An excerpt from an article published in the Bulletin:  So instead of un-rigging and trailing Calista, I went the other way. Well I didn’t plan to do that, nor did I plan to stay away for a month! Of course we knew that the long term forecast was grim, and that it might not really be worth going far at all! 23rd July Mooring to Dale Alex had a few days off work to join me for a couple of days sailing and we decided to try for Solva, a favourite destination for a calm weekend. The weather looked like it would settle at last as we motored down with the evening tide to anchor in Dale Roads for the night, ready for the trip through Jack Sound. 24th July Dale to Solva The weather on the day seemed just feasible with a Southerly wind forecast. We reached to Jack Sound, enduring some fairly large seas, in a Force 5/ 6, with a deep reef in both main and genoa. Our timing for Jack Sound allowed us to get through the tidal races at slack water and we were then able to run across St Brides bay at over 5 knots. Alex was delighted to see dolphins playing alongside, and we tried to take photos, but with limited success. Our arrival at Solva just before low tide was welcome, and we allowed Calista to dry in the entrance. As the tide made we were able to pick up a visitors’ mooring, and take the inflatable ashore. The harbourmaster phoned Peter Crane (A9 is moored here) for us and we met him and his family in the local for a much enjoyed reunion. 25th July Solva to Kilmore Quay The morning was wet and drizzly with little wind (typical Celtic weather), so we set off to at least have a look outside, on the basis that it is never as bad when you get out there as you think it will be! So we motored west towards Ramsey Sound with the bimini rigged as a spray hood, to keep us dry. There was no wind and we were making good progress so we just kept going, past the South Bishop Light, only to find that the mist lifted, the sky cleared, and a gentle SSW force 3 enabled us to reach at up to 4 knots across the first shipping lane. Once clear of the lane we stopped the engine, accepting the reduced speed for the silence. The breeze slackened a touch, so the motor went back on to pass the second shipping lane. During the crossing we were approached by three groups of dolphins (or porpoises – I never know the difference), and again great excitement and much messing with cameras without a great deal of success. Our first sight of Ireland was the wind farms at the SE corner of the Island. Alex was greatly thrilled by the sight of land, perhaps reassured to see a new country rising from the mist, just where and when it was meant to be! We aimed through the marked gap in the causeway inside the Saltee Islands and into Kilmore Quay harbour well before dusk. We both went ashore to sort out the paperwork and book a taxi to take Alex to the ferry back to Pembroke Dock at 0630 the next day. Then we went for a pint of Guinness and a wander, before returning aboard for food and bed. Alex left at 0630 by taxi to catch that ferry, and I spent the day catching up on work (as in earning money). 27th July Kilmore Quay to Dunmore East Kilmore Quay is a fairly expensive place to stay, although it provides a sheltered marina berth, with laundry and wireless internet. So I set off, sailing slowly west in an Easterly Force 2. Perfect spinnaker weather and most frustrating because I didn’t have the confidence to set it when single handed, although I kept trying to work out how I might try it. I left it in the locker in the end. Late afternoon I anchored off the beach at Dunmore East, clear of the moorings, as the Sunday afternoon locals were upping their anchors to go home for tea. The beach was still crowded so I settled for the cockpit and a book.  28th July Dunmore East to Dungarvan Of course cash in the local Euros was in short supply – all I had went on that taxi, so I was keen to find a cash machine. The dinghy was inflated, and I was ashore at 0800 to get cash and food. The local shop, open from early to late stocked everything I needed, and had a cash machine. I am usually keen to avoid this type of cash machine because they usually make a stiff charge for the privilege, but in Eire they all seem to be free of charge. Very welcome! By 0930 I was underway and motor sailing west into a rising swell, with little wind initially, but eventually force 4 from the SW. It started dry, but then drizzle set in, and then rain of a more solid nature. I don’t know whether my oilskins leaked, or whether it was condensation, but I was most uncomfortable by the time I started to make my way up the winding channel to Dungarvan Harbour, and anchored above the moorings. The next day was spent at anchor waiting for the weather to improve - low cloud continuous rain and strong westerlies. I spent another day working, and waiting for an improvement in the weather. During the second night at anchor the wind became very strong, and lying in the tide was uncomfortable with wind against incoming tide. By 0300 I was up and looking around – you know what it is like. I knew I wasn’t going to drag but couldn’t help checking. I used the GPS to set an alarm and warn me if we moved. Want to read more? Join the association and receive our annual Bulletin on a regular basis.
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