After all the excitement of getting to Ireland, it has been very quiet by comparison ever since. We had some time off in Kinsale and in Cork to celebrate Alex’s birthday. It’s the first time we’ve been to the cinema since a disappointing experience in Bracknell with The Two Towers! A 5 star verdict on Solo but the overall experience was probably enhanced by there being fewer than 10 other people at an unpopular matinee screening.
Not sure we made the most of Kinsale as the gourmet capital of Ireland, our experience being limited to take away fish and chips, an outstanding cream tea at Charles fort, a rather poor supermarket pizza and some quite nasty spiced sausage rolls.
The local supermarket chain we have decided is equivalent to Spar shopping at Waitrose prices. However, a great success so far is meals on the Mr D no-power slow cooker. It’s not quite no power: you have to fry / mix the ingredients and get everything on a rolling boil before transferring it all to an insulated jacket where it cooks away for the afternoon and emerges delicious. We had the first half of a herby chicken / bacon / vegetable casserole last night; the other half is in the fridge for tomorrow. It appeals greatly to Helen as it reduces the amount gas and effort per serving; also the amount of meat per serving as Alex doesn’t seem to mind vegetables / beans going in. She will claim this is all much more sustainable but it actually just appeals to her inherently stingy nature.
Otherwise, it has been pleasant temperatures and light breezes. Not much good for sailing, and we haven’t managed to make much progress up the coast. Some pretty coastline and lovely anchorages though; tonight we are in Ardmore Bay.
A new experience anchoring last night at Youghal: very poor holding. We have become somewhat nonchalant about anchoring on the east coast mud – you just drop it and it sticks. At Youghal when we reversed the boat to dig the anchor in, it just towed along the bottom. Repeat attempts no better. So we set the anchor alarm and turned in for dinner, knowing there would be no wind to speak of and hoping it was up to the significant current. We left the torch and all the clothes out, the instrument covers off and the engine battery switched on, all in the expectation of needing to make a quick get-away. Not conducive for a good night sleep, with the steady rumbling groan of the anchor chain. However, although woken by the alarm on the change of tide it was clear we were not going anywhere far, so back to sleep.
Not much sign of improving wind conditions so we are going for a strategy of getting up late, leaving after lunch, drifting for a few hours with the tide and putting the anchor down wherever we get to. This gave us time to watch the Panama game today, and we will explore the craggy cliffs by kayak tomorrow morning.
Ventata 