Arthur's Coastal Cruise 2017 - Part 4
Read More
DAY 28 - Sunday, 23rd July, 2017
Hard to believe that we set out from Killaloe four weeks ago! So much ground (water?) covered including approximately a week before we even got to Kilrush!
Anyway, as always, we have been watching the weather with an eye on passaging to Baltimore/Sherkin Island. And a 'weather window' presents itself tomorrow. The Windguru forecast above for Kinsale shows Sunday morning to be 'good to go'! Looks like an early departure, circa 08:00 will do the biz! Distance is approx. 41NM, which will take us 5-6 hours at a constant cruising speed of 7-8kts. And with High Water at circa 06:00 we will be 2 hrs into an ebb tide as we make our way out of Kinsale. And, all going according to plan, we will arrive at Baltimore at the start of a rising tide. Nice!
And, as the Windguru forecast predicts it should be ultra calm as we pass Incheydoney (Inchydoney). And great sunshine as well. It is always very satisfying when the forecasts turn into reality...great comfort in knowing that the forecasts are so accurate!
And finally, a Windfinder forecast for Baltimore. Note that our ETA will be circa 13:00 when winds will rise. But still comfortable. And sunshine will be at its strongest. And wind and wave directions not a problem either. Looks like it will be a pleasant passage.
Before we head off Mary makes a quick trip to the local Gala and acquires the Sunday papers and some other essentials. We previously confirmed that a) the shop would be open at that hour of the morning and b) that they would have the requisite Sunday papers! All in the affirmative!
Circa 07:50 we slip our lines and depart Kinsale Yacht Club Marina. we really enjoyed our stay in Kinsale and the marina was so close to the town. A great spot...but a very busy marina!
07:52...Gorgeous sunshine beams down as we depart Kinsale.
A panorama of Kinsale Harbour as we depart. Note Castlepark Marina on extreme left of photo. Trident Hotel and Marina is slightly left of centre and Kinsale town on extreme right.
VIDEO: Click the image above and then activate the Play button on Media Player Toolbar at bottom left to play the video.
Press ESC or Close button ('X') at top right of video window to return to the PhotoJournal.
07:57...Leaving Kinsale in our wake.
07:57...Approaching the mouth of Kinsale Harbour. What a calm sea state. And such a glorious sky.
08:03...What a glorious sea state and sky.
08:13...Approaching The Old Head of Kinsale.
08:19..Still approaching The Old Head of Kinsale...
08:36...The Old Head of Kinsale.
08:42...Mary enjoying a nice cuppa...real, tea-leaf tea, of course!
VIDEO: Click the image above and then activate the Play button on Media Player Toolbar at bottom left to play the video.
Press ESC or Close button ('X') at top right of video window to return to the PhotoJournal.
08:56...Old Head of Kinsale in the background.
08:57...Old Head of Kinsale...a closer view!
08:57...Looking astern. What a sky!
VIDEO: Click the image above and then activate the Play button on Media Player Toolbar at bottom left to play the video.
Note Volume/Mute and FullScreen buttons on right of Media Player Toolbar.
Press ESC or Close button ('X') at top right of video window to return to the PhotoJournal.
09:49...Looking astern. Almost an hour since the previous photo! Old Head of Kinsale in the distance, on right of photo.
09:51...Lobster Pot markers. Eyes always peeled for them...
09:53...The Old Head of Kinsale...in the distance, slightly right of centre of photo.
09:59...Just over two hours since we departed Kinsale.
VIDEO: Click the image above and then activate the Play button on Media Player Toolbar at bottom left to play the video.
Note Volume/Mute and FullScreen buttons on right of Media Player Toolbar.
Press ESC or Close button ('X') at top right of video window to return to the PhotoJournal.
VIDEO: Click the image above and then activate the Play button on Media Player Toolbar at bottom left to play the video.
Note Volume/Mute and FullScreen buttons on right of Media Player Toolbar.
Press ESC or Close button ('X') at top right of video window to return to the PhotoJournal.
10:25...Sea is so calm! Two and a half hours since departing Kinsale.
10:36...Galley Head Lighthouse.
10:37...Galley Head Lighthouse.
10:44...Galley Head Lighthouse.
VIDEO: Click the image above and then activate the Play button on Media Player Toolbar at bottom left to play the video.
Note Volume/Mute and FullScreen buttons on right of Media Player Toolbar.
Press ESC or Close button ('X') at top right of video window to return to the PhotoJournal.
VIDEO: Click the image above and then activate the Play button on Media Player Toolbar at bottom left to play the video.
Note Volume/Mute and FullScreen buttons on right of Media Player Toolbar.
Press ESC or Close button ('X') at top right of video window to return to the PhotoJournal.
VIDEO: Click the image above and then activate the Play button on Media Player Toolbar at bottom left to play the video.
Note Volume/Mute and FullScreen buttons on right of Media Player Toolbar.
Press ESC or Close button ('X') at top right of video window to return to the PhotoJournal.
12:19...Entrance to Baltimore Harbour in the distance. Note spray on the bow as the wind rises, exactly in keeping with the forecast!
12:38...Entrance to Baltimore Harbour ahead. Wife's Lot beacon point clearly visible.
VIDEO: Click the image above and then activate the Play button on Media Player Toolbar at bottom left to play the video.
Note Volume/Mute and FullScreen buttons on right of Media Player Toolbar.
Press ESC or Close button ('X') at top right of video window to return to the PhotoJournal.
12:43...Mary gets the ropes ready as we approach the entrance to Baltimore Harbour!
14:30..."Arthur" on the hammerhead at Sherkin Island Marina. We decide to berth at Sherkin Island rather than Baltimore. Another tick on Paul's Bucket List. What Sherkin Island might lack in facilities (no shop/store!) it makes up for with the peace and quietness that pervades the island and the absolutely fabulous view from the local hostelry... Islander's Rest.
"Arthur" in her original berth on the hammerhead which was very exposed to wake from boats approaching or passing at speed.
14:10...After berthing we walk up to the ever popular 'Islander's Rest'.
Mary, enjoying a glass of Pinot Grigio at the 'Islander's Rest'.
14:10...The RNLI boat exits Baltimore Harbour to answer a call!
View of Baltimore Harbour from the 'Islander's Rest'. We missed out on the Open Crab Sandwich but enjoyed a lovely glass of Pinot Grigio and the breath-taking view!
Sherkin Island Marina as viewed from 'Islander's Rest'.
18:37...'Dusky Gull' rafts onto "Arthur" for the night and offers a bowl of fresh shrimp by way of thanks! It took some time to peel them but they were delicious.
19:38...Yes, it took almost an hour but finally they are all peeled... We ate them with a little Mayonnaise...and a glass, or two, of Sauvignon Blanc!
A happy looking Mary!
DAY 29 - Monday, 24th July, 2017
10:45...'Dusky Gull' and her crew untie their lines and pull away from "Arthur" to whom they were rafted overnight.