Wayhay - we've finally made it onto the south coast!!!!!!

Got round Carnsore Point with the tide, after 5am start, but too windy to continue, so sat in sun reading for the rest of the morning.  When wind had finally dropped sufficiently, the tide was against us for the rest of the day, which gave a few "interesting" moments.  Ended at Kilmore Quay fairly knackered, but pretty happy, especially as we found a good chippie "The Saltee Chipper".  Surprise, surprise, another fine day followed, and we headed to Fethard via the Keeragh Islands.  A leisurely lunch regaled with tales by Tommy Roach, an old local fisherman, then on to Churchtown, just north of Hook Head.

Cleared that this morning with a favourable tide, but the wind has built during the day,and we are once again off the water, and camping at Portally, near Dunmore East courtesy of Bridget and John.

Forceast for tomorrow has improved from earlier, so we may even manage four paddling days in a row!

Lost 10th again to weather, so wandered into Kilmuckeridge and found a rather nice cafe - The Healthy Hub.  Left the hospitality and helpfulness of the Morriscastle Strand campsite with a surf launching, then against the tide south.  We hoped to reach St Helen's Harbour , south of Rosslare, but building wind and surf north of Wexford Harbour forced us off the water.  It was in this bit that Pete demonstrated the ease with which a very full and heavy North Shore Polar can be rolled, after getting knocked over by an errant breaker.  Wendy's birthday celebrations were postponed due to general tiredness.  
A much better day on Saturday - glassy sea, no wind, sun (were we dreaming?).  Left our campsite and headed straight for Rosslare, then down to St Helen's, then on to Carne, about 3km north of Carnsore Point and the finally the end of the East Coast.  Although we were off the water at 4:30, we didn't find a campsite until about 7.  But when we did, we were joined by the leaders and young ladies of the St Catherines Brigin Company from Piercetown, who gave us some much appreciated food, and kept us entertained for an hour looking at out kit and asking lots of questions.  I'm sure one of which was " Have you ever been blown through a whale's spout?"
Today has been another day off the water, it started calm enough, sunny and warm, but just as the forecast predicted, the wind built steadily through the day from about 8 o'clock.  It's now gale force and raining.  The forecast is not good for tomorrow either.  We managed to celebrate Claire's birthday with a meal and our first Guinness of the trip.

now 20km north of Wexford.  Had a cracking day yesterday 38km, mostly with the tide.  Forecast is not promising today, with strong winds this afternoon, and fairly strong tides against us this morning. Gale forecast for tonight.  We have a run of about 20km of surf/dumping beach backed by dunes before Wexford so we look like staying put here.
Wendy and Claire sampled wonderful hospitality whilst topping up with water near The European Club (golf) near Mizen Head.  Went for water, but had tea and home baked cheesecake as well.
Wendy's NEW waterproof camera has packed up - so much for the Olympus TOUGH!

Cracking day yesterday.  Sunny and the tide and wind on our backs.  Round Wicklow Head with the best of the tide at 15kph.  Pulled out at half past five just south of Mizen Head.  Wind blew up to F8 during the night with torrential rain.  Woke up to 5ft dumping surf - not an attractive sight!  It's calmed down a bit and sunny by lunchtime today, but still not fit to paddle.  A rest day on day three seems a bit excessive, but it's a long game......

Got on the water at 14:00 at Sandy Cove, just south of Dun Laoghaire.  Wind on our backs all afternoon, but cold with it, although generally sunny.  We managed to carry the tide until half past 5, and eventually camped at half past  seven, having covered 23km.  A very long day - we were in Shropshire at 6:30 am!


Just sitting waiting for the tide to turn south before we get on the water.


The support and donations we have had so far have been terrific, and really boosted our spirits.

There are some photos of the boats going onto the van for the trip to Holyhead

Trial packing - Hopefully, when all this goes in, there'll still be room for me.

and it will still float.