Don’t you love the name? Located on the north side of Donegal Bay, Killybegs is the most important fishing port in Ireland and home to a large fishmeal processing plant. Fishing here is done from November to April.
The fleet is quite impressive; brand new state-of-the-art vessels all lined up waiting for fall. The town reminds me of Gloucester yet when you look across the harbor, the landscape mimics Maine with capes adorned with dormers. Here there are trees and what a warming site as most of the country does not. In the south, grassy hills dotted with sheep and cows roll towards the ocean. Travel further north and mountains sprout up beside rocky barrens and sandy beaches. Grass grows everywhere in Ireland, even on the steep, rocky cliffs.
Today it’s blowing 25 to 30 knots in the harbor with predicted gale force winds offshore. We will stay here until the front blows through after which we will head straight to the Isle of Barra, an overnight leg, 20 hours we hope, and my first! Our belongings have been stored and we have been fitted for our harnesses. Elizabeth is making brownies for the trip. Food does wonders for the soul.
Over the past week, our foul weather gear came out of the closet for one quick shower. All other rain has been overnight. Since leaving Crookhaven, a full day’s sail from Kinsale and our first stop, the winds have been light from the southwest making it difficult to sail We are getting tired of our iron genoa. Yesterday the winds were in our face so we pounded for 6 hours, the most uncomfortable yet. I thought (as I had little time to even think about it) that it would be a hop, skip and a jump up the coastline of Ireland. I was wrong. We have averaged 8 hour days. For those of you who are geography buffs and would like to see where we have been, start at Kinsale in the south and follow the west coastline to Crookhaven, Lawrence Cove, Tralee, Little KIllary, Broadhaven Bay, and now Killybegs…or something like that…Am I missing a night? Guess that’s what vacation is all about…loosing track.
Our days consist of, in no particular order, reading, navigating, motoring, making repairs, cooking, cleaning, checking on internet availability, solving crosswords and Sudoku, sightseeing, sailing, doing laundry, motoring, baking, downloading weather reports, researching places to stay for the night, photographing Ireland, and talking with the friendliest and most hospitable people while in port. Yes, we have had a few political discussions as well and wonder what’s going on in the rest of the world, including South Bristol and Lincoln.
It’s often 7 pm or later when we are secured for the night. With dinner and sometimes a movie, at the moment we are watching the John Adams series, 11 p.m. comes quickly. Most of us are asleep before our heads hit the pillows! We have had to anchor only twice as visitor moorings seem to be most everywhere. That’s a luxury and makes for a more sound night’s sleep.
Again, we are ready! We refueled today, purchased some fish and fresh produce. The guys continue to tweak the rigging and make sure all is secure while we finish our business on the internet.
We think of all our friends and loved ones daily. We miss you and hope all is well with everyone. I wish we could send some pictures but the connection is too slow. If that changes, we will do so.
xoxo Linda, Bruce, Elizabeth, Heather and Stuart