Arthur's Coastal Cruise 2017 - Part 5

DAY 37 - Tuesday, 1st August, 2017

Well...the coming week does not look attractive for cruising purposes. The problem with this kind of scenario is that if you don't take the opportunity that is presented, even if it is not ideal, you may get stuck for a lengthy period. We have been in Lawrence Cove for the past week. It looks like if we don't go today then we could be weather bound in Lawrence Cove for four or five days! And of course there is no guarantee that the forecast will hold (or even get better!) in the next five days. It could get worse!

So, are there any positives re the forecast for today? Yes... winds are perhaps a little higher than we have been experiencing in all of our previous passages on this trip so far, BUT the early part of the day is not bad. And, the wind and wave directions are not conflicting. If we can match the tides then it should be okay. In this instance a rising tide on Bantry Bay should have wind and wave in the same direction. Unfortunately we will have an ebb tide as we cruise up Dingle Bay towards Dingle. Passage length is approx. 51NM which will takes us circa 7-8hrs to complete. High water at Dingle is scheduled for approx. 12:00. High water at Bantry Bay (Black Ball Harbour) should also occur at approx. 12:00. Our passage plan will take us through Dursey Sound rather than going round Dursey Head. So, if we depart circa 06.15 we get the first two hours of the rising tide on Bantry Bay, with wind and wave in sync with the tide. Unfortunately we may have conflicting tide and wind as we cruise up Dingle Bay. Okay, so we can't have everything on this passage! But it looks like it should be just fine!

05:49...Overcast sky with dark clouds. But water looks calm. I wonder what it will be like on Bantry Bay.

circa 06:15... we have departed Lawrence Cove Marina. Liam of 'Maggie' was up to see us off. You can see him on his yacht in this photo.

06:21...heading for Berehaven and west entrance onto Bantry Bay.

06:51...Approaching the west entrance to Bantry Bay.

07:15...On Bantry Bay and heading towards Dursey Sound. Depth sounder showing a depth of 172ft... Don't think about it!

08:31...just over two hours since we departed Lawrence Cove and we are in Dursey Sound. Sea relatively calm.

08:33...Transiting Dursey Sound. A small fishing vessel coming towards us.

08:35...Exiting Dursey Sound. Kenmare River on right. It seems like eons ago since we visited Sneem!

09:11... winds have picked up a little but still as per forecast. Windex confirms the westerly direction. We are experiencing a little rolling. Valentia Island in the distance.

09:11... winds have picked up a little but still as per forecast. Skellig Islands on extreme left.

09:58...Skellig Islands.

10:49...Bray Head and Valentia Island ahead.

10:55... Blasket Island in distance.

11:30...I seem to have an obsession with water depth this morning! Ok, Paul...just think of something else.

Chartplotter showing our current route. Note our speed of 7.5kt. Also, projected ETA of 13:35.

11:33...On Dingle Bay. Have arrived at this point a little earlier than expected. Rising tide still running...just!

12:03...Looking astern at Valentia Island with Skellig Islands in the distance.

13:00...Approaching the entrance to Dingle Harbour. Have called ahead and requested a berth.

13:11...entering Dingle Harbour. Must be alert to Funghi/Dolphin Finder Boats! They can be quite ruthless in their pursuit of Dingle's long-time resident dolphin!

13:19...Mary attends to the ropes as I prepare to negotiate the posse of Dolphin Finder Boats.

13:19...Threading our way through the posse of Dolphin Finder Boats.

13:22...Dingle Harbour and Dingle Marina ahead. Passage time was approximately seven hours. Using Dursey Sound rather than going around Dursey Head does seem to reduce overall passage time.

"Arthur" in her berth at Dingle Marina. This is a super marina. Almost in the middle of the town. Great facilities, both in the marina and the town!

17:17...Shortly after our arrival in Dingle we have surprise visitors...former IWAI Cruising Club members Grainne Nolan and Louis Rice.

DAY 39 - Thursday, 3rd August, 2017

Mary S visits us in Dingle and together with Noel Fitzgibbon ('Deanta') we visit the Half-Door for dinner. Fabulous restaurant...seafood a speciality. And this is Noel's favourite restaurant in Dingle. And let me tell you, just in case you didn't already know, there is no shortage of FINE restaurants in Dingle.

Noel with Mary x2 outside The Half Door.

Me and the missus with Noel.

DAY 44 - Tuesday, 8th August, 2017

19:39...P 41 otherwise known as L.E. Orla arrives in Dingle. See link hereunder for detailed information about this Irish Navy Coastal Patrol Vessel. Formerly HMS Swift of the British Navy she was purchased by the Irish Navy in 1988. A sister vessel, L.E. Ciara, also patrols Irish coastal waters.

http://www.military.ie/en/naval-service/fleet/coastal-patrol-vessel/le-orla-p-41/

DAY 45 - Wednesday, 9th August, 2017

16:35...the in-laws visit! Twins, Bernie and Sally (my wife's sisters), with spouses Eugene and Dave pay a visit to "Arthur". Dave & Sally have a house near Tralee. Bernie & Eugene live in Killeigh.

16:35...(L to R) Bernie, Sally, Mary, Paul, Eugene. And Dave is behind the camera!

19:15...Crew of "Arthur" are entertained by Noel in his second favourite restaurant in Dingle... 'Ashe's'.

Another fabulous seafood dinner!

Noel Fitzgibbon ('Deanta') who's 52ft, custom built cruiser is usually berthed on the main pontoon at Dingle Marina if he's not out at sea!

Enjoying nice food and wine with Noel on the occasion of our last night in Dingle for 2017

A nightcap before we return to "Arthur" to do some last minute prep in anticipation of our departure in the morning.

DAY 46 - Thursday, 10th August, 2017

So, we are about to undertake our longest passage...Dingle - Kilrush. Above is the Windguru forecast for Smerwick. Note the window EARLY in the morning. This passage, 61NM, usually takes us approx. 8 hours to complete. It is a long passage and there are several spots that can sometimes be challenging. Apart from The Blasket Sound which can often be lumpy (or worse!) there is Smerwick. Swell/waves can roll in from the Atlatntic catching you on the broaside. Tide and wind direction are significant factors that should be considered when planning this passage.

Another reference point that I always use for this particular passage is Brandon Bay. See below for Windguru forecast for Brandon Bay.

Note that the window in both forecasts is similar...and tight. Wave height is fine. And wind and wave direction is also okay.