Day 11

We finished up last night by having a few pints in a pub called Nora Murphy's on the pier in Brandon Point. They looked after us well and also donated some milk and bread - a lovely spot if you are in the area. We hit bed at 11 p.m. and up this morning at 7 a.m. Quick breakfast and on the water for 9 a.m. The plan for today was to make Kilkee. After 40 minutes on the water crossing Brandon Bay a fog descended which brought visibility down to 500 metres, slowing progress. We used the GPS to get to Ballyheigue and stopped in a cove just west of Ballyheigue town for lunch. Due to the fog at this point we made plans to stay there overnight. However at 3.30 p.m. the fog lifted and we decided to cross the Shannon Estuary heading for Kilbaha, 3 miles inland on Loop Head. We left Ballyheigue at 4 p.m. and made the 15 mile trek around Kerry Head and across the Shannon Estuary. Constant wind in our faces and paddling against the tide slowed us down to 3 mph paddling speed. We eventually landed in Kilbaha Bay at 8.50 p.m. We have landed the boats, dressed and are after a pint in Keatings Bar on the pier. The guys here are sorting us out with some food and a place to pitch the tent. We are hoping to be on the water at 6 a.m. to catch the outgoing tide to bring us around Loop Head and up to the Aran Islands assuming weather conditions are favourable. 33.5 miles on, 8 hours 56 minutes on the water.