Dale (Wales) to Arklow (Ireland) to Ardglass (NI)

Up at dawn. Our route inside Skomer and outside South Bishop; motoring with the tide was easy enough till it turned and we had 2.5 knots against us for the last 3 hours.

Arrived in Arklow, pretty tired, but  having avoided the plethora of fishing pots outside the harbour. 

It was reassuring to be greeted by the ever helpful, friendly and welcoming man in charge of the marina and visitors'  pontoon. 

Cash Only  35 Euros a night, and a trip in his car to buy some fuel.

Strangely reassuring as well to see that little had changed since last year: the hole in the pontoon made by a fellow sailor jumping off his boat, the local engineering works and the sewage in the river.