Scotland and beyond not beonce!

OK OK I know you.ve all been waiting for the next installment so here it is.

We left Carrick Fergus with the tide and headed off to sunny Scotland (yea right sunny) at 0830 and had a motor boat ride across the North channel (the one between Ireland and Scotland, not the one at the top of Georgian Bay.this is for youz who are Geographically challenged). With local knowledge that we were able to obtain with bribes we were able to hug the coast close in and had a favourable 2 knots + against the ebb so we made good time and were well positioned when the tide turned and we crossed at 7-8 knots and sometimes more. We had light fog, med fog light fog and some more med fog and cold all the way. Foulies got a work out. Oh in case you didn't know it the term foulies comes from the perfume generated by wet gear that has been stored on board over the winter without ventilation!
We made it to Ardminish in good time 63 miles in 9 hours with no give or take. Picked up a mooring and there were 10 other boats all ready there and two more came in after us. A very popular spot. We were going to bypass it this year and go to the Queens ( the real one) beach but it was occupied. Spent the night and really early the next morning 0930 we left for Oban. A Dull foogy trip but quick sally figured out the time to leave to catch the tide and I added a whoops factor so we didn't get the full advantage but we still made 11.5 knots and arrived at Oban in good time. took a mooring and stayed on board and started to cook the rapidly thawing meat supply.
We left Oban at 0200 so that we could catch the Sea Lock at Corpatch which is only open 2hrs either side of High Water who is actually not the brother of low water but the brother of no water. It was a very calm foggy morning and as the sun rose yup in the East I could see the fog lifting up into the Scottish Hills. I even saw a wraith. You might ask what a wraith is or not care but I'm going to tell you anyway because I have the keyboard! So a wraith is a lost wandering spirit that only comes out on dull dreary misty foggy days. They kind of hang around close to the ground for the maximum scare value if you happen upon one whilst walking in a glen or some other part of Scotland. Think they might also be territorial as I only saw one and He, She, It did look a little lonely and I don't think they can swim either as He, She,It didn't come out to the boat for a visit. I was hoping it would as Sally was sleeping down below and a visit from a real wraith would have been priceless. Oh and they don't talk much so all in all would not make a bad guest. So back to the trip which was so quick i made it to the Lock to early! and had to wait for the opening. Didn't take long and it gave Ian and Margaret time to arrive. Which they did.
Loxk finally opened and in and up we went just like an elevator except somewhat dryer. Once Ian and Margaret were on board and they're stuff stowed ie thrown on the floor we did the escalator of Neptune's stair case. Once at the top we secured the boat right outside the facilities had a scrumtious dinner and a wobbly or two(hollidays so no one counts) we all went sleepy bys.
Sunday June 15/14 0830 we cast off for the arduous journey East through the Caledonia Canal which if you don't know was built by the same guy as who built the Rideau Canal Thomas Telford. He did an excellant job with both and they were both sized to take an English Frigate. In due time we arrived in Fort Augustus locked down insted of up tied up close to the lou again went walk about had another scrumptious dinner of soon to go bad stuff. We met a couple of guys with an older swan(boat not the bird) though there were some birds around. And after the girls chatted them up we got invited for breakfast in their condo in the old Abbey  which had been made into an Abbey after the fort got to expensive to maintain so the Prince Augustus ave it to the Monks. Then the Monks fell on bad times and sold out to a condo developer so we got to go for breakfast. Left there later than I wanted but on dry land Captain doesn't count for much! We eventuall got under way and had a motorboat ride down Loch Ness and no Nessie this year guess she recognized us. and in due time we arrived in Inverness. Ian and Margaret left us after a great few days and we were left all alone :(. Not for long we called Fiona and she and Neil and Poppy came for dinner. Oh Poppy is a spoiled red dog make unknown at the moment but very friendly anyway. Tried to get the fridge fixed and no one in the whole @#$%^&*&^%$# country could be bothered to even come and have look at it! So it still isn't but the sea is cold so the beer is tolerable.
We left Inverness with the tide at 1730 hours and motored out of the harbour and once out past Fort George (the one in Scotland not NOTL) we hoisted the sails and had a very nice sail to Wick. arriving at 0500. Got squared away and went walk about to the distillery and then out to dinner at Witherspoons 2.95 pints!!!! and some fish and Chips.
Done UK and Ireland now so you'll just have to wait for Norway. OH OH just realized it wasn't a wraith but a Specter description still applies though.

