Today we left Ireland.
Before leaving, 2 Paulines, Val, Eleanor and Karen were helped to climb to the first platform. We also hauled Nat and Karen up in their wheelchairs.
We motored down the River Suir, chased by a tanker called Seniority which overtook us after we moved to the port side of the channel to let her pass.
Captain decided to take us further south before hoisting any sails, to enable us to sail north to Whitehaven. Having put fore and aft staysails and a jib, we were stood down just before a helicopter appeared on our port side. The Irish Coastguard Search and Rescue crew hovered by us taking pictures of us, as we took pictures of them. Dolphins visited us on the starboard side at the same time.
An unknown little bird joined us for a lift, terrifying John (2nd mate and 6ft 2ish) as it flew into the deckhouse. Even the impromptu campfire singing didn’t frighten the bird away.
Aft Port Watch