Crew: Ann G, Cearbhall, Donal, Jo, Shane, Una
The Irish summer or "rainy season" as it's known locally continued. Our Friday evening departure became a Sunday sail.
Forecast for coasts from Carlingford Lough to Carnsore Point to Slyne Head and the Irish Sea
Wind: east force 5 to 6, backing northeast and increasing force 7 to gale force 8 this morning, possibly reaching strong gale 9 for a time.
Outlook for a further 24 hours until 0600hrs 07 September 2008: gale force northerly winds will persist in the Irish Sea tomorrow but will gradually moderate along Irish coasts during the day.
We finally set off on Sunday morning meeting at the marina at 9am. Wind was a fresh northerly F4. Our plan was to sail to Rockabill lighthouse (off Skerries). We made good speed north and decided to anchor off Lambay Island for lunch. Seal Cove on the east cost of the island proved aptly named, with three in attendance sunning themselves at the foot of the cliffs as we dined. After lunch, the wind had dropped considerably, so we decided to head west completing a circuit of the island and on for home. We were now drifting on the tide, but enjoying the sunshine, a rare commodity these days. We tuned in the 'other' radio and picked up some distress messages from Croke Park. Waterford hurling was sinking without trace but we couldn't offer any assistance. Even as the Met Office issued a Small Craft Warning, there was no sign of any wind picking up, so we put away the our headsail and two hour of motoring had us back tied up on the marina for 7pm.