Up the Irish

Ha you all thought we forgot about you didn't you? Well we didn't just too much happening in to short a time and no internet access any way. That's the story and we're sticking to it!
We left Kilmore Quay against all the advise about bad seas and weather dressed warm and in our foulies and had a wonder full motor sail to Arklow with the tide. Spent two days rigging halyards and waiting for a huge wind to die down and then after two days headed North once again with the tide. Had a great sail until Dalky when the not so huge wind shrunk to a whisper so kranked up the now trusty red deisel and motored the final 15 miles to Howth Every thing except the fridge working perfectly. While in Howth we did the run around to Customs trying to get the vat back on the engine purchase It really was an expensive run around a we used a cab to the airport and then the port No one knew what to do and we were finally advised to mail a letter to the head of the vat refund section outlining why we want the money back. Your guess is as good as mine as to what that outcome will be. The rest of the day was spent in Dublin doing Dublin stuff and then going to Melfield house to visit Uncle Mike and Auntie Joyce. Returned on the dart to the boat and left Howth at 0130 Wed June 11/14 and motored 96 miles in 14 hours and tied up in CarrickFergus Northern Ireland. Spent only the one night but went for a pint at the sailing club and listened to and watched a 23 member guitar 1 tambourine and a late entry keyboard band. jammin. Left the next morning for Gigha.

Weather thou goest!

Weathered in Kilmore Quay. Go figure, we finally get in the water on Wed. load the boat close up the house Party with the boatyard crew sleep on board for the first time in too long. Get up early on Thurs. fuel the boat cast off at 1030 on a glorious sunny day and motor down the Barrow river. Repaired Auto Pilot thinks it's in China and just wanted to go around in a circle so Sally and I took turns actually steering for a change. It was just a perfect day on the water. Arrived into the Quay. The mechanic came down to finish up some stuff and broke a tap (the threading thingy not the water one) in the shaft coupling to the transmission! Not a good end to the day!.
Woke up this oops forgot we went out last night for fish and chips. anyhow we did wake up this morning to a howler out of the S/E with some rain thrown in for good measure! Had the first bowl of oatmeal this season for breakfast.
 I then started on some easy jobs then the mechanics crew arrived to install the correct deluxe instrument panel and fix the coupling.
All went well and now everything is working except I now have a fuel leak from the top of the tank! But that's tomorrows job. If there is not a boat job everyday I get anxious and out of sorts.
Sally went off on the bus in the morning leaving me, So I went for a crab roll to feel better.
 Now back on board listening to the wind generator actually making electricity! Whooooppppeeee. don't have to plug in.
Looks like we might even be here tomorrow. So one days travel and two days idle multiplied by 27 and divided by 34 = a long long long summer! By for now.

I'm back!!!! Still in New Ross! awaiting a new Instrument panel that should have come with the engine! Almost got into the water on the weekend but the fridge decided that it didn't want to fridge. So now we're waiting for a relay to fix that problem. Need the fridge for beer and a whole lot of meat for Norway as the prices can turn one into a vegieterian don't know how to spell Vegan but you get the idea.
So welst we were waiting for parts we decided to drive up to Limerick to see the Beta dealer and pick up some spare filters and zincs. Had a nice visit with Cyril and then drove to a flying boat museum. Can't remember the town name) Where we boarded a Boeing flying boat for a tour and flight. Sally was the Pilot. I had a parachute.
Then last Tuesday We went out to Helen's BIG House for a salmon dinner (caught by Gerrard Helen's Gardiner also her Husband). 7 of us at table (Table sat 24 without any leafs) but we were all at the same end so easy to pass the salt and pepper.
Wed. we went to Adrian's for a bbq steak dinner. Thurs we were back at Longraid for another feast (think there is a secret competition going on ) with John and Carol, Mark and Jaquie. and Collin and Lizzie and assorted rug rats. Fri. We met Adrian at the undertakers and had 1 too many pints then off home for fish and Chips.
Sat. at the boat yard for a bbq of shisssskaboobs and veg. with a little wine for good measure. Sun back at the yard Sally off God bothering so a quiet morning. doing boat stuff. Why is it with a boat when something works last week it doesn't this? I pondered that all yesterday afternoon and into the evening then I went to bed.
Today yesterdays stuff that didn't work was fixed(fingers toes eyes and legs crossed) and some new stuff also fixed. Annnnd the boat isn't  even wet yet! But it's all fun (ya right) this comment brought to you by the right brain.
So I think this brings me up to date and there is even pictures for your edification and amusement.
by for now.