Froggie's cruise underway

[oceanfroggie]

Earlier in this thread I posted this photo of classic French yacht 'Morgengry' in Kinsale which has sailed much of the globe over the years. The skipper 'Pierre' kindly gave me a tour of the wonderful vessel which he had rounded Cape Horn aboard some years ago. Photo below of a page in his log book showing the Chilean customs stamp recording his passage. He explained to me that the customs officer was the only inhabitant of the small island at Cape Horn, and was glad of the company so they spent a few days there before sailing on. You meet the most interesting people on long distance cruise yachts. They were sailing back to Le Harve the day after this photo.

Thanks for the kind comments guys. Glad you are enjoying the ongoing photo blog.

 

[AndieMac]

The true long distance passage makers are fascinating individuals, the ones I've met seem generally quite humble about their achievements, especially the ones that venture way off the well travelled courses into the high latitudes.

 

[MapisM]

Blimey, how could I miss this fantastic thread so far?
Well, actually I know, in hindsight: it must be because you started it around the same time when I started my delivery trip.
And since then, I didn't browse the forum a lot, aside from some odd updates of my thread.
Apropos, you are much more productive than myself with your camera, some excellent pics indeed! :encouragement:

 

[oceanfroggie]

Blimey, how could I miss this fantastic thread so far?
Well, actually I know, in hindsight: it must be because you started it around the same time when I started my delivery trip.
And since then, I didn't browse the forum a lot, aside from some odd updates of my thread. . . .

Thanks MapisM. I'm very much enjoying your epic delivery thread too.

Anchorage off Sherkin as the sun slips away and the relentless sea breeze succumbs to the cooling night airs. All is calm, will sleep like a babe on the anchor tonight.

Always nice to have a photo of a southern Cardinal, not the Thornbird one you understand from Australia

Froggette insists on doing her early morning exercises as we depart and I politely suggest less exuberant hand gestures as the lifeboat is passing less they misunderstand and think we have run out of Tea!

Whitegate oil terminal in the distance across Cork harbour.

Looking forward to a meal in this pop-up Caribbean style restaurant floating in one of the local marinas. The gourmet chef is also the marina manager.

This lantern was a little present from some friends who visited for a day cruise off the Bullman.

. . . more anon.

 

[AndieMac]

Always nice to have a photo of a southern Cardinal, not the Thornbird one you understand from Australia

You're showing your age now Noel, a similar era to Howard's Way from memory.

 

[alt]

Hi N,
Just read through the thead; fair play for making great use of OF and getting her salty.

We're planning (hoping) to do a stint on the Shannon Aug / Sept, via West Coast / Shannon Estuary... your pics are tempting me to keep going South

Keep the pics coming!

 

[oceanfroggie]

Hi N, Just read through the thead; fair play for making great use of OF and getting her salty.

We're planning (hoping) to do a stint on the Shannon Aug / Sept, via West Coast / Shannon Estuary... your pics are tempting me to keep going South

Keep the pics coming!

Cheers Niall.

Spotted this nice Yacht "Stickleback" gentley aground at LW on the River Bandon in Kinsale earlier. Assume she will float off unharmed later. Looks like an anchoring glitch (i.e. dragged or not moored in enough water). It could happen to any of us.

Tonights planned anchorage assuming the shopping is delivered to the boat on time this evening.

 

[scubaman]

Thanks for the update again. Overnighting on anchor is fantastic fun. We've also spent the last couple of nights anchored after the hustle and bustle of a city marina. So much fun waking up and taking a morning swim.

What is the water temp there, btw?

 

[oceanfroggie]

Thanks for the update again. Overnighting on anchor is fantastic fun. We've also spent the last couple of nights anchored after the hustle and bustle of a city marina. So much fun waking up and taking a morning swim.

Agree It is possibly my favourite aspect of cruising - peace and quiet in scenic locations, with fab sunrises and sunsets unencumbered by urban structures

What is the water temp there, btw?

Don't know to be honest but it feels like low to mid 20s in the shallow coves. I don't do cold water but I am able to swim here at the moment without the wet suit.

We went for a cycle along the local 'Scilly Walkway'

An unexpected find with 'The Spaniard' gastro pub on route for lunch.

'The Spaniard' gastro 'Rugby' pub

Trip into town for provisions with the two folding bikes on board the tender.

