sat in the cafe in Kinsale, all the better for a few hours sleep, a
shower and a hearty breakfast.
Apologies for the lack of blogs en route but comms continue to
frustrate with the email refusing to work with the GPRS booster.
We have had a good first leg. Strategy to sail slightly off the wind
and head southwest toward the new wind seemed to pay off as we were
one of the first Class 3 boats around the Scilies. It was between
Eddystone and the Scillies that we were escorted by three dolphins
playing chicken with our bow wave.
Once around the Scilies we hoisted the A3 spinnaker for a rolling
downwind ride towards Kinsale. With both wind and waves picking up we
suffered quite a few broaches, although she recovered well from each.
Until the final broach at which point the kite decided enough was
enough and tried to hang on the forestay with several turns. A tip we
had pick up on the Brian Thompson training was to gybe at let the wrap
work itself out. Eventually kite down, we settled down to get our
breath back with winds up to 25kt.
As we approached the Head of Kinsale, the wind almost died completely,
as we sat there wishing we can bought a large oar with us. But we just
managed to drift across the line on the last of the flood tide.
Only damage suffered was a spinnaker turning block - easily replaced,
thanks to a bucketfull of Harken spares onboard.
Off for a relaxing day, cleaning up and tidying sails, ready for the
party tonight. And the next leg? It looks like it will be a long hard
slog upwind to Barra in the northly winds. So we'll batten down the
hatches and prepare for a wet ride.
Richard & Trevor
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