we encounter dolphin(s) during a passage that we have a safe trip! Always!
circa 13:10...Approaching Kerry Head. Brandon Mountain in the distance. And the sea state is still extraordinarily calm.
13:38...Looking astern. Loop Head in the distance, on left of photo.
13:38...Looking astern up the Shannon Estuary.
circa 15:12... Passing Brandon Mountain...
circa 15:15...Three Sisters in the distance.
15:40 ...Mary with paper charts...and newspapers!
15:40...Looking ahead. Three Sisters in distance.
16:30...Sybil Point on left of photo. Blasket sound just around the corner. The passage has been remarkably smooth so far... But that was about to change!
16:45...just as we are about to enter the Blasket Sound we notice a sea fog has descended!
circa 17:15..."Arthur" is making her way through the Blasket Sound and the fog is becoming heavy! Radar is now being monitored with intensity. We've been here before and it's not pleasant when visibility deteriorates significantly. It was because of a similar incident a couple of years ago that I subsequently installed radar. This is payback time.
circa 18:38...We have emerged from the Blasket Sound and rounded Slea Head. The fog has lifted somewhat and the entrance to dingle Harbour lies ahead, just about visible in this photo. It is over ninety minutes since I lifted my camera to take a photo. Navigating through fog is stressful and requires a high level of concentration. The radar was useful and identified vessels in the vicinity but thankfully not too close!
18:40... The approach to the entrance to Dingle Harbour. The fog has almost completely lifted.
circa 18:45... Mary prepares the lines for berthing in Dingle Marina.
"Arthur" snugly berthed after a long and at times arduous passage from Kilrush. Time to relax. A simple meal on-board tonight. We long ago learned that we suffer from 'sea-motion' after long passages and that detracts from the ability to enjoy dining out. We usually reserve that option for the following day when the 'sea-motion' has vanished and we are able to enjoy a meal in a restaurant.
DAY 12 - Friday, 7th July, 2017
We had a quiet relaxing day yesterday. A visit to Supervalu and a walk around Dingle. On the hammerhead alongside us was 'Aleria' owned and sailed by Alex and Daria Blackwell authors of Cruising the Wild Atlantic Way. They were en-route to Galicia having set out from their home berth in Westport at the beginning of the month.
circa 08:30... I rose early to take a few photos. "Arthur" in her berth, almost dead centre of photo. Navy canopy on upper driving position just about visible!
Look who I met...out for her daily early morning walk! The well known Ice Swimming Woman herself...Nuala Moore.
"Arthur" in her berth, extreme left of photo.
circa 15:40.."Arthur" about to take a re-fill of diesel.
DAY 13 - Saturday, 8th July, 2017
A Bucket List job! Today we will head for Sneem. A first for "Arthur" and her crew who have never before cruised on the Kenmare River. Forecast (see next photo) looks very good. And we will have an ebb tide as we head across Dingle Bay. And a further bonus will be the last few hours of a rising tide as we cruise up the Kenmare River.
Photo shows the mouth of Dingle Harbour circa 11:00 just before we depart Dingle Marina.
What a lucky run we are having with the weather! Another day with extremely low winds and gusts albeit that wave height/swell are higher than on our passage from Kilrush to Dingle. And wind and wave direction not perfectly aligned. But then given the low winds it shouldn't matter too much.
Passage length is approximately 44NM which will take us circa 5-6hrs to complete.
circa 11:00..."Arthur" departs Dingle bound for Sneem.
11:10...Leaving Dingle in our wake!
11:10...Leaving Dingle in our wake!
11:15...Crossing Dingle Bay. Valentia Island in the distance.
12:12...Approximately halfway to Valentia. Looking astern at Dingle Harbour.
12:20...Approaching Valentia Island. And sea state so calm.
circa 13:00 ...Mary on her mobile as "Arthur" rounds Valentia Island.
Fishing boat "White Rose" returning to Portmagee.
Fishing boat "White Rose" returning to Portmagee.
13:08...Skellig Islands in the distance.
circa 13:30...Looking astern at the Skellig Islands as "Arthur" prepares to head up the Kenmare River.
Skellig Islands. Note various boats (one clearly visible on left of photo...others represented by microscopic dots in the distance!) in the vicinity.
Circa 14:15 ...Mary enjoying a sambo and a cuppa! And the smile might have something to do with the fact that we have already encountered dolphins on this passage!