Odyssey adventures

Saturday 27th June:

We've been in Crosshaven 10 days, will we ever leave? Since arriving:
- We've watched the fireworks after the traditional boat festival.
- Met all of Liam's family and friends. - Denise did all our washing.
- Made yogurt.
- Had one session of hypnosis for Liz to cure the sea sickness courtesy Fran.
- Enjoyed one free BBQ at the Royal Irish Yacht Club in aid of the Atlantic Youth Trust.
- Fitted eight new handrails, taking the advice of James.
- Fitted new shelving in the lazarette courtesy of Steve.
- Built new emergency hatch covers courtesy of Fran.
- Met Paul and Jane from New Zealand who we will keep in contact with and may meet on the way to the Canaries.
- Met the American boat just in from Norfolk, Virginia, via the Azores.

It's now 11pm and raining. We're trying to figure out if we'll make it to Dunmore East in a day sail and onwards to Wales now that we've decided to skip Arklow. Having an easy night tonight after the last hangover lasted till 3pm with the Sans Souci lot.

Monday 29th June:

We made it out of Crosshaven! 13nm up the river to Cork City for the night. Waved to Alan, with the Cork accent, on the river. Met Cal again who's given us 2 industrial sized sausages of Clonikilty black pudding. Had sushi twice today as it could be the last time for a while.

Tuesday 30th June:

Waiting for high water so we can make it down the river to Cobh. Doing some maintenance on the boat so Liz is scrubbing the decks and Liam's doing some painting. The guys next door, from Wales, are having a nap in their cockpit. The Dutch further down the pontoon are hanging out their washing.

We get our first ever visit from a custom's officer so have to dig out the passports from the grab bag and boat registration docs from the cupboard.

We have Knasher the dog jump on and hang around for a few hours, it seems he has lost his owner. He ends up getting taken by security to the pound, hopefully he has found home.

We leave the pontoon at around 4pm and motor down the river to the pontoon at Cobh, which is free (so long as you have a drink in the pub) and possibly the closest we'll ever tie up to a bar. Dinner and drinks with Nick and Georgina and then down the road for more drinks at Kelly's bar, which is full of American cadets from the big training ship that's in.

Wednesday 1st July:

We're still in Ireland as there is fog outside so we take the opportunity to have stroll around the town. Have a look at the American training ship, past the old Titanic museum and up the hill to the church and back down to meet Nick for lunch and Liam's old captain Mike.

And we're off. We're leaving Cork headed to Swansea after an afternoon nap having prepared a vat of mince in case we're too sea sick to cook anything.

Neither of us are hungry for dinner after our massive lunch so we start off our watch system for our first night. There is enough wind that we're doing 7 knots even with a reefed main and reefed in genoa. Liz throws up her Cajun chicken wrap over the windward side then tries to wash it off with tea that goes everywhere.

The autopilot decides to stop working at around 11:30pm so back to manual steering for the rest of the journey.

Off watch, getting some sleep on the leeward side in the lee cloth and we catch the edge of a squall and are thrown about a bit. Various bits are thrown off the windward side shelf where we haven't packed things away properly. Still, it is a clear night and the moon is bright.

Thursday 2nd July:

Our first full 24 hours at sea has passed which would've been even more relaxing had it not been for the need to manually steer.

The engine comes on as the wind dies down to keep up the speed. We're not going to make Swansea to be able to get in at high water so we're now considering either Milford Haven or Cardiff. We opt for Cardiff as the conditions are right to keep going.

It is a clear day and the sun is going down as the moon is in the sky. There are Dolphins everywhere as we approach the Welsh shore that stay with us jumping around for hours.

First glimpse of land. A cruise ship heading West turns on all his lights. It's nearly a full moon in the Bristol Channel.

Friday 3rd July:

We're approaching Cardiff. The Irish flag comes down the starboard spreader and the Welsh flag goes up. Lines and fenders everywhere. Into the outer harbour, into the first lock and tied up to the side as the gate closes behind us. Out the other side and straight into Penarth marina.

First proper shower in about 5 days since Crosshaven, luxury! Followed by home made Chinese food courtesy of Yeung and Rocky.