Sailing Trip Round Ireland, Leg 4: Kilmore Quay -> Kinsale
May be they were the best Fish n’ Chips
It was still daylight, we had just had a fundamental lesson on tying the ‘ropes’ for a boat and starting our next leg, with the expectation of heading for Kinsale, a famous beautiful village in Cork!
This would be for many of us, our first venture on the southern Coast of Ireland, officially called the Celtic Sea and also known as ‘The Copper Coast’. The Copper Coast may be one of the most desirable sailing and cruising coastlines in the world. But to me, it was the entrance to the Atlantic Ocean and didn’t really know whether our best or our worst leg of the trip was ahead of us or not but the weather was beautiful and lending our mindsets towards an enjoyable tour ahead.
Which head sail?
Headsails were now becoming much more interesting. Everything from a Jib, a Genoa, a Code Zero and ‘Big Blue’ Lynx’s Spinnaker took advantage of the beam and broach reach winds we were experiencing, were allowing us fantastic sailing and on occasion gliding on our way.
What a Wonderful World!
‘Big Blue’ was magical. It felt like a big parachute carrying us southwest with elegant power towards our next destination. And we were starting to become sailors in our own right. The confidence started to shine as we each took the helm.
Confidence shines through on peoples’ faces and in their smiles. We were really ‘sailing’. We had become more cohesive as a team and we were also simply enjoying ourselves.
Navigation Learning
As we did all of this we were continuously taking the ships log, with the COG, SOG, Wind, Distance and our own observations in case we needed to take an EP (Estimated Position) or we were simply requested to do so by the Skipper. If all electrics went, we could simply fall on the paper chart backup as in times of old.
Night-time Vessels
Our watches at night, and keeping an eye our for lobster pots and bigger became a way of being. We were also now passing Cork, a major shipping harbour in Ireland so we expected big if not large ships to going in and out from that harbour as we might pass.
A blip on a chart always needs to be investigated. The big boys were often traveling at up to 22 knots and it would be on us to avoid being in the path.
We saw a large vessel on the chart and honestly it looked like it was directly on our course towards Kinsale but a mile wide. Wind was southerly so the best advise is to stay, where possible leeward, of big objects, islands, massive boats etc. It took quite a bit of manoeuvring to stay leeward or north of the vessel which just kept looking bigger and bigger as we approached. We were attempting to only sail were possible but would bring on the motor if required. It was the first massive obstacle that we had encountered at night. It took extra time but we managed to stay clear and then continue onward!
Chow time
Thank God for Frank, our Master Victualler. He was always well prepared and added something for us to look forward to every mealtime. This bowl of pasta below was so tasty for so many reasons! We had 8 days of onboard more than survival but thriving at mealtime. I only hope that if you take the journey you are so lucky to have someone like Frank aboard!
Entering Kinsale
This Leg from Kilmore Quay to Kinsale had lighten us up. The working as a team was coming together better and better.
We entered Kinsale and Tim was about to head back after wee holiday in this beautiful village.
What a journey, this is what we had all come for! And now we were stepping into the mighty County of Cork!
One Step maybe too far!
The Master Victualler, Frank, who stabilised our well-being on board by keeping us fed and watered was an eager young man. An eager young learner.
As we were lining up for the mooring on the pontoon, the right guys were in the right places to hop off and fasten the lines. Frank was ready, so ready in fact that he gave himself a little too much momentum towards the pontoon. He landed with speed and then found himself rolling forward as if to go off the other side of the pontoon. But fortunately, there was a boat on the other side and it halted his momentum. Whack!
And then up he got as if nothing happened to fasten the line to the cleat of the pontoon! WOW!
Frank had reacted as if no-one had seen his action and everything was prefect but then he noticed, the grins all round and the game was up!
One of the memorable stories of journey was just created! 😊
All in sight had imagined Frank rolling, and without the presence of that boat, to roll right into the water off the side of the pontoon! A very close call for the first potential man-in-the-water involuntarily. But it didn’t happen. Frank and the rest of us bounced on!
Next Sailing Trip Round Ireland Stop 4— Kinsale
