On the anchor tonight

oceanfroggie

oceanfroggie

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www.derg.ie
Anchored on southern Lough Derg tonight in the lee of the Clare hills
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Moon shines bright tonight
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What a beautiful planet we inhabit
 
Brilliant photos OF!
What are the three 'little' sailboats moored near to the jetty? Am wondering if they are a class unique to the Shannon perhaps?

Matm, re spending a night at anchor, go on and 'just do it', and you wont regret it. I was brought up on boats where we always spent nights at anchor, and the occasional visit to a marina during a sailing holiday was a rare treat - but we definitely wouldn't have wanted to be in a marina every night.

There are various places around the Solent (and Poole Harbour) where you can spend a night at anchor safely, especially in settled weather. And you can be smug knowing that you have saved the mooring / marina fees that can pay for (with change left over) everything needed for dinner on board, including some very nice wine. :)
 
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Nice pics OF!

We spent last night on anchor too and admired the moon and the starlit sky. Woke up to a beautiful morning. +1 on the beautiful planet.

By the looks of it, you had a very calm night too.
 
Bajansailor said:
Brilliant photos OF!
What are the three 'little' sailboats moored near to the jetty? Am wondering if they are a class unique to the Shannon perhaps?

Matm, re spending a night at anchor, go on and 'just do it', and you wont regret it. I was brought up on boats where we always spent nights at anchor, and the occasional visit to a marina during a sailing holiday was a rare treat - but we definitely wouldn't have wanted to be in a marina every night.

There are various places around the Solent (and Poole Harbour) where you can spend a night at anchor safely, especially in settled weather. And you can be smug knowing that you have saved the mooring / marina fees that can pay for (with change left over) everything needed for dinner on board, including some very nice wine. :)
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Agree it's a JDI thing but not sure SWMBO would agree! I'm concerned after a bottle of vino collapso, we'd wake up mid-channel. Maybe it's an excuse to buy some technology to install in the cabin so I can monitor our position overnight :)
 
matm said:
Agree it's a JDI thing but not sure SWMBO would agree! I'm concerned after a bottle of vino collapso, we'd wake up mid-channel. Maybe it's an excuse to buy some technology to install in the cabin so I can monitor our position overnight :)
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The first night you'll wake up often, wondering if you are still in the same place, get out of bed and check the shoreline, GPS or radar (if you have a genset running), but after that you'll be fine.

Just check your weather closely for changes that may occur during the night and plan to be in the best possible location to avoid having to relocate.

As long as the ground tackle is doing it's job, you're going nowhere.

Do it, it's a great experience!
 
Bajansailor,
Those sailing dinghies are traditional dutch dinghies used by sea scouts. I used to work with a guy who was involved with them. The only real local class of sailing dinghy on the Shannon is the Shannon One Design or SOD. Lovely clinker built 3 man dinghies.
 
Lovely place and pics, thanks for sharing them with us.
Re. bright moon, I actually like it better for cruising, particularly if the route is approximately pointing towards it, granting a great visibility also at night.
While anchored, I prefer clear nights with no moon, 'cause they are the best for viewing the stars! :)
 
Thanks guys. We are blessed to enjoy anchoring out whenever the conditions permit. It's no problem if we have the dogs with us, just a tender run ashore last thing at night and first thing in the morning.

Prepare the dinghy. Night time walkies for our two little dogs before retiring for the night. (poor smartphone pic)
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Returning to anchored boat after early morning 'walkies' with the dogs.
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I want my breakfast :)
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Frogettee is in charge of tender operations
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14 years ago Frogettee was none too keen on anchoring out overnight but we slowly built confidence by picking the right conditions and very sheltered anchorages. Now she has confidence in the ground tackle and the anchor drag alarm even in a stiff breeze. Test the hook is properly dug in and use plenty of chain for a carefree night under the cosmic canopy of stars or moonlight.

Yes agree the star speckled cosmos is much prettier on a moonless night. It is amazing how much ambient light and reflection there is off water at night, especially if there is no cloud.
 
OF we've decided that if we still have a boat next year we're coming to the Shannon... lock away your daughters! :D
 
alt said:
OF we've decided that if we still have a boat next year we're coming to the Shannon... lock away your daughters! :D
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Oh no, there goes the neighbourhood....or should I say River! Empty Buckfast bottles littering the green in Dromineer :p
But honestly, look forward to seeing you on Derg Niall, so hold on to that boat. :)

Mick
 
Shannoner said:
Oh no, there goes the neighbourhood....or should I say River! Empty Buckfast bottles littering the green in Dromineer :p
But honestly, look forward to seeing you on Derg Niall, so hold on to that boat. :)

Mick
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We've decided that if we still have her, launch in Galway Docks mid April and make our way up the estuary to Killalloe for end April / start May. Have boat back on Corrib by mid-June.... just explore the Shannon and then back home :) I know it's a little early in the season but hopefully you Shannon guys start early; a big reason we're going in the first place is to spend some time cruising with friends / socalising

I'll be sure to keep the green Buckfast bottles as navigation aids :D :D
 
oceanfroggie said:
It's no problem if we have the dogs with us, just a tender run ashore last thing at night and first thing in the morning
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A couple of pampered little Spaniels there Noel :)

I always get the late night/early morning shore duty, especially if the wind gets up, it starts raining or heavy dew on the dinghy in the early morning.
It looks like your pups enjoy the dinghy as much as ours does.
 
AndieMac said:
A couple of pampered little Spaniels there Noel :)

I always get the late night/early morning shore duty, especially if the wind gets up, it starts raining or heavy dew on the dinghy in the early morning.
It looks like your pups enjoy the dinghy as much as ours does.
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Hi Andie. Yes I too usually get the early morning 'tender walkie' duty despite Frogettee's regular promises to do so, especially if it's damp. :) Alas what we do for our 'soul mate' swmbo's.

The dogs are a pair of Cavalier King Charles, small, clean and tidy on board, dont yap and they sleep in the cockpit. They love coming to the boat and like their trips in the tender to some remote shore line or island. We bring them down to the boat about 30% of the time, otherwise they stay at home with family.
 
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