Episode 13 New Ross heading north up the Irish Sea

 New Ross, what a wonderful visit we had with our friends at the boat yard. We had to clear into Ireland as since "Brexit" no one is too clear on the rules. Well New Ross police station has a part time immigration officer who would see us at 4 PM. Steven was all set to run us in but then Michael suggested we take his jeep, this was perfect as it took ages. We got there early and eventually saw the lady at 4:45 PM. Noel was "Chatty Cathy" so comfortable in a police station. This reminded me of when my father visited a hospital hard to get him out especially when he was not the patient. We stopped and did a small shop, desperately seeking some paddy whisky. By the time we got back to the yard it was late and lashing rain. We had hoped to get back up to the canteen to visit more with Michel and Steven but we were all too tired. 

The next day was full of great visits. My brother, sister-in-law and nephew Ben came for coffee bearing gifts of tea brack and country butter...Oh so good! Then the crew of Miss Molly Too picked us up and off we went to the Kennedy Center for lunch. The chat was non stop and it was great to see our pals. Then they kindly brought us out to John and Carols where we were going to stay for a few days. 

The wind was rising and when it was against the tide the river was very bouncy so it was better we were not on board. Michel dreaded us being on board at night when the wind was so high so we doubled the lines and had a wonderful visit with John, Carol seeing Colin and family from a distance as they had tested positive for the dreaded Covid. 

 Super windy and the white caps rolled between the hulls of the fishing catamarans that were waiting for the dry dock. 

Noel doubling up the lines and placing the board made from wood that we found in the boat yard field.

 Sean with his "Milwaukie" tool collection. We flushed the engine anti freeze with professional help. Noel was so glad he had when he watched how Sean had to bend twist and stretch. 

 Steven in the meantime had welded from old propane bottles a BBQ and smoker with a warming grill below. So this was the test firing with lots of starter fluid on hand.  He was pleased with the result.

 Dry dock almost ready to depart. 

 Yard was busy and so tidy.

  Steven took his 1950 MG for a spin. 

 All too soon it was time to head. 

 This time we waited for the bridge, it was not a long wait.

 Flying past passage east on the falling tide.

Approaching the Hook Light.

 Better conditions after we pass as we could bear off and sail. 

 Too windy for kite fling but great for family visits and ice cream feasts. 

 There is a great play ground so the disappointment of kite flying was more then mitigated. Then Adrian Sandra, John and Carol joined us  and we had ice cream followed by tea on John and Carols boat.  

The plan was for John to join us sailing up the Irish Sea. We failed to check the tides till after Carol had headed home. 02:30AM departure just failed to appeal we waited the next day for the PM tied and headed north then, again it was a motor sail in light wind. 

 Very still when we departed. 

 Entering Arklow fenders ready. 

The place was hopping about five cranes and dredging operations on going. The boat we rafted to advised that the pile driving had only just stopped and it was late (20:30)when we arrived. 

We rafted onto a boat heading south so we would be casting off 1st thing in the AM (05:10) while they waited for the later tiide to carry them south. 

The weather had kept many boats in harbour for the past few days to everyone was making a move, boats rafted up stream and down stream. The tide can run 6Knots in the Irish sea so we have learned not to fight them but travel with them. 

Up early and under way  by 0510. Again another motor sail. 

 Approaching Howth, north side of Dublin bay.

Harbour entrance 

Low tide, respect the markers

Similar view but at high tied. 

Our time in Howth was short, just the one night. My friend from school, Sonya joined us for dinner and the evening was full of chat and laughs. All to soon Sonya was off back into town and I was headed back to the boat having seen her to the bus stop. I got back on board with the help of some members to make the swipe card open the gate on the pontoon. The access point was not marked and took the 3rd time down the ramp to find it. May have been a bit of fatigue factor.   We were catching the tide and underway to Bangor by 05:15 the next day. 

Arrived in Bangor NI, 1930 having done 89 miles. The calm before the next low pressure, we stayed in Bangor from the 15th to the 20th waiting for the winds to calm down and not be against us. 

And so ends this blog, we hope you will join us with the next as we continue our journey.