Day 35

When we woke this morning as per the forecast the wind was blowing a gale and the rain was bucketing down. We knew we werent going to get on the water. We got up around 10 a.m. and went into town for breakfast. The fact that we were so close to home and we couldnt get out was a major disappointment for everybody. We decided to hold tough to see if the winds would ease up in the afternoon and maybe we could make some progress towards home. At around 3 p.m. things took a change for the better, the skies cleared and the wind eased. We packed up all the gear and were on the water before 4.30 p.m. James Twomey who came to see us last night drove ahead in his car so we would be in communication with land if there were any difficulties. Our initial plan was to paddle out of Kilmore Quay and head for Slade Head. The wind was at our backs and the sea was not too rough so when we reached Slade Head we decided to paddle on for Hook Head and cross the Waterford Estuary to Dunmore East. Conditions stayed reasonable for the duration of the paddle and we eventually got into Dunmore East around 9.30 p.m. We had a great welcoming committee from Mick O Meara, Dermot Blunt and Brian Fanning - guys who had all paddled around Ireland before. James Twomey was also there to meet us when we landed. It was great to see familiar faces, finally realising we were only one day from home. We stopped in Tramore for a chinese takeaway and are back out in Micks house where we are going to stay the night. The plan is to be up early in the morning, be on the water in Dunmore East for 9 a.m. and hopefully be home in Dungarvan at around 5 p.m. Looking forward to seeing everyone - its hard to believe that the 5 weeks are coming to an end.....Keep an eye on the blog tomorrow for any changes to the arrival time. 21 miles in total today and 5 hours 20 minutes on the water. See you all tomorrow hopefully! Goodnight from Dunmore East!

Day 34

Up at 5.30 a.m. and in the water for 7.30 a.m. The plan was to paddle on the outgoing tide to get us as far down the east coast as possible. Fortunately the wind was at our backs so we made good progress. We paddled the first 30 miles in these conditions and made good progress down to Carnsore Point, crossing Wexford Bay and Rosslare without any difficulty. Once we rounded Carnsore Point the wind changed direction coming up from the south. This made paddling the next 6 miles to Kilmore Quay that much more difficult. We eventually landed in Kilmore Quay around 5 p.m. We have gotten something to eat and are about to pitch the tent for an early night. The plan for tomorrow is to try to get to Tramore although the weather forecast is predicting a Force 8 wind from the southeast, which could cause us problems. We will just have to wait and see. The plan is to get to Tramore tomorrow evening and then on to Dungarvan at some point on Sunday afternoon. Looking forward to seeing everyone. 8 hours 34 minutes and 36 miles on today.

Day 33

Up at 6.30 a.m. and on the water for 8 a.m. The day started pretty well, the sun was shining and there wasnt too much breeze. As soon as we got on the water however, a southerly headwind picked up and made progress difficult. We paddled for the first 4 hours making a 4 mph average which wasnt too bad but the further we paddled the stronger the wind got so we realised after 20 miles that we werent going to get too much further. Spotting some shelter on a beach we decided to pull in. As look would have it we landed next to a caravan park so we asked if we could use the changing facilities to get changed. We met Niamh who works in the caravan park and she gave us access to the facilities and allowed us to pitch the tent and even made us a lovely cup of tea. If you are ever in Morriscastle Strand Caravan Park just ask for Niamh. She really looked after us very well. We have pitched the tent, the wind is still howling so we are probably going to settle in for the evening after grabbing a shower. Having spoken to Mick in Tramore (www.seapaddling.com) weather for the next 3 days is not good - so right now it is touch and go whether we are going to make it home for Sunday. We will know more hopefully after tomorrow. Its a real shame to think we have gotten so close for the weather to scupper our plans at the last minute. Hopefully things will go our way and we still make it home on time. 22 miles today and 5 hours 49 minutes on the water.

Day 32

Up at 6.30 a.m. and on the water for 8 a.m. to catch the tide that would bring us past Dublin. The morning was cold and overcast with a few rain showers as we paddled. We passed Malahide, Portmarnock and Howth before reaching the entrance to Dublin Bay. Tony used the VHF radio to talk to the Dublin Bay Authority warning them that we were about to cross the shipping lane - they were very helpful and informed all incoming and outgoing ships of our presence. Two cargo ships passed out behind us and the high speed ferry passed us inbound. We paddled on past Bray and Greystones and stopped at a beach in Newcastle for lunch. With the wind and tide in our favour we had paddled 31 miles in just over 5.5 hours. Back in the water after 40 minutes stop and we paddled on for Wicklow Head. By now the tide had turned and the tailwind had died so our speed was reduced to around 3 mph. Anxious to make as much progress as we could we paddled on to just outside Arklow getting out of the water at around 8.30 p.m. We have landed on a beach and cooked our dinner and are about to pitch the tent and try for an early night. With just over 100 miles to go the end really is in sight. Unfortunately the news from the weatherman is not good - wind is due to swing from North to South which means potentially we will have a headwind for the next 3 days. 11 hours 15 minutes and 50 miles on today.
Hello to Patrick and Ann Bradley, a local couple from Donabate that we met in the bar last night. We spent a couple of pleasant hours in their company. Hopefully we will see them soon touring the southeast on their BMW motorbike!
Mark, you are getting warmer....

