Day 13

Up at 6.15 a.m. this morning and on the water for 9 a.m. We left Liscannor and headed for Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands. It was another beautiful morning with the sun shining and the wind at our backs. We landed on Inishmore at 2 p.m., changed our clothes and headed into the town to have a bite to eat and replenish supplies...then Tony spent another hour topping up the tan. We got back on the water at 4 p.m. with the intention to get as far up the Spiddal penninsula as possible. As per usual the lovely NorthEast wind picked up and slowed us down to less than 3.5 mph. We soon realised that we were not going to make as much progress as planned so we decided to come into land in Carna in Co. Galway at 9 p.m. Thomas Walsh met us at the landing site and we proceeded into the Carna Bay Hotel to meet my parents and sister Linda, who had travelled up as a surprize to catch up with us. They treated us to a lovely meal and it was really great to see friendly faces. Mary the hotel owner was more than hospitable and held over her kitchen staff especially to feed us and has offered us the use of the staff quarters for the night - a welcome change from the tent! Thanks Mary. 37 miles today and 8 hours 41 minutes on the water. (pictures above taken at the Carna Bay Hotel). My blisters now have their own blisters...Derek is sore in a delicate part of his body - lets just say we're not rubbing any cream in for him. Catherine you will have to meet up with us again soon to sort it out! Forgot to mention a big thank you to Keatings Bar in Kilbaha - the owners set us up with the makings of ham sandwiches and tea. Also a big thank you to Paddy Bourke and friends for the useful information on the sea and tide conditions in the area.