 

[oceanfroggie]

A few balmy days having fun in the sun

Oysterhaven Anchorage - Family were learning to use paddle boards and this was an ideal place to explore with its caves and sheltered coves

Inflatable paddle boards were fab fun

Sandycove Island anchorage for BBQ lunch

Obligatory wake shot leaving Kinsale harbour

Returning to Kinsale last night

 

[oceanfroggie]

After two less than comfortable passages the day before from Kinsale to Lawrence cove in Bantry Bay via a lunch stop anchored in Baltimore harbour, we left Lawrence Cove marine on Bere Island at 05:50 bound for Dingle in order to beat the incoming weather due later in the day. Forecast was SW 3-4 increasing SW/S 4-5 or possibly 6 later. The SW coast of Ireland can be an unwelcoming cruising ground if the weather turns and turns on the Atlantic swell.

Depart Lawrence cove 05:50 all is calm and sheltered in here before the forecast winds arrive

Map of the 130nm we covered yesterday and the day before from Kinsale to Dingle

As anticipated we took a bit of a kicking going through the short tidal race between the islands and Dursey head. Its about 10 years since I experienced such large pyramid waves in rather violent confused sea, but thankfully Frogettee was asleep below under a duvet so wasn't frighted by the sight I witnessed. No photos unfortunately as I was not keen to pick up a camera. But it was short lived and the rest of the passage past the Skelligs and across Dingle bay was ok and in glorious sunshine. I'd been through here many times before but not quite like this. At least it was neaps otherwise I'd have gone 10 miles out.

This is an old picture from past trip of the area. I had the option to pilot through Dursey sound but it was unfamiliar, narrow and lots of hazards so I decided to though it through the tidal race between the head on the right and the Calf Island

All calm again after we left Dingle bay and entered Dingle's large natural harbour. Loads of 'Fungi' the famous dolphin boats whizzing around the harbour with tourists chasing the old man.

Dingle Marina looking back at the Kerry mountains.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

After two less than comfortable passages the day before from Kinsale to Lawrence cove in Bantry Bay via a lunch stop anchored in Baltimore harbour, we left Lawrence Cove marine on Bere Island at 05:50 bound for Dingle in order to beat the incoming weather due later in the day. Forecast was SW 3-4 increasing SW/S 4-5 or possibly 6 later. The SW coast of Ireland can be an unwelcoming cruising ground if the weather turns and turns on the Atlantic swell.

After all those weeks of un-Irish weather you've been enjoying you cannot complain! Keep the reports coming in as we're enjoying this

 

[Mike k]

Excellent Noel. Head up the street to Dick Macks for a pint and a belt repair!!

 

[oceanfroggie]

After all those weeks of un-Irish weather you've been enjoying you cannot complain! Keep the reports coming in as we're enjoying this

Storm bound here now in Dingle for a few days as the first Atlantic weather system for nearly six weeks is passing through.

Excellent Noel. Head up the street to Dick Macks for a pint and a belt repair!!

Wonder if they serve milk I can mend my braces myself

 

[oceanfroggie]

Some rather juicy and large jelly fish in the anchorages where we swam.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Some rather juicy and large jelly fish in the anchorages where we swam.

What type of jelly is it?

 

[pmagowan]

That is a compass jellyfish

 

[scubaman]

Pretty nice distances covered! Reading your fascinating description of the tides and atlantic swell, etc. really drives home the different challenges you face over there. It can be a properly harsh environment on a bad day no doubt. Here the absence of tide means one thing less to worry about, but endless number of submerged rocks gives an own unique flavour to boating.

The conditions here should be good for viewing the lunar eclipse tomorrow. Will try to take a pic of it to share.

 

[oceanfroggie]

Pretty nice distances covered! Reading your fascinating description of the tides and atlantic swell, etc. really drives home the different challenges you face over there. It can be a properly harsh environment on a bad day no doubt. Here the absence of tide means one thing less to worry about, but endless number of submerged rocks gives an own unique flavour to boating.

Cheers Scubaman. No tides to worry about at our home port on Lough Derg

Looking forward to your eclipse pic if it's a clear night.

 

[MapisM]

Looking forward to your eclipse pic if it's a clear night.

Down here it should be, according to forecast.
And I will be in a small island tomorrow, so hopefully with even clearer sky, fingers crossed...