Day 31

Up at 6.10 a.m. We were about to make breakfast when Paul gave us a shout to say that he had a fry on so he cooked up a storm for us and we had a big fry up before hitting the water at 7.50 a.m. Thanks again to Paul and his wife Paula for all his hospitality. We headed out across Dundrum Bay, the morning was overcast but the wind was at our backs so we made great time. We paddled the 31.5 miles from Gyles Quay all the way down to Skerries in just under 6 hours. We paddled around Skerries and made our way down to Donabate, Co. Dublin. We have landed on the beach and are currently in the Waterside House Hotel having something to eat. The plan is to camp here, get up early in the morning and make our way down past Wicklow. We have roughly 160 miles left to do. If we can do 40 miles a day for the next four days, that should get us home for Saturday evening. 8 hours and 6 minutes, 39 miles on. Were getting there.....I have had a look at the comments on the paddle strokes, Mark youre close but not close enough! At this stage I would like to say hello to all the gang out in GSK Dungarvan, especially the IT team. Hope Martin hasnt been working ye too hard while Ive been away. Derek sends all his best wishes to all the lads in the Council especially those in the Tramore Office...and to Reggie who has been working double time while hes been away... Tony sends his best wishes to the lads in the shop - apparently sales have doubled while hes been away. Siobhan is going to send him around anticlockwise when he gets home!

Day 30

Up this morning at 7 a.m. to get the weather forecast, as predicted the winds were forecast for force 7 to galeforce 8. We had two open crossings, one of 5 miles and one of 10 miles so we decided to wait and see what the wind would do later in the day. We got out and about at 10 a.m., had breakfast and completed some running repairs on the boats. We waited around for a few hours and at 2 p.m. we took a stroll into town. We had dinner and stocked up on some shopping, then returned to the campsite. As the wind had dropped we decided to pack the boats and try and make some progress. We were on the water for 5 p.m. and paddled across Carlingford Lough. Midway across the Lough the wind picked up again and it made the second half of the crossing a little more interesting!!! With no sign of the wind moderating we decided not to cross the ten miles of Dundrum Bay so instead we skirted inland with a view to shortening the crossing for tomorrow. We pulled in at a beach at Gyles Quay and we got dressed. We called into a beachfront house to ask the owner if possible to pitch the tent beside his house. He immediately agreed and told us there would be cup of tea ready for us when the gear was packed away. Many thanks to Paul and Paula for their generous hospitality, another fine example of the generosity shown by everyone we have met on the trip so far. We are currently having a couple of pints in Fergusons Bar in the nearby holiday park. Plan is to get to bed soon and be up early in the morning to make some more progress towards home. 3 hours 20 minutes on the water and 14 miles covered today. We are still planning if at all possible to try to make it home for Saturday.
Mick (www.seapaddling.com), Tony is anxious to take you on over the 30 mile leg to Dungarvan - how are you fixed?

Day 29

Up at 6.30 a.m. We left Ballywalter at 8 a.m. The morning was cold and overcast and it was starting to rain. Fortunately the wind was at our backs so we made good paddling time to Portavogie, Strangford Lough and Ardglass. When we reached St. John's Point we were faced with a 14 mile open crossing of Dundrum Bay. Because the forecast was for the wind to get stronger we decided not to stop for lunch and to paddle straight across the Bay. We reached the far side of the bay and paddled past Annalong and Ballymartin. Finally we rounded the corner and landed in Kilkeel at 6.50 p.m. We had completed the 46 miles in 9 hours and 50 minutes. We have stopped at a caravan park, have gotten something to eat and after the long day we are hoping to get an early night. This will be our second night without any drink....starting to get upset! Our plan is to get up early tomorrow, cross Carlingford Lough, Dundalk Bay and make our way down to Skerries. We have 6 paddling days left so if the weather is good we are hoping to be home in Dungarvan next Saturday. So hopefully this will be our last Sunday pitching the tent - it is starting to become an environmental health hazard! On a personal note I would like to wish my son Aaron the best of luck on his last day in primary school tomorrow. Am proud of you buddy.