Midlifekayak

Another great day on and off the water.

Last night was bonfire night in Ireland which is held on the eve of the birth date of St John the Baptist. No fireworks on Clare Island but the world’s biggest bonfire had been built on the beach about 300m from our tents. When Geoff and I headed off to bed around 10.00 pm the party hadn’t started. We thought perhaps we had got the wrong night and were quietly relieved that we might actually get some sleep. What we hadn’t reckoned on was the party starting at 3am. Our tents now formed the centre of the car park and what must have been all of the island’s young people arrived on cue. We kissed goodbye to any sleep….

Lack of sleep didn’t seem to affect us today though.  We timed our launch to pick up the north going flood tide through Achill Sound and together with a southerly wind we made between 5 and 6 miles and hour for the first 10 miles.  The persistent rain and mist didn’t take the gloss off a perfect start. At Achill Bridge the tides meet so that north of the bridge the ebb tide continues north. That means you can get a good tidal push for 14 miles or so – free miles!!!

We had timed it just right. We paddled under the bridge and pulled over on a slip way as we had spotted a supermarket. We must have looked a right pair as we walked in. We got a few funny looks and friendly comments. 

A coffee, sausage roll, chicken and mushroom pie and a breadcrumb fillet of chicken later and we were back on the water to pick up the ebb tide. 

As the tide changed so too did the weather. The rain stopped and mist and cloud lifted leaving us to paddle in glorious sunshine and allowing us to enjoy the incredible mountainous backdrop on Achill Island.

18 miles down now and we were out the other side of sound leaving Achill Island behind. Another 14 to go before  we met the channel that joins Blacksod Bay with Broadhaven Bay. 

Incidentally, a weather report from Blacksod lighthouse on 3rd June 1944, caused Eisenhower to delay the D  Day landings by a day and potentially averted a complete disaster.

By the time we arrived at the channel at Belmullet it  was low water, but there was still just enough for us to paddle the few hundred yards through. 

We were feeling good and the sun was still shining so we decided to stop for fish and chips and then push on a few more miles. 

So here we are at Broadhaven,poised to enter Donegal Bay tomorrow. We’re camped on an old slipway beneath a trawler feeling satisfied with another 36 miles under our belts.

Big thank you to Freya, Becky, Daz, Christine, Deborah and Joanna for your donations. You guys are amazing and so generous!