Is anyone actually reading this rubbish? Our daughter Ceri who is sunning herself in Singapore (although she claims she is working out there) reckons it reads more like the west coast of Scotland restaurant guide. Must do something about it then! As it happens I picked up a book from the swap box in the Marina yesterday that I have been looking for, for ages and it has inspired me to be a bit more creative in my ramblings. So there’s an idea then. Can anyone guess the title of the book? I will try and use various lines and anecdotes from the book over the next few weeks. You’ve got until Portugal to guess. First prize is a week on the boat with us. Second prize is two weeks.
On a serious note, is anyone reading this? If you are, can you post a comment at the bottom of this page to let me know there is a world out there.
It’s now Wednesday lunchtime and despite the sun and blue sky Global Cooling has definitely set in. Anyone who honestly believes this planet is heating up must be on magic mushrooms or some other sensory enhancer. It’s not exactly baltic here in southern Ireland but it is meant to be summer. We got into Kilmore Quay on Monday in the one day weather window that I had spotted. Sure enough Tuesday brought more wind and by evening was blowing a good F6-7. The forecast for the week ahead is F5-6 SW (the way we want to go) each day up until at least Sunday –so it’s a good job Kilmore Quay is a nice place to be. This however probably means we will miss Gordon in Crosshaven.
I can’t believe how expensive things are over here. For “things” read “alcohol”. Pam’s wine is typically 6-7 Euros in the pub and the beer in the supermarkets is a good 50% higher than home. Ok the pound has gone down against the Euro but not that much. Maybe it will get cheaper as we get further away from Dublin. Ireland is an expensive country.
We spent Tuesday afternoon fixing boat things – like varnishing the drinks cabinet. Found the local chandlery. I always thought Bosun’s locker in Port Edgar was the pinnacle of the art of extracting as much cash from poor retired yachties with the vast range of goods on offer but this place is the bees knees (do bees have knees?). Shackles to hold the QE2 and every type of pump imaginable. Bought some gel coat repair stuff and a fender blower upper and we’ll be back today to hand over another x% of my pension to them. I’m eying up a spare bilge pump and the gas bottle ran out.
Went for a drink with John and Sue on Ellan Vannin early evening. Left around half past seven into a biblical deluge – oh no…they didn’t have horizontal rain did they? – now I remember why we are heading to Portugal. Spent the night listening to the wind getting back up to warp speed again. At least I got the berth right with the wind blowing from the front so the cockpit is screened. All in all though Kilmore Quay is a nice place to be. I’ll try and describe the place in the next post.
Well, I've been reading it, and have enjoyed the descriptions.
Hope all goes well for the next legs.
Posted by: Mike from RoBo | 26/06/2008 at 08:03 PM
I'm enjoying reading it too although I wouldn't have know anything about it had Mike not mentioned it after I told him I'd seen you while crewing on another boat N. I was charmed to see that you gave such a complimentary(!!) description of N mooring in Craighouse- hmmm-I'll say nothing except that I was feeding the swans.By the way the ROBO crew are intrigued as to what the "fame" stands for in "ROBO fame". Maybe we don't want to know....Well done to you all. Best wishes.
Posted by: Bo Robertson | 26/06/2008 at 10:33 PM
Good to see you found it Bo. I do have a picture of you feeding the swans!
Posted by: Andy | 27/06/2008 at 12:53 PM
Hi Guys
I'm reading this!You don't know me but I know of you from someone you know - Neil (from Port Edgar)!
I've recently had the pleasure of sailing with Neil in our departments championship around the Solent and as I'm Welsh (I'm from Cardiff)he told me all about you. All good stuff, I promise!
So, there are at least 2 of us reading your updates, Neil and I are anxiously awaiting the next intallments!
Keep up the good work - and enjoy your trip (when you finally get going)!!
Mind you, I get the impression that the guiness will be sorely missed when you leave! Jane x
Posted by: Jane | 27/06/2008 at 07:19 PM
Hi Jane
thanks for reading the blog. Good to see there is interest. We bumped into another boat (figureatively that is) yesterday from Cardiff (actually Dinas Powis where we use to live) - small world. We will miss the Guinness but pam is looking forward to the Tapas! Andy
Posted by: andy | 28/06/2008 at 01:16 AM
I'm adequate account it too although I wouldn't accept apperceive annihilation about it had Mike not mentioned it afterwards I told him I'd apparent you while crewing on addition baiter N. I was charmed to see that you gave such a complimentary(!!) description of N ballast in Craighouse- hmmm-I'll say annihilation except that I was agriculture the swans.By the way the ROBO aggregation are absorbed as to what the "fame" stands for in "ROBO fame". Maybe we don't wish to know....Well done to you all. Best wishes.
Posted by: writing online | 25/01/2012 at 04:03 PM