The midges are taking their case for enforced exile to Scotland to the Irish parliament. I think they have got it into their heads that the Irish are spinning their offshore windmills (of which there are thousands by the way) using cheap electricity to create this southwesterly blast.
The wind has moderated slightly today - just touching 20knts and a few hardy boats have left to motor sail down to Cork into what looks like a rough sea. Ellan Vannin left between 8 and 9 so should make it later this evening. Tomorrow is forecast to be slightly lower and again on Monday although with the wind swinging back to the south and increasing to F5-6. Monday therefore looks a good option to do a 12 hour sail to Cork.
Friday was a slow day. Bit of local shopping, chatted to John and Sue from Ellan Vannin in the afternoon and then went up to the pub for a drink in the evening. Pam is now well and truly hooked on Guinness. Also found the local fish shop and butchers both with really cheap prices.
Saturday morning was at least dry. Peter from the Marina office came over to ask us to move into another berth as the current berth owner may be due back tonight. He helped us with ropes and then transfer 80 Litres of diesel via cans. The level of service and friendliness you get here is streets ahead of what we are used to. Maybe Edinburgh Leisure could send some of their staff on a training week here!
While we were re-parking the boat, some of the crew of White Tiger, a First 44.7 that had taken part in the round the Ireland race, came to assist and we had a chat to them. They had done the race in 99 hours and 50 minutes - some satisfaction then. They got stuck on the first night with no wind for 5 hours - (don't believe a word of it!) - which cost them dearly overall. They then had 25-35knts all the way round. At least 3 different F8 gales over the 4 days. The official web site describes the race as normally 98% boredom and 2% terror. This year it was 2% boredom and 98% terror. The White Tiger guys agreed. They had flown a spinnaker for only 5 hours and over 2/3rds of the race was downwind. I would take my hat off to them if I had one on.
They had left Dun Laoghaire after the race and were heading home to Cork but forced to stop in Kilmore Quay to get fuel as they had to motor sail all the way. They had come in under "instruments" as last night it was very foggy and no way to see the leading lines. They had then got waylaid on Joanna Mary until 4am having a wee dram or 3 to calm their nerves. They then left around 1 ish this afternoon for Cork. I watched them crashing through some serious waves from the harbour masters office. Rather them than me.
Pam and I then caught the bus into Wexford to have a look around in dry conditions. Tonight there is live music advertised up in the pub. Probably an Elvis impersonator. We'll give it a whirl.
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