Dungarvan-Kinsale-Crosshaven-Dungarvan (Sat-Monday 1st-3rd June 2024)
In the company of my 10 year old First Mate, Tomás, we slipped the lines at 9.30 in Dungarvan leaving on a rising tide. I had calculated that I would have enough water at 10am, and proved my calculations exactly right by getting stuck for 20 mins on the way out of the harbour as “Legend of Madoc” and “Serenity”, with their shallower draft sailed on out of the harbour. At exactly 10am, we floated free and we were off! The sun was shining and we had a nice light southerly breeze, between 5 and 10kn. In Ardmore Bay we tried the cruising chute, but then the wind changed and down it came until just beyond Ballycotton, where we tried again, with a similar result. Frustrations with the cruising chute aside we had a lovely sail making great time, but never quite catching Serenity and Legend of Mad, who were also using their iron sails!
Crossing Cork Harbour we were hailed by the Dutch tug Atlantis, which was towing LE Eithne to her final resting place in Ghent. He wanted to ensure we crossed behind them rather than between! We had an uneventful approach into Kinsale, saying “Hi” to Donal and Claire in Lady Belle, who were anchored off the Bulman Pub. Then we went into Castlepark Marina and rafted out. There was a great collection of Dungarvan boats, with Village Girl, Legend of Madoc, Whirlwind, Fairway and Sipadan and Salubrious at KYC. It just happened that there was a big party with DJ at the Dock Pub, though I am taking all the credit obviously! A great night was had by all.
The next morning we headed off for Crosshaven, in our case via Oysterhaven, where myself and Tomás did a bit of Stand Up Paddling and found a beach made up entirely of perfect skimming stones. We had some lunch and then off to Crossers, where we rafted outside Village girls and met the new arrivals who had motored up (cheating) in “Three Sisters”. We had a lovely sunset sitting outside over pizza and a few pints.
The next morning we were off at 8, aiming to get into Dungarvan at just after HW around 1600. The wind was ideal, NW 10-15kn, flat seas and a broad reach. We sailed in the company of Village Girl, Legend of Mad , Serenity, Fairway and Whirlwind.
All told, the Dungarvan boats that took part were: SIPADAN, VILLAGE GIRL, WHIRLWIND, LEGEND OF MADOC, SERENITY, SALUBRIOUS, FAIRWAY, WHIRLWIND, LADY BELLE, THREE SISTERS (10 Boats!)
