Boating & Biking Adventures

Category: Ireland Page 1 of 6

Dún Laoghaire 🇮🇪 => Glenarm 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Sailing mate Des joined us when leaving Ireland on the 3rd of May. Initially bound for the Isle of Man 🇮🇲, we altered the course early as the short breaking 3m waves on the nose did not correspond to the 20kn of wind at all and kept flooding the deck. Direction and height wise these waves were pure pain not bearing any logic. A bit of a rough start to test our sea legs keeping the bucket at arm’s length.

After a couple of more hours on the altered tack we got some comfort back just in time for getting into a wonderful night.

Sunset towards the Irish 🇮🇪 coast.
Sunrise towards the Scottish 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 coast.

Shortly after crossing Belfast Lough we arrived tired but happy in lovely Glenarm Marina / Northern Ireland – UK.

Fair winds…

Sea Trials…finally

HE elbow corroded.
HE ready for welding.
HE on milling machine.

After some intensive period of work to get The Lady ready for another adventure we finally got the stage to perform some sea trials.

From forestay replacement to heat exchanger (HE) refurbishment being two of the bigger jobs, there were a million of small bits and pieces to be addressed, starting from foresail luff length adjustment to getting the required nautical charts for the upcoming trip. Crazy crows trying to build a nest at the masttop kept me on my toes! Webasto changing priorities.

Gas bottle filled after 2nd attempt.

The sea trail took place within the lovely Dublin Bay and was testified by more than 150 years of sailing experience represented by fellow sailors from the Royal Irish Yacht Club.

A good and encouraging start under light winds and blue skies.

Captains Des, Rodney & Eddie (LTR).

I had to get back to sea knowing that you can keep working on the boat without sailing at all. You won’t get bored but frustrated.

Departure date coming up on the horizon.

Fair winds…

Cliffs of Moher Cycle Challenge

I was extremely excited when sitting back home on the sofa sometime in February reading about this cycling event at the west coast of Ireland. Taking the weather risk I rolled in for the 80km distance, which by chance coincides with the unofficial track named after Stephen Roche, an Irish professional cyclist to be named on par with Eddy Merckx and Tadej Pogačar.

Another great ride on the beautiful west coast of Ireland was ahead of me. No excuse, no chance to escape!

It was dry but chilly day and there were quite some moments, at which I was not sure, how to make it to the finish line. The “Foodstop“ on the way after around 50km rescued me. The observation from fellow sailor & cyclist René is so true: you can just pick out the non-Irish—the Irish would never be seen wearing anything but shorts 😅. 

More than 1000 biker got supported by more than 180 locals.

An amazing charity event!

Fair winds…

Lahinch Beach in April

A good Irish summer day in early April. Water temperature around 8 °C thanks to the Gulf Stream, air temperature around 13°C, no wind, no chill factor. No wet suits needed anymore!

Fair winds…

…on the hard…

Our focus is back on the boating to get ready for the upcoming season. Part of the program is the haul out at the Royal Irish Yacht Club in Dún Laoghaire to get the underwater part of The Lady checked and maintained. I enjoy the team spirit and atmosphere of this Yacht Club with the oldest purposely build Club House in the world.

Fair winds…

SY Hullu Poro in front of the Club House.

…Boating Days…

We are still enjoying some quite and cosy days here in Dún Laoghaire. It‘s been a busy year.

…ready for the music…

Ireland is circled in by the fourth named storm this season 2024/25: Darragh

As you would expect, it will peak here in Dun Laoghaire just after midnight.

We have some extra defense lines out and will be glad once its over.

Cross fingers…

Dunleary Impressions

Ashley & Ice Cream

It was an interesting combo today enjoying a soft ice (late October!) while beast Ashley played some fluctuating harmonies in forte-fortissimo. It is the first named storm of the autumn.

Dublin Bay Buoy is not only the first mark for boats heading into Dublin Harbour but also provides actual weather readings. It is less than three nautical miles away from our position.

Gusts of 59kn got recorded during the evening hours with average wind of 40kn. Flights got cancelled, power losses reported, flooding expected. The Lady took it without emotions, nicely secured in a spider network of multiple mooring lines.

Nevertheless, we will all be glad once the worst is over around midnight.

Fair winds…

Wicklow @ its best

It was fairytale weather before the next gale passing through, which allowed for another bike ride through the heart of the Wicklow Mountains. The intercity train took me in no time and less money to Wicklow, where the bike ride started. After gravelling a bit around Vartry Reservoir, I was back on the tarmac to tackle Sally Gap, stunning scenery, historically very interesting.

Within 48hours, Ireland shows its variable character, captivating beauty and furious blows! Ireland @ its best!

Definitely my last bonus bike ride in Ireland this year. The bike is now up for service and packing to get it ready for the plane and some “irish offshore” adventures in more southerly latitudes.

Coming up next!

Fair winds…

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