Day 12

Up this morning at 5.15 a.m, had breakfast and on the water for 7.15 a.m. We passed Loop Head shortly after 8 a.m. and with the seas calm and the sun shining it was a magnificent sight. We turned the headland and the usual North Easterly wind was in our faces. We stopped in a cove just north of Kilkee for lunch after 25 miles and realised with the constant head wind affecting progress, we were not going to make it to the Aran Islands as planned. After lunch we made for Liscannor, past Mutton Island and paddled across Liscannor Bay. The constant wind made it a long and ardous day and we pulled up on a beach just north of Liscannor after 7 p.m. We have pulled the gear onto the beach and have hitched a lift into the town. We are about to sit down for a meal and make plans for tomorrow. We hope to be joined by Thomas Walsh on Saturday who plans to paddle with us for a few days. 40 miles on and 10 hours 41 minutes on the water. Tired!
p.s. I have noticed that there is some concern about the regularity of our pub visits - please note that I am purely only acting as chaperone to the boys .... it is a tough job to keep them out of trouble!

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.

Day 10

Up at 7.30 a.m. and on the water for 9 a.m. We left Knightstown and headed across Dingle Bay and through the Blasket Sound. We pulled in to Dunquin for lunch with the weather just ideal for paddling - sun shining and the wind low. From there we headed around Clogher Head, past Smerwick Harbour and on for Brandon Head. The cliff scenery either side of Smerwick Harbour was just beautiful. Just beyond Smerwick we met another kayaker, called Dave Thompson coming in the opposite direction. Dave, from Newfoundland, Canada is on a kayaking holiday here, exploring the islands of the southwest. We rounded Brandon Head and have come into Brandon Point for the night. The sunny day has done wonders for Tony's tan but has somewhat quietened Derek - we have only heard a little bit of Christy Moore today! (As you can see Derek is doing his best to catch up with Tony - ya, this is the life) 40 miles on this evening after 8 hours and 47 mins of paddling - a good day.

p.s. Note all comments come through the blogsite for moderation before being published so if you don't see them on screen immediately don't worry, they should be published as soon as they are vetted! Keep them coming.

Day 9

An 8.30 a.m. rise this morning because we thought the weather was going to be too bad but the winds dropped during the morning and we decided to push on up the coast as far as we could. We packed up, said goodbye to the families and headed out from Garinish at 11 a.m. We headed across Kenmare Bay for Scariff Island, conditions good and good progress made. Then on to Boulus Head where once again, wind which was in our faces, picked up and as per usual slowed us down. We pressed on for another hour and got to Puffin Island where we had lunch. After lunch we made for Long Island at the entrance to the Valentia Sound. We paddled the length of the sound, under the bridge at Portmagee which links Valentia to the mainland and ended up in Knightstown where we have camped up for the night. Tents are pitched and we have been to the Fuchsia Restaurant for our dinner where the prop. Catherine Healy fed us even though they had already finished for the night. Many thanks Catherine for the lovely meal and your genorosity. Tony's uncle Michael came across from Cahersiveen and kept us company and very kindly paid for the great food. We are on our way out to the Coast Guard station to introduce ourselves to the guys who have been keeping us updated on the weather over the past few days. Then off to bed early as early start planned. Will attempt to round Brandon Head tomorrow. Mark we will do our best to take in the wonders of the kindgom as we go!

Day 8

Up this morning at 7.30 a.m in Castletownbere and on the water (at last!) by 9 a.m. We were delighted to see an improvement in the weather with a beautiful sunny day and light breeze. When we rounded the bay out of Castletownbere, it soon became clear that we were not going to make as much progress as we hoped. The wind picked up and blew North Westerely into our faces which made progress difficult. We rounded Blackball Head and then made our way to Crow Head and from there into Dursey Sound with the wind rising as we went. We made it through the Sound (the channel between the mainland and Dursey Island) and looking up we could see Ireland's only remaining Cablecar, linking mainland and island. Once we got through the sound we decided to pull in at Garinish Bay, where we have landed for the night. The O'Mahony and Lyons families are here with us, we have pitched our tents and are settled in for the night. 18 miles completed after 4.5 hours of paddling and the mood has lifted now that we are back on the water. Hopefully this week we will catch up and make headway up the west coast.

Day 2 in Castletownbere - Still here !!

Its 3.30 on Saturday afternoon and we are still stranded in Castletownbere - it's a very nice place and the people have been very friendly and helpful - but to be honest we would rather be making progress up the west coast.

My inlaws - Nana and Grandad G - arrived from Milltown (via the scenic route) last evening and brought us out for a slap up meal - we had a great couple of hours in their company even though Derek is still the worse for having to finish the bottle of red! Thanks folks much appreciated.

My family came to visit last night - it was really great to see them even though it's only been a week - many thanks to Liam for the driving! As per the forecast todays weather was as bad as expected, strong south easterly wind F6 to F8 which we could not get out in. Tonys family arrived early this morning and we all headed out to Dursey Sound to scout ahead the next leg of the trip. The wind direction would make the passing through the Sound relatively easy at slack water but the problem is trying to navigate the coast up to that point. We are anxiously waiting to see if the forecast is going to allow us to get out in the morning - any good weather would be most welcome at this point. Dereks family are due down this evening - so we will all have caught up with everyone before the day is out - it is great to see everyone and get the news from home.
The plan for this evening is to sort out the gear make sure everything is dry and ready for when we hit the water again. Once again a big thank you for all of the comments - George - no wildlife photos as of yet we have seen two seals and a few puffins - rumour has it there are lots of dolphins and some whales in the area so heres hoping...
Brendan - Derek says there was no need to pay for the vote he was always going to be good for it anyway - the generous donation for the Make A Wish foundation is very much appreciated - hope all of the lads in the two sites are keeping an eye on the blog and that we can post news on good progress next week.

Update from tomorrow should be back to Aaron as we will be on the water with any luck if not cabin fever is going to set in big time!!

Update from Castletownbere Friday 1st June

Hi all - greetings from a windswept Castletownbere - unfortunately the weather is once again not in our favour and we won't be on the water at all today. The forecast for today, tomorrow and Sunday is not looking too good - hopefully we can make some ground towards Dursey Sound before Sunday with a view to getting up to the Dingle penninsula on Monday. The forcast for next week looks a lot better and we would hope to make up some of the ground we have lost up to now. It is frustrating to be hanging around (drinking Guiness and eating crabcakes !! Just joking Tony doesn't drink at all and Derek certainly doesn't eat crab cakes his mother 'Terry Organ the Queen of Abbeyside' will vouch for that!!)
Just stocked up on medical supplies in the local chemist - need to get the blisters and sunburn sorted out so it will be like a scene from Casualty for the evening - show me where it hurts Tony!! Derek bought an extra 'Water-bottle' in the chemist for the long crossings.
Nothing for it this evening only to plan as best we can for the break in the weather and see how much progress we can make in the difficult conditions. Thanks for all of the comments - it was great to get to read them this morning, something to put a smile on the face - keep em coming - pass on the link to friends and family.

Darragh - best of luck from Dad to u and the Dungarvan U10 hurling team in the Ballyduff semi-finals tomorrow - call to let us know how you got on as soon as you can.darragh is the captain and hopefully he can lift the cup for the fourth year in a row