We got fed in Enniscrone last night and went to the local campsite to see if we could get a spot to pitch the tent. Unfortunately it was closed by the time we got there so we wandered back to where we left the boats in Dessies house. He very kindly offered us the use of his back garden to pitch the tent and we sat around chatting for an hour or so. We were in bed fairly early but planned not to go too early in the morning because of the poor forecast.
We got up this morning at 8:30 and the day looked fairly good so we decided to hit the water and paddle as far as we could in order to try and get into position to cross Donegal bay in the next day or so. Dessie was up before us had the breakfast on and sorted us out with a fry up and resupply of drinking water before we left. Many thanks to him and his family for all of their hospitality - they really could not have done anymore for us. (As a side not Dessies dog seemed to take a fancy to me - not sure if it is beacuse I haven't showered in a couple of weeks !)
We were on the water for 10:45 and paddled for Easkey (10 miles up the coast) the wind started to pick up (as did the sea) and the barometric pressure also started to drop (a sure sign of bad weather approaching). We landed at Easkey beach (surfers paradise) next to the pier and met two Welsh surfers who gave us directions to town and told us we could pitch out tent next to there camper vans in a nearby field.
As luck would have it Nana and Grandad G were only and hour away on their way to Donegal - the met us for lunch (treated us again !!) it was great to catch up.
We are currently updating the Blog from and internet cafe (pub!) in the town of Easkey - due to head out and pitch the tent in the next few minutes (or maybe hours!). Forecast for the morning is not good - we have a 25 mile open crossing to the far side of Donegal bay but will need pretty good conditions to try it so it could be Friday before we get on the water again.
Side note - George, on the wildlife front we have seen loads of seals, puffins and one or two dolphins. Yesterday morning Derek saw a shark at about 8:30 a.m (12 foot Basking Shark - we spent the rest of the day trying to keep our hands out of the water!!
Toby, Craig (kite surfing/ Surfing ledgends of the South East) looks like it's goin to be your type of weather for the next couple of days - at least someone is enjoying it!!
Thanks for sorting out the salt water question - keep watch for futher questions over the coming days - there may be a prize at the end of the trip! Comments as usual are very welcome - it really is amazing to see the amount of interest people are taking in it. Keep it up as it gives us a great lift at the end of the day to know that you are keeping track of out progress
7 comments:
well Fats good to know Derek wasn't eaten on that encounter! we were out for a paddle ourselves on sunday, saw some massive jellyfish. met an american too who's doing a solo circumnavigation of ireland. he's taking 3 months out to do it. check out his blog if you get bored - it's here on http://www.seakayakspecialists.com/Ireland2007
ps. great to see the pictures - keep them coming
Oh Dear a mid afternoon post from the pub - the barometric pressure won't be the only thing going down tonight by the sounds of it!Fair play to ye for conquering the west coast lads.Hope the weather stays fine for ye.Keep drinking the Guinness - aparently it's good for you and gives you strength!
Hope you manage to get away today boys. The weather's pretty messy here in the sheltered south-east, hope its better for ye! If ye get holed up, rent a few boards and tell us first hand what those famous reef breaks at Easkey are actually like...I'm green with envy at the thought! Like, get in the pipe duuuudes! :)
Bro - thanks for checking in last night, I updated the folks...sounds like ye are making good progress - hope ye can catch up on some rest in Easkey while awaiting favourable weather conditions for next step.... Oisin is having fun tracking your venture on a Map - great opp. to brush up on our Geography! Are ye tracking the best coastal pub in Ireland for a good Guinness? - be a great excuse to down a few more..
Found a good link for how
salt has got into the sea water - if ye need more info. Talk Soon, Be Safe - Linda
Hi bro and co-sitting here eating a very boring lunch thinking of ye off on your wonderful adventure-weather is awful here-hope ye are having better luck!Have lots of suggestions for the title of your bestseller-will keep you posted!take care-Nu &co
Well done so far lads.. don't get too comfortable on dry land... hope weather changes in your favour soon and ye get back on the water.
Best Wishes
Mark Doris & Keeva
How's it going Brian and the lads. Fair play to ye, that's great going so it is !! It doesn't look like you've been to the pub for a bit, better get that sorted ye need to keep the energy up.
Take it easy, Andy Hartery (Waterford)
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