On to Inishboffin

After a day ashore it was time to move on. Our next destination was Inishboffin, but we both wanted to see the abbey at Clare Island, so we left the Mayo Yacht
Club moorings early. The forecast wind was northerly force 3-5 and we debated over the no1 or 2 jib. We decided on the no 2 and Julian went up to the foredeck, changed his mind, and asked for the no 1. We tried to sail off the mooring but there was not enough wind and once we were on course to Clare Island we had a flat calm, so got the sails down again.

Julian had a go at thinning the top main sail baton. This was something that Mark Butler of James Lawrence Sails had suggested. The baton was clearly too stiff and put a hard corner in the top of the sail. It is a messy job as the baton was made of fibreglass and the shavings get everywhere no matter how hard you try to control it. After that he made buttermilk pancakes which we ate for elevensies. George steered the whole way.

The moorings at Clare Harbour

Since the pilot was written at least 8 moorings have been installed at Clare Island Harbour. They are surrounded by warnings not to anchor due to electric cables.... We picked one up and rowed ashore. We hauled Worm well up on the sand and Julian refitted Worm's starboard bow quarter knee which had come off a few days earlier. We had a drink at the pub and then walked to Clare Abbey along a road. It was so hot that the tar was melting and sticking to our shoes.

We got ice-creams and the key to the Abbey from the post office. The Abbey has been re-roofed and some restoration work done on the world famous paintings, but they are really in a poor state and not very distinct, looking more like cave paintings than frescoes.

When we took the key back we had a really nice chat about Robinetta in the post office. Back at the harbour we met one oune of the local fishermen. He had been on one of the boats we saw on Tuesday evening when we met the dolphins. He had seen the dolphins and us, and agreed the wind was rather strong.

The predicted force 3-5 had finally come which made the row back to Robinetta much harder work than the row in had been, but it made it worth while getting the main up on the mooring and we sailed off without putting the engine on. It was strong enough to reef, and change down from the no1 to no2 jib, then (of course) the wind died. The motor went on and George took over the steering again. It managed well despite a shortish swell developing as we passed Caher Island.

As we passed Inishturk we got the wind back again, and I relieved George at the helm. The wind increased steadily, and we reefed down steadily. It was an exhilarating ride sailing across and down the Atlantic swell, but it was also hard work. By the time we were safe inside Boffin Harbour I was glad the trip was over.

We rafted up on a big Jeanneau called Silver Bow, which was moored on the outside of the outer pier. It felt sheltered at the time, but later swell came into the harbour and we rolled noticably overnight. Not that it was a long night. It was the first day of the Inish festival and after a trip to the pub we went to a concert of mixed classical and folk music in the community centre. This did not start until 22:45 and went on for two hours. Great music, but I was ready to drop!