2014.7 Kilmore Quay, Wexford, South Ireland

Kilmore harbour enterance was narrower than it looks in the picture. A small motor boat came out as we entered and there was just enough room !

Fishing boats at Kilmore Quay Harbour

sailing from Howth to Kilmore Quay

Arklow Bank wind turbines

On the Sunday we arrived at Kilmore Quay. There was a Blessing Ceremony in the Harbour and the Priest sprinkled holy water on each boat.

Alter boy carrying the Holy Water in a plastic drum and filling the sprinkler.

Escapade beeing blessed.

St.Patrick's bridge is a shallow ridge from the mainland to Saltee Islands. It was formed by a Glacier at the end of the ice age.

Walks around Kilmore Quay

We took a bus trip to Wexford one day.

2014.3 Port Ellen, Islay

 

I was delighted to see Port Ellen again on such a beautiful day. I remembered my first experience with holding a mooring buoy in dark  around midnight, when we arrived last time, almost three years ago. 

 

Lovely to walk on the beach in front of the town

This ship is delivering grain to the Island for malting as Islay is one of the biggest centers for Whisky production. It was interesting to have a view of some beginning procedures, coming from sea.

 

We stayed on Islay and had a chance to try out our new folding bikes which allowed us to see a bit more of the Island than we were here the last time.

Summer 2011 5. Sailing along the Norwegian coast

From Haugesund to south 
After Haugesund, we sailed along the Norwegian coast to reach a southeast location, before crossing Skagerrak to Denmark. 

So, we headed south and stopped at some anchorages on the way as the wind was against us during the first couple of days.

First anchorage

second anchorage

Sailing south and then east towards Lindesness

When northerly wind started we sailed off shore for the next 120 miles towards Lindesness and anchored and Kierkevagen ( Kirk bay ) to the east of Lindesness

Lindesness lighthouse

Kirk bay was a lovely anchorage to rest, we also enjoyed watching some local people taking their horses to swim in the bay.

Duck family enjoying nice weather at Kirk Bay

Continued sailing towards east coast and motored into a bay on Hille island when we lost the wind. 

Next day we sailed to Mandal , the most southerly town in Norway.

 

Two lovely wooden boats in Mandal marina

We enjoyed a couple of days in Mandal. A reliable free wireless internet at Mandal Guest marina was useful and a complimentary breakfast from marina delivered to boat as a surprise in the morning.

 Pine trees on the way to beach in Mandal

some Mandal houses

My first summer on Escapade ( Caledonian Canal )

Caledonian Canal

 I was excited about my first living on board experience. Although I have been sailing in the past and have lived on boats before , it was usually for a week or two and mainly for sailing holidays .

So, this would be my first experience to actually live on board as well as cruising for the whole summer. I must admit I was not sure if I could really do this. Well, let's see how it all went after all...

I arrived at Inverness on May 11^th 2010, after a long flight from Canada and Sean has already moored Escapade at Inverness Seaport Marina after sailing down from Orkney a week before my arrival. Our plan was to sail the West Coast of Scotland for the summer.

First of all, it was nice to be on Escapade again  ( I have seen Escapade for the first time at a boatyard in Plymouth in May 2009, where it was standing on a cradle for maintenance before launched again at sea. I will tell more about this later ). 

After a day of rest and some grocery shopping, we started sailing through Caledonian Canal, heading towards the west coast.

Caledonian Canal :  

Sailing through the canal was so beautiful ! ( my journal has been full of this statement ! whereever we have been sailing in Scotland this summer,  all were incredibly beautiful ! )

 

Handling the ropes and changing levels in the canal locks were interesting experiences :

 

Unfortunately, a swelling on my face along with a tooth ache started during the first days ! Sean had to start the engine and rushed along Loch Ness to get to a center to find a dentist. With the help of a lady in the canal tourist centre at Fort Augustus, we learned about a dental centre in Fort William. So, we ended up spending a couple of extra days in the Canal for my dental treatment. 

However, this gave us a chance to see Fort William and surroundings a little further.  

It was lovely to hear and see the steam train as in Harry Potter films :

Another nice surprise was to see the Canadian flag at Fort William Office building, where I learned about twin canals : Caledonian Canal in Scotland and Rideau Canal in Canada !