We were very grateful to the Arklow HM for allowing us to go alongside and get a good night’s sleep while the winds calmed down. Eire is still closed to visitors but we agreed to stay onboard and leave in the morning, so all good. We left at 1030.
Although the various forecasts for wind direction are accurate the actual wind strengths vary considerably and warnings are updated and put out regularly over the radio. We are trying to avoid anything over a force 6 – but the Irish Sea is proving unpredictable and we expect it to get more lively overnight. For this reason we have decided not to go to the IOM on this passage.
Further along the coast of Eire no harbours are open, not even to pick up a buoy, our contingency plan always was to hug the coastline and continue north to Bangor which is under UK regulations. The Harbour Master at Bangor has a berth waiting for us, so that’s good to know.
Peering through the 50 shades of grey cloud cover we can still enjoy the scenery of the beautiful Wicklow coastline. The beaches are secluded and sandy, the farmland definitely emerald and we can see miles of unspoilt countryside with spectacular mountains in the background. Even though it is raining, our sails are set, we have plenty to look at and we’re loving this experience.
The Tim Heale Website 
Stay safe guys.
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