We arrived in Ireland on the 1st of May 2013. got to the boat on the 2nd. found that some of the jobs hadn't been finished yet. Par for the course with boat yards etc. Miserable wet weather anyway so not too upset. left the cover on and went car travelling and visiting. 1/2 days working on the boat. travelled to cork to visit friend David Browne and due some purchasing in the Chandlery. New solenoid for the new Gas cooker!
Finally on May 23/13 Kalinka1 was launched and we were underway on the 25th.
0600 off the pontoon and downstream on the Barrow river with the tide making at one point 7.8 knots Whoopee. Arrived in Kilmore Quay picked up last years finger. The next day we left for Arklow with a favourable wind 0 knots so a Motorboat ride! Off Tusker rock noticed that one of the cooling hoses had chafed through! Not so whoopie as no wind and tidal currents can be a female dog.Managed to fix it with magic tape, got into Arklow weathered in!! Found some new hose fueled up and headed off to Howth on the 28th. Engine overheating??? Auto Pilot malfunction!! No wind No fun!!!! Arrived in Howth got checked in went for a Guiness.
The next day found out Water pump seal had given up the ghost after a bunch of years. Got hold of a mechanic who ordered one from the UK It was shipped and arrived the next day but the wrong one!!!! Reordered and we went off by Ferry and rental car to Lulworth cove with an overnight stay in Bath.for a wedding. Great time had. Returned via The above to find the pump had not been delivered yet. Not happy so another Guiness.
Finally on June 06/13 We were really underway for Northern Ireland Scotland and Norway.
We had a motorboat ride from Howth to Bangor riding the tide the whole way at 6 1/2 to 7 knts the whole way.
We were met in Bangor by our new crew John and Carol Gibbon for the trip through Scotland on the Caladonian Canal. We motored across the Irish Sea (notice the theme developing) to the Island of Gigha where we picked up a mooring. We launched the dinghy here attached to OB and went a shore for walk about etc. Spent two days and the off to Oban where we visited the destillery sampled the wares got weathered in. Left there on a rainy cold morning and motored to Fort William where we arrived late in the day. Waited for the tide to rise and then were lifted up into the waiting area while everyone finished work for the day. Margaret Epp joined us at this point for the trip through the canal proper. Left the next morning up Neptunes stair case and then on to Fort Augustus the last stop before Loch Ness!
Margaret left us here and we dropped down 5 locks into Loch Ness Motored down the lock with depth sounder on and recorded something big at 539 ft! Hmm maybe there is something to the tales? Arrived at Urquart Castle found a nice bay anchored the boat and off we went to the castle. Of course it was closed but what the heck we climbed the walls and went walk about anyway. Tried fishing but no luck No fish, No monster no nuthin. Went to bed 0330 funny motion in the boat looked out hatch flag flying broadside! OhOh!! aground. Got dressed hurried on deck enough light to see started engine winched ourselves out and since we were all awake headed down the Loch. Think Nessie had her way with us in the middle of the night. The rest of the journey was uneventfull and we arrived in Inverness.
John and Carol left us here. We spent a couple of days due to weather and then on the 18th of June at 0815 Sally and I left for the dreaded crossing of the North Sea.
We arrived in Tanager Norway on the Thurs June 20th at 1615 after a 331 Motorboat ride across pretty much a mill pond! Phew. Walk about a very pretty town then on Fri. got a ride into Stavanger where we did touristy stuff walk about in the rain. Last time I was here was in 1962 on board the Stavangerfijord (look it up on the webb) There was amodel of the ship in the Marine Museum window so of course we went in, besides it was raining out. Returned to the boat weather was vile and was due to stay that way for a couple of days. Sat. went back into Stavanger by Bus and had another nice day walking about.
Sunday June 23/13 We fueled the boat and set sail for Stavanger. We arrived around 1500 to find the main harbour full drats. Sailed around to another set of pontoons that was virtually empty and in the quiet zone. Used the credit card in the parking meter got 1 day ticket and off we went. Visited the Oil Museum and then an early night.
Monday June 24th we were up early and motored in the rain to the Lysefijord to Pulpit rock. Sun was out for that then the rain filled in again for the 6 hour trip back to Tanager.
Tuesday June 25/13 0645 underway for Egersund. We have a weather window. Motor sailed the whole way through some stunning scenery and arrived at 1400 pulled into a vacant finger. Walk about some shopping etc Weathered in!!
Thursday June 27th 0850 underway Motor sailing in a very lumpy confused sea wind directly behind us and a counter current oh what fun 6+ through the water and 3 over the bottom!! A long miserable day and then the wind went to 25 on the nose rounding Liste Point. Finally got shelter behind the Skerries and had a nice trip in to Farsund. Where we are now.
Will now try and down load some pictures.
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