ETD 1000, CTS South, 70nm
The nght on the harbour wall was ok, mindful of being exposed to wind, heard skipper checking fenders.
Challenge for me was to be skipper for the day taking the yacht to Kilmore Quay to bag a Yachtmaster Offshore qualifying passage; it must be over 60 miles.
In passage planning I wanted to be off by 1000 for our 10 hours south. We'd be headed by the north flood tide for 4 hours to begin, then it would take us on and around the corner as the coast turns westward. Weather forecast was good, NW 3 or 4, a great day ahead!
But the first challenge was departing a wall with wind pinning us in over the bows. Springs and lines off in order, and the use of a pole to push, saw us clear and off. Put up the main in harbour shelter and off we set on a fine and clear day with showers.
Against the tide progress was 5kts over ground, but we managed to sail between the long sandbanks with wind farms and the lush green and yellow (with rape) coast. High headlands with long low bays harbouring ports and industries at river mouths.
Variable wind directions toyed with us, turning E with sea breeze in afternoon with prevailing showers still from W. Speed had increased but was now settling so we were all sailing along fine when an extraordinary gust broached us over. I leapt up from the chart table with this severe wind heeling us strongly; steerage turning to wind only to go about and repeat. Effort to de-power and reef in the sails, whilst making sure we had water beneath. All crew on hand by now and thereafter all was plain sailing again. Just goes to show... But it made me rerun to my cautious nature at the slightest hint if a squall later, reefer in ready when nothing happened. Well, as skipper Peter remind us: There are old sailors and there are bold sailors, but there are not many old bold sailors; just plenty of bauld ones!
Across the ferries entering Rosslare, the sun out, gannets displaying their diving techniques, roast chicken supper and we approached Kilmore Quay.
The beautiful Little Saltee and Great Saltee Islands lay south off the port, connected to shore by the 2 mile, and 2 metre at deepest, St.Patrick's Bridge. I'd told the Harbour Master our ETA would be 2000, so I was pleased when we dropped sails at the bar at that time when I hoped we'd have an extra couple of metres of water. Slowly approaching, we dropped to 4.6m and were through. A well marked transit took us the remaining mile to the harbour enjoying calm water and a setting sun; fantastic. I took us in to find an RNLI Lifeboat on the west hammerhead the HM told me to use, so we went to the East one, tied up and enjoyed this dynamic and attractive fishing harbour.
Peculiar feature here is a phone number which HM gave me ealier as an entry code. Couldn't fathom it out but someone was on their boat who explained how you dial it and the gate unlocks automatically!
On the outside, the bizarre thing seems to be the number is published on the gate! Still I guess a phone can mostly be identified.
I was grateful to the crew and Peter for allowing me to skipper them for the day; it was great.
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