Midlifekayak

Slow start to the day after the Irish Sea Crossing. It had rained heavily over night and all our kit was soaked and covered in sand. The Bay was covered in thick mist, so we made a brew, had some breakfast and allowed the sun to burn through. When it finally did we managed to get the kit a bit drier before we packed up and got on the water.

Just 12 miles along the south coast to Kilmore Quay. A recovery day.

We had a stunning bivi spot that night and one of the best nights sleeps we have had.

The next day we pushed on toward Tramore, some 26 miles. It was a bit of a slog but pleased we covered the miles.

9 years ago when we paddled round Ireland, we pulled into Tramore harbour on our second night. There, we had a chance meeting with the kayak legend that is Mick O’Meara. Mick holds a range of kayaking records including the fastest circumnavigation of Ireland – 23 days. A humble man, but a real endurance athlete. On that expedition, Geoff and I were to get the chance to paddle together with Mick in some rather enormous seas off the west coast a few weeks later. It was a day that Geoff and I still talk about.

As we paddled into the harbour again on our latest adventure, we did joke that perhaps we would see Mick belting up and down the bay in his kayak.

We headed into town for dinner and our first Guinness since landing in Ireland.

As we arrived back in the harbour there was a lone kayaker just returning to shore. It was Mick. So good to catch up with the big fella and hear his news.

Today, Day 17, was “effing hard work” according to Geoff. I concur. Beautiful day, but very warm and still. Which can just make kayaking tough going. We managed 30 miles in a oner though and now find ourselves making camp on the harbour wall in Ardmore.

As we were bedding down for the night, a local chap came down from his house to speak with us. He is 3rd or 4th generation Ardmore. He has sailed to and visited most of the small islands off the Irish coastline and gave us some tips for places to visit and stay over the coming weeks.

Thank you for all the good wishes and for your donations to our charities. We will say a little more about why we chose the charities in a blog soon.

We also hope to share some photos and videos of us actually on the water, rather than on harbour walls!

Setting up camp in Ardmore