oceanfroggie
Well-Known Member
Part 3 - Lawrence Cove to Sherkin Island (Baltimore) – 35nm in 2hr50m (13:35-16:25)
Wednesday morning our dream of reaching Waterford in time for the Tall Ships race looked very much alive. We had left Killaloe on Lough Derg the previous Sunday. The next passage would be short at only 35 miles, so we decided to spend the morning exploring Bere island some more. We set off for Baltimore after having lunch in the cockpit watching the naval activity from a distance. The forecast was good and the two days chilling out seemed to have paid off as the sea state had dramatically improved. Once we rounded Mizen head we would be on the south coast with its shelter from the Atlantic swell and prevailing westerlies.
Once in Baltimore Waterford should only be a day’s cruise away. As usual I got up around 06:00, hopped on the folding bike and cycled around the cove to “our rock” which was the only spot we could get a mobile phone signal for the iPad. I checked the sea area forecast, downloaded the latest weather data using Weather4D iPad app. Then back to the boat to adjust the passage plan on laptop and download the routes into both GPS plotters (ie primary and backup).
As I sat on “our rock” downloading weather data, I observed the ribs ferrying personnel to the naval vessel in the sound. We were reluctant to leave this oasis of wonderful isolation, but the Tall Ships would not wait for us.
Another fruit and porridge breakie in the cockpit as we observed the naval ribs come and go past the marina. These guys were just fetching some fresh honey for us – har har!
Exiting Berehaven heading back out into Bantry Bay. It had become a little grey as we pottered out at displacement speed.
Kenmare and Bantry bays are two of the three great rias on the SW coast of Ireland. Whiddy island was the scene of a tragic disaster back in 1979 when the oil tanker Betelgeuse exploded killing 50 people. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betelgeuse_incident
Mizen Head - This CG station is now controlled remotely from Dublin. There is a very interesting visitor exhibition about the history of Irish light houses.
The Fastnet rock light house looked menacing despite the benign sea state. Unmanned for years now due automation and remote control, one wonders in the era of AIS and GPS how much longer such lights may continue to operate. Mind you on a night passage it is strangely reassuring as it flashes brightly and can be seen for many miles. It must of been a scary place to be in a typical F10-11 winter storm with waves breaking over the rock. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fastnet_Rock Every time I pass this remote desolate rock I cannot help but remember the 1979 disaster. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979_Fastnet_race )
Cape Clear Island with its disused old light house, replaced in 1854 by the Fastnet.
Sherkin Island ahead taking up much of the left of picture. You can just about see the white beacon “Lot's Wife” in the distance marking the entrance to Baltimore harbour. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherkin_Island
A happy girl enjoying the pleasant seas unlike previous Tuesday! We had slowed to displacement speeds as it was such a nice day, stuck on the auto pilot and pottered about the boat. There was no rush and the scenery too nice to rush past. I love displacement cruising, it is just so quiet and relaxing, moving about the boat with ease, having meals, having time to absorb the surroundings, talk, wonder, day dream, being alive inside ones very soul.
Entrance to Baltimore - Sherkin Island to the left
Baltimore is one of the south coasts real treasures. The local sailing club fleet out in force with youngsters enjoying the summer sailing camps.
Froggies wife spots Lot's wife up on the cliff top
The “Islander's Rest” hotel with its pub and restaurant on Sherkin Island. Boats staying in the anchorage use the pontoon to access the island and this excellent pub.
Baltimore in high summer is a hive of sailing activity and a lovely holiday village. Initially when we arrived we considered rafting up on the small floating jetty at the edge of the harbour, but it was such a nice evening and the forecast was so good, instead we decided to anchor off Sherkin Island. It was also more restful than the attractive but bustling village which was packed with holiday makers.
View from Baltimore across the harbour to Sherkin Island. See http://www.sherkinisland.ie
Ferry boats bring holiday makers and day trippers to Cape Clear and Sherkin Islands
We dropped the anchor off Sherkin Island and took to the tender. Time to explore and get some much needed provisions. Despite the sun it was a little chilly that evening. First we went ashore on the Island to check out the “Islander's Rest”, then back across the bay to wander the streets of Baltimore and get some shopping done. The atmosphere in the small town was positively cosmopolitan, it felt like we were abroad and very much in a happy holiday town. There were many visiting foreign yachts in the various anchorages.
The pontoon on Sherkin Island looking south out to sea. There is space for a few yachts or cruisers but the adjacent anchorage looked far too enticing. This pontoon is mainly used by tenders and small ferry craft.
