Ireland Circumnavigation Complete!!

After a good nights sleep, early to bed and refueled, 5am felt OK. Our camp had been well sheltered. We were prompt at  packing and clearing up. The first part of our journey was S with a cross/tail wind. When we could see the Sound between Howth and Ireland's Eye (small island) we turned for a downwind run. 

It was F5 gusting up to F7, so it was a sporting ride. I was keen to make the most of it and at the same time not over do it as I would need plenty of energy!

The back of the headland was well protected and birds drifted about in rafts. We snacked and I for one didn't want to think about the next headland. Rounding it would put us into a headwind!  Heading west from Drumleck was physicall the toughest part of the whole trip for me. No shelter and the full force of a hungry wind. We landed briefly in a spit of land to snack. We had seen a couple of ferries leave, and I kept a good eye on both directions as I crossed Dublin bay. 

One last run kind of downwind and we were back at the start, 6 hours from waking. Dez and Sonja from deep blue sea kayaking, we're waiting on the harbour wall, flashing their headlights and honking their horn. 

Coffee and a Whiskey welcome, then back to their house for a fry up and showers. Our ferry  back to North Wales leaves on Monday, so a couple of pints of the dark stuff tonight ...

It's been a magic journey, which could be called the hospitality tour of Ireland. I'm sure I will be back ...

Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Day 39 Ireland Circumnavigation

The Ards pinisular has been attractive. Low lying, but with many bays and attractive looking villages. This morning was also our 2nd otter sighting, just 100 mt from sea front houses. He lay on his back basking in the morning sunshine. 

We meet Will, a local paddler who was out to join us for the day. And he stayed with us until Kearney. We pretty much kept to the coast all day mainly due to the tide being against us and by the afternoon, we had a gentle headwind. Saw lots of Shelducks and Eiderducks with young. We struck lucky at St Johns Point, when Barry spotted a wall, close to the lighthouse + a natural slipway. Easy access to land and good camping space. We even met the lighthouse keeper who had been here for 33 years and he shared some of the history. 

We passed the most Easterly point today, Burr Point.

Tomorrow we cross Dundrum Bay to Annalong, where we meet Suzanna, a friend of Justine & Barry's, who we plan to stay with.

Sonja

www.coastalspirit.com

Day 35 Ireland Sat 15th June

It was a wet and cold start, one that I felt was the coldest so far. We covered 8nm to Ballycastle where John known as the Rathlin postman met us at the Quay and very kindly shuttled us back to his house. After hot showers and lunch we all felt so much better. Clothes are now being washed and we have a Chicken casserole for dinner, then shopping and an 8 day food re-stock.

Squalls chased us for the two hour paddle, with good caves, arches and waterfalls appearing. At Carrick-A-Rede we went under the rope bridge with some exciting and spicy waves pushing through.

I need a replacement tent pole (mine snapped earlier on but Ive done a temporary repair job on it but am concerned it won't last the journey) which Sonja has sent out which should arrive by 1pm on Monday, so weather dependent we will push on then. We have approximately 160nm to complete the loop.

Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Day 33 Ireland Circumnavigation

Up at 05.30 and it was our best pack out this trip in one hour and fifteen minutes (not that Im counting or anything!!!) We headed out to Fanad Head with a light NW wind on our side. It took us 4 hours to reach Malin Head. We could clearly see white caps so we aimed above the headland. It lived up to it's reputation with steep 3 metre waves. It was fun and exciting. We landed a mile or so after and had lunch. For the rest of the day we had a following wind with a smaller sea state. 32nm and camped at Ballymagaraghy. Winds are going South and stronger so hopefully we will be protected and if we choose to stay we are in walking distance to a few shops. We shall see what the morning brings!!

 Noel in the driving seat who very kindly drove the 5 of us 7 miles so that we could eat out, cheers Noel

Tuesday night on Gola

Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Day 29 Ireland 9th June 2013

Arrived at Glencolumbkille in the county of Donegal. A new county and 24nm. No wind until the last hour and yep it was a headwind! Super little grassy camp above a small sandy bay. Loads of Storm Petrels as we crossed the bay to Caraghan Head. Stunning cliffs greeted us and a small beach for lunch. A swim was in order, the second of our trip! Its also the third day where Ive worn just a thermal top, shorts and Crocs. Last forecast we got showed that the next couple of days are due to get windy, with the wind on our backs!

Enjoying a meal cooked by someone else...!


Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Day 22 Ireland

We set off with Jane and Andy who we met yesterday towards the cliffs of Moher. Winds were light and we made good time. The cliffs were stunning and sea birds were everywhere. Now to cross the south channel to the Arran Islands. It started to drizzle, the wind picked up and the cloud got lower. We landed on the first of the islands with a super sandy beach and it was clear the place was busy! However all came good when we found a chip shop and I had sausage and chips and two mugs of tea!
We then crossed the channel in fog and on a bearing. It was cold, the coldest Ive been. We heard the throb of an engine and we saw a fishing trailer making its way out of the gloom. Then another....four boats in total. We crossed in good time and found a small inlet with a reasonable grassy area to camp on. That is when Jane found that her front kayak hatch was full of water! It had seeped into all of her dry bags, bedding and her clothes were wringing wet! In search of a solution they then both walked to the road, found a house, asked if they could use the washing machine and asked if they had a duvet! They did and whilst they were waiting also had showers and a can of Guinness!!!


Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

19th day Ireland Circumnavigation

Noel of Irish Adventures finally got rid of us this morning! We were on the water for 9am and I was so happy that we'd had the last 2 days off! There was a 2 metre swell running with messy and reflected waves. It was fun and the wind was lighter than forecast, so good to be putting this section of coast behind us. We arrived at Fahamore, Co Kerry having paddled about 17 miles. Harold and Betty Whelan (Harry Whelans parents) picked us up from the slipway and took us to their caravan. A lovely lunch of smoked salmon and mugs of tea. (Harry and Geoff hold the record of 25 days!)

Were now off to a pub which we've been told has the best Guinness in Ireland! Ill let you know........!

 Starting off after a few days pause....

Taking a break before crossing the bay....

Sonja

www.coastalspirit.com

All in 1 day

Squally showers, but looking good.

All up at 0530 saw sonja walking out to get the bus, to cross Mull, catch a ferry + get a taxi ..the only problem was that at Loch Aline there was no taxi! Sonja had been talking with the bus driver and the ferry staff + Steve a fisherman, came to the rescue. By 1100 Sonja was back on the island :)
Meanwhile the offshore F2/3 had been gently building and the swell from the last 2 days provided exciting conditions at times, with confused seas (pictures are taken on my blackberry, so tending to be calmer).

Just over 3 hours saw us into probably the best public campsite in the world! Stunning emerald seas, golden sands, flat golf course grass and showers, at long last, oh and real toilets and all for £6!Tents up, shower and cleaned, Sonja soon arrived and we drove off to collect her kayak from the previous site, pleased in how smoothly it all came together.

With tomorrow's forecast of F4 gusting F5, we're going for a light boat day, working skills in The Sound and the bay, and then hopefully the next step is to Stafa and then on to Ulva, weather permitting!


Diane Lee

www.coastalspirit.com

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Discover sea kayaking wild camp - North Wales, Anglesey

Im just going to let the following photos tell the story of our Discover expedition paddling ... don't u just love it when the weather goes good & it all comes together ...

Super overnight, with lovely company, good skills, rained when in the tent and enough wind to give it an edge!

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