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.