Monday 11th August 2008

Malahide (near Dublin) - Wednesday 30th July

This must be the hanging basket capital of the world! A riot of colour on the streets and a sense of prosperity all around.We have found everything in S. Ireland to be outrageously expensive, from food to clothing and housing.They really are feeling the pinch here and are very angy with the current government. Strange they have given up their punt but hang onto their pint! Says it all really.

Have survived what will probably be the scariest experience of the whole trip - a day in Temple Bar.Had to make a statement to the Guarda having witnessed a fight between bouncers and customers.

Met a crazy bunch of girls from Somerset on a 21st birthday trip.All wearing T-shirts bearing legends 'Little Miss ……' (see photo).

Discovered they have a bath in the marina so armed with bleach (for the bath not me) set off for much desired soak. A bit spoiled though by imagining who may have been in there before me. However bits all seen to.

Arklow - Monday 4th August

Today we had a long 8 hour motor to Arklow in Co. Wicklow. The wind just died completely. I would not recommend Arklow to anyone.The marina, proper, has no through sluicing so all the muck that floats in just stays there.Rats were reported! We moored outside on pontoons in the river, rafted up first night.

Forget Hydrovanes and Duo-Gens and all the other expensive toys on the boat. The most talked about and photographed piece of equipment we have is the £15 'sputnik' barbeque fitted at the pushpit. Everyone wants one.Gordon has now managed to hammer out the dent I put in it at Malahide - don't ask!

Owl man is here too.

Saw a wedding in the town today.I suspect they were 'travellers' to use the pc title.Bride and bridesmaid in meringue dresses a mile wide, male guests in new tracksuits and female guests in very little at all. Stretched limos the length of the street and Guarda in attendance before the reception!

Thursday 7th August- Day 50 of the trip and it has rained for 45 of them! Have to be up at 3.30am to catch the tide for Kilmore Quay, so night night all.