Continues next post . . .
Wednesday morning our dream of reaching Waterford in time for the Tall Ships race looked very much alive. We had left Killaloe on Lough Derg the previous Sunday. The next passage would be short at only 35 miles, so we decided to spend the morning exploring Bere island some more. We set off for Baltimore after having lunch in the cockpit watching the naval activity from a distance. The forecast was good and the two days chilling out seemed to have paid off as the sea state had dramatically improved. Once we rounded Mizen head we would be on the south coast with its shelter from the Atlantic swell and prevailing westerlies.
Once in Baltimore Waterford should only be a day’s cruise away. As usual I got up around 06:00, hopped on the folding bike and cycled around the cove to “our rock” which was the only spot we could get a mobile phone signal for the iPad. I checked the sea area forecast, downloaded the latest weather data using Weather4D iPad app. Then back to the boat to adjust the passage plan on laptop and download the routes into both GPS plotters (ie primary and backup).
As I sat on “our rock” downloading weather data, I observed the ribs ferrying personnel to the naval vessel in the sound. We were reluctant to leave this oasis of wonderful isolation, but the Tall Ships would not wait for us.
Another fruit and porridge breakie in the cockpit as we observed the naval ribs come and go past the marina. These guys were just fetching some fresh honey for us – har har!
Exiting Berehaven heading back out into Bantry Bay. It had become a little grey as we pottered out at displacement speed.
Kenmare and Bantry bays are two of the three great rias on the SW coast of Ireland. Whiddy island was the scene of a tragic disaster back in 1979 when the oil tanker Betelgeuse exploded killing 50 people. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betelgeuse_incident
Mizen Head - This CG station is now controlled remotely from Dublin. There is a very interesting visitor exhibition about the history of Irish light houses.
The Fastnet rock light house looked menacing despite the benign sea state. Unmanned for years now due automation and remote control, one wonders in the era of AIS and GPS how much longer such lights may continue to operate. Mind you on a night passage it is strangely reassuring as it flashes brightly and can be seen for many miles. It must of been a scary place to be in a typical F10-11 winter storm with waves breaking over the rock. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fastnet_Rock Every time I pass this remote desolate rock I cannot help but remember the 1979 disaster. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979_Fastnet_race )
Cape Clear Island with its disused old light house, replaced in 1854 by the Fastnet.
Sherkin Island ahead taking up much of the left of picture. You can just about see the white beacon “Lot's Wife” in the distance marking the entrance to Baltimore harbour. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherkin_Island
A happy girl enjoying the pleasant seas unlike previous Tuesday! We had slowed to displacement speeds as it was such a nice day, stuck on the auto pilot and pottered about the boat. There was no rush and the scenery too nice to rush past. I love displacement cruising, it is just so quiet and relaxing, moving about the boat with ease, having meals, having time to absorb the surroundings, talk, wonder, day dream, being alive inside ones very soul.
Entrance to Baltimore - Sherkin Island to the left
Baltimore is one of the south coasts real treasures. The local sailing club fleet out in force with youngsters enjoying the summer sailing camps.
Froggies wife spots Lot's wife up on the cliff top
The “Islander's Rest” hotel with its pub and restaurant on Sherkin Island. Boats staying in the anchorage use the pontoon to access the island and this excellent pub.
Baltimore in high summer is a hive of sailing activity and a lovely holiday village. Initially when we arrived we considered rafting up on the small floating jetty at the edge of the harbour, but it was such a nice evening and the forecast was so good, instead we decided to anchor off Sherkin Island. It was also more restful than the attractive but bustling village which was packed with holiday makers.
View from Baltimore across the harbour to Sherkin Island. See http://www.sherkinisland.ie
Ferry boats bring holiday makers and day trippers to Cape Clear and Sherkin Islands
We dropped the anchor off Sherkin Island and took to the tender. Time to explore and get some much needed provisions. Despite the sun it was a little chilly that evening. First we went ashore on the Island to check out the “Islander's Rest”, then back across the bay to wander the streets of Baltimore and get some shopping done. The atmosphere in the small town was positively cosmopolitan, it felt like we were abroad and very much in a happy holiday town. There were many visiting foreign yachts in the various anchorages.
The pontoon on Sherkin Island looking south out to sea. There is space for a few yachts or cruisers but the adjacent anchorage looked far too enticing. This pontoon is mainly used by tenders and small ferry craft.
Continues next post . . .
