Kinsale

We like Waterford.

Johnny the Marina Manager is welcoming, friendly and wonderfully helpful.

We had supper at “Doolans”. A Pub ... well, to quote their leaflet “Waterford’s most unique pub”.   

This begs the question: How many unique pubs are there in Waterford?

In celebration of our visit, we bought an Irish courtesy flag, a piece of hosepipe and a dongle.   

(Irish dongles are much better than English dongles.)

We met an Australian.

I said: “what are you doing in Ireland?”

He said: “getting a sun tan and improving my English.”

Next stop Youghal.

We sailed there … well, motored.  It was windy, rainy, foggy, wavy, rough, cold and it took about eight hours and it was beating all the way.  Jean wanted to go home (so did I).  But Youghal was nice.

We picked up a mooring.  Had supper. Slept.

Next day was sunny and the wind was from behind us and we decided not to go home.

We sailed to Cork.  

(Crosshaven Actually)..  Salve Marine.  

Very friendly, sheltered.

Al arrived from Newcastle.

We went out to supper at The Anchor.  The fish was wonderful.

We were going to have three days off (at least) in Crosshaven, but we didn’t.

From Crosshaven we set off for Kinsale.

Beating.

We made it to Oyster Haven.

“Quintessential Anchoring” the book said. 

Lovely anyway.  

Very peaceful.

This brings me to Sunday … today.

First off, a message from Linda.

Apparently Bonzo has had a go at the RSPCA Inspector, but he’s pretty much OK (Bonzo anyway).

Bloody animal  (can you have dogs re-castrated ?)

Anyway, Oyster Haven to Kinsale was only about a mile and we arrived at Kinsale Yacht Club in sunshine in time to witness the holy blessing of a ship. (My own view was that it should have been the crew and passengers who were blessed given the rust on the blessed boat). 

Anyway, bagpipes, speeches, processions etc.  All very nice.

Still sunny!

Lunch, in the sun, on the boat.

Nice (sunny) walk to Charles Fort.  Very impressive.  Built in 16’ something to keep the Catholics out.  Full of Spanish tourists.  Obviously failed in its primary aim.

Dropped in at the pub on our way home.

I like Murphys.