Midlifekayak

We left Dogs Head Bay, Roundstone, bright and early. The strong westerly winds had been blowing F6 gusting F8 but had now eased to F4 gusting F5 and veered NW. Time to push west round Slyne Head and turn north once again towards Inishboffin. 26 miles is a modest target but against a headwind it turned into a 9 hour slog without getting out of the boat. 

I’ll spare you the details of the trip but needless to say bums and backs were feeling slightly the worse for wear when we pulled in to the stunning natural  harbour at Inishbofin. 

And imagine our state of delerium when we realised there was a bar and cafe next to the slipway. We ate ourselves silly, chatted to some folk in the bar and then paddled 200m to our own idyllic camping spot with private beach. I say private, and it was if you don’t count the sheep and hares.

Today we Island hopped in superb conditions and even a slight tail wind! First stop was Inishturk. Everyone we talked to said we had to stop here. Population 50.

As we pulled into the harbour in the sunshine, a voice shouted out hello. Mary Jo owns the cottage by the slipway and invited us in for tea and cake.

We had actually heard about Mary Jo’s hospitality from Jon Hynes. She loves kayaks and loves company of visitors.

We chatted about life on the Island, ate some more cake and said our goodbyes.  Mary Jo has welcomed kayakers, sailors and divers alike for years. Each of them will have left her cottage feeling revived after a day at sea and their hearts warmed by her generosity, as were ours.

It is for experiences just like that that Geoff and I love seakayaking and expeditions in particular. 

It was just a short 7 miles crossing to Clare Island, where we are now. Our staging post before we catch the flood tide through Achill Sound in the morning. Once through the Sound we will be half way through our little expedition. 

Tents pitched, time for a Guinness before bed……

Thank you so much to the anonymous person who made a generous donation to our charities. Please let me know who you are so I can thank you properly.