At last a break in the weather to let us go. After a full week of strong southwesterlies, the forecast was showing only F4-5s on the nose today although increasing during the day. We made an early start and left at first light (which turned out to be just after 5am - yawn). The legacy of the strong winds though was a very deep chop in south westerly swell - bang on the nose. The tide was also against us so we were making less than 5 knots over ground. That coupled to the gale warning that then came on the radio made our minds up that Cork was not to be the target. Instead we headed off up the river Suir towards Waterford - 12 miles up river.
The wind then duly increased to 20knts, this time behind us to blow us up the river against 2 knts of adverse tide. We arrived on the Waterford pontoons around 11ish and rafted up next to Joanna Mary. Very interesting sail up river, given we were almost at low water and plenty of pilotage to do.
The shot above is the small village of Passage East on the west side of the river half way up. Seems to be the in thing these days to paint your house in pastel colours. Below is the ferry that plys itself back and forth between Passage East at the other side. The pilot book warns not to sail in front of the ferry. It's not that easy the speed it finishes loading a car and then takes off!
Waterford is an interesting little place. It took ages to find the keys to get in and out of the marina - finally found them in the City hall office (the Tower hotel is no longer doing them). Likely to be here at least two nights while the next depression blows itself out but Thursday / Friday aren't looking too bad. Not too sure however how safe it is going to be here. If the notices on the gate are anything to go by then the pontoon is in serious risk of collapsing. Surely the don't mean only 30 people can be on the pontoon at any one time?
Looking at the internet, we see Erin was leading this years North Sea race as the first boat round Sleipner A platform - with a photo showing the spinnaker up. Best of luck John.
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