CLYDE TO BRITTANY
Fabulous sailing Andy is a resourceful fellow
conditions on
and a quick jump to the ferry
the way to
terminal on the south side of
Ardglass.
Milford Haven soon had him
PHOTOS GORDON BUCHANAN
on passage for Ireland. A bus
ride from Rosslare to Arklow
resulted in a reunion before
the pubs shut, so the demand
that I buy him a pint or so of
Guinness did not really seem
unreasonable.
Duly fortified, the next
morning dawned with a
slightly better forecast, so
course was set for Wales once
more. The strong wind still
The historic castle at
Carrickfergus towers
meant that we were beating,
over the harbour area.
but with two reefs in the main
and the genoa rolled down to
number three size, we were
quite comfortable and making
good progress.
The motion was violent
enough to ensure that catering
was decidedly basic and severe
enough to deter all but the
stoutest of stomachs anyway.
TURN OF THE TIDE
Beating into a sea is never
I went into the harbour and particularly fast for small
tied alongside the workboat yachts, so it was late evening
used to service the Arklow by the time we sighted St
broad reach all the way to wind farm. Much easier when David’s Head on the Welsh
Howth, just outside Dublin. sailing solo and cheaper coast. Although the tide had
Coldish, but with a good F4 too. The intended itinerary been with us most of the
blowing and the tide mostly included a visit to Seafair 2008 way, it now turned against us
in the right direction, the 50- at Milford Haven and the trip with a vengeance. Suffice to
odd miles were completed by from Arklow to Wales the next say that the passage through
early afternoon. I was really day would have got me there The Smalls was slow and
quite sorry to stop. A day spent at the right time to join in the frustrating. Adding insult,
exploring Howth soon showed fun. It would also have meant darkness also brought rain,
the speed of developments that my intended rendezvous which reduced visibility as
since I last visited some 10 with Andy, long time friend well. The entrance to Milford
years previously. The taxi and sailing companion, would Haven is well marked, as
ride to the airport was a real have been achieved without a would be expected with such
revelation when the driver hitch. However, as is the way a busy oil terminal, but at
explained the realities of house of sailing in small boats, when night in poor visibility, the
prices in S Ireland. Until he I left Arklow in the morning in myriad shore lights made
started explaining the changes, spite of a marginal forecast, I identifying the channel
I hadn’t realised that I was soon found that the promised somewhat stressful. In view of
sitting beside a millionaire. southerly was nearer to a that, we eased into the nearest
A hectic day and a half at southeaster and right on the anchorage at Dale and dropped
home saw me back on the nose. It was also blowing a the anchor just after two in the
plane to Dublin and a return to good 28-30kn, so the thought morning, then retired below
sailing. My next planned stop of almost a hundred or so for a well earned dram. No
was at Arklow and a superb Above top: The quaintly miles solo, with a strange port other boats were visible, but
sail in sunshine and a gentle
named Ireland’s Eye, just
at the end of it and probably the following morning bright
breeze made me feel quite at
North of Dublin Bay.
at night, meant that prudence sunshine greeted us along with
ease with my small world. The
Middle: Arklow’s River Avoca
and the entrance to the very
dictated a return to Arklow. a fine display of both moored
marina at Arklow is located
small marina. Berthing is
The afternoon phone call and underway yachts.
just opposite the harbour, a also available in the harbour from Andy asking the number Although too late for the
few hundred metres into the
opposite the marina.
of my berth produced the beginning of Seafair 2008, we
River Avoca, but is hampered
Bottom: The sheltered
expected muttering when I were able to join the fleet as
anchorage and moorings in
by a distinct lack of turning
Dale Bay at the Western end
advised him that the boat’s we sailed to Lawrenny, where
space, particularly at busy of Milford Haven. berth was still on the other side the local sailing club treated
times. Instead of the marina, of the Irish Sea. Fortunately, us most generously. The >>
July 09 Sailing Today 81
ST147
ClydetoBrestRTG.indd 103 14/5/09 13:09:39
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