Wednesday 3rd September 2008 One interesting couple we met in Kinsale was American Steve and Linda Dashew on "Wind Horse" an 80 foot motor boat. Steve has designed and built about 50 or so luxury large sailing cruisers and "Wind Horse" is his design for a 'round the world' motor boat that two people can handle (see pics). It has unpainted aluminium hull with stabilisers and a very luxurious interior, range of 4,000 miles with a 15,000 litre...

Tuesday 26th August 2008 Can't believe how long it is since we updated the site, so will try to be as concise as possible. Decided to skip Yougal and go straight from Arklow to Kilmore Quay. We passed our South African friends in 'Freya' and took pictures of each other. A good run taking 9 hours, 0500 to 1400. Then early night after quick reccy of very pretty village. We spent a full week in Kilmore Quay while the weather really closed in, 35 knots SW just of...

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. ...

31st July 2008 Port Ellen to Ballycastle 16th July In Port Ellen we mucked about most of the morning and after provisioning decided that the weather was as good as it was going to get so we set off a day earlier than planned to Ballycastle in Northern Ireland.As soon as we let go we looked round and saw we were heading into an almighty squall.The six hour crossing was pretty uncomfortable, the sea state being confused mixed with a big swell of 3.5 to 4m waves f...

We are now sitting in Port Ellen, Islay waiting for better weather for our sail over to Ireland. Here is our latest report since Fort William. 16th July 2008 From Caleonian Canal we sailed to Oban, Kerrera marina (see picture), where we stayed a few days provisioning and sorting out stowage on the boat. We have now made a list of where things are and that should stop us asking each other where such and such is, turning out a complete locker and finding it...