Ireland!

July 20
Ostinato pried itself off the dock at 11:30 today in light rain and less than 10 k of wind. Stocked with fresh supplies, the latest weather files and a shared forecast from SY Layla, we were all thrilled to be under way at last.

Once we passed the island, we were able to average 5 knots under sail. This was not to last long however. On my watch at 22:30, winds were down and the boat was beginning to wallow so I gave in and turned on the engine. The sky has cleared and the stars are brilliant.

Made contact with Herb. We appear good until Tuesday where around 42 degrees N the winds are expected to turn N to NE. That should be interesting.

July 21
Passed multiple ships last night. At one point there were 5 large cargo carriers on the screen. AIS was really helpful to have to get through that comfortably. Avg 5-8 k of wind. Put the spinnaker up this morning. Heading a little NE looking for wind. Layla, on her way home to England, is about 10 miles behind us. It's nice to have another boat out here with you to check in with now and then. We decided to change meals around so our big meal will occur at noon with sandwiches or something light in the evening. With winds being so light it is hard to know if this has helped with my seasickness or not but I ate all 3 meals today.

July 22
Great sail today. Wing on wing in 10-15 k. Forecast for weather continues to be light winds from the North beginning Tues thru Thurs. Have had good VFH radio contact with Layla throughout the day.
The German couple that was tied up briefly to us in Horta recommended chewable vitamin C for seasickness. After considerable searching I was able to locate a bottle and have been chewing away. With that and the Stergeron, I have not felt seasick with exception of the first night. Maybe we are on to something!

July 23
The lovely 15 k SW winds erupted into 30-35 k from the W eventually clocking around to the E. The crew spent the day adding reefs to the main and jib. By the end, Ostinato was down to 3 reefs and a hanky. We chowed down on beef stew and decided it was time to pull out another blanket.

July 24
I awoke to sunny skies and 10 k from the N. Ostinato was sliding its way over 10 foot swells heading N back to the rhumb line to be in position for Herb's recommended waypoint and the wind shift to the NW. King and Ed had already shook out all of the reefs and the port engine was in gear. What a difference 24 hrs can make.

July 26
The expected NW winds never arrived. We motored N for the last two days. While winds have been light, between 10-12 k, going has been slow. Last night, Herb promised NW winds would arrive today and should stay with us for the rest of the sail to Ireland. So it was no surprise when I awoke to hearing King and Ed chatting versus the drone of the engine. Finally, we are sailing again, making 6 K. Not only sailing, but the seas are calm and the sun is shinning bright. Who would of thought we would find ballroom sailing in the middle of the North Atlantic.

July 27
After Layla announced they had caught a large tuna, Ed was shamed into dragging out the fishing rod to give it another try. By mid afternoon he hadn't had a strike but did have a bird fan club straight out of Hitchcock. Ed and King did have an exciting tug of war with something (fish or fowl). 
  Unfortunately, the day ended with 1 for the fish, 0 for Ed.

Mid day there was a high whine coming from the port side. At first we feared the engine but on further investigation determined the water maker was creating the racket. Looks like showers will be on hold for the remainder of the trip.

At two days out, winds continue to look good till Monday. It would be nice to reach port before then (the shower thing). However, that will be a stretch. Wind is on our beam and we are running about 6.5 k. Starting to get low on fresh veggies but still plenty of food and supplies on board to keep the crew happy. Ostinato is beginning to be a bit nippy, especially at night. We are all bundled up in sweats and flannel. I have pulled out our long underwear. The canvas enclosure is fully up. During the day it toasts up the back porch quite nicely.

July 28
Had a bit of a cat and dog with an overtaking cargo ship this morning that didn't seem to want to give right of way. I named him "Carl". At the last minute "Carl" did a momentary course change that enabled him to slide in behind vs broad siding us which is what the vector on the screen was showing (and what would happen in an ABYC dinghy race). Welcome to my world at 4 am. King was sweet talked into staying up with me to hold my hand on this one.

It rained this morning and gave Ostinato a much needed fresh water rinse. Afterward, we removed the sunshades over the large ports to increase our visibility and hopefully warm up the cabin. Wow. What a difference. Grilled pork chops with stuffing, corn and tossed salad for lunch. Everyone is getting anxious to be in port. Getting harder to take those off watch naps. Less than 200 miles!
Fish - 2 Ed - 0

July 29
After days of no land on the chart plotter the edges of Ireland appeared this morning. We are still about 15 hrs from our waypoint, Fastnet Rock. I had hoped that last night was my last early morning watch but since this would have us arriving in Crookhaven around midnight, we will head on to Baltimore....not that one silly. First light was at 3 am this morning so we hope that will be about right for us to get in with a little daylight. Big swells today. Nice wind. Moving around 7 k. We put a reef in to slow us down a bit so we could have a dawn arrival. Ed made stir fry for dinner and brownies are in the oven. His stir fry turned out better than my brownies due to our magic oven deciding on its own to turn off in the middle of the process. Didn't stop anyone from eating it, however. Ed has the fishing rod out again. I'm betting on the fish. The first lights from Ireland was spotted at 9:15 pm from The Dursey Island lighthouse. Picking up local VHF weather radio transmissions. Is that really English?
Fish - 3. Ed - 0

July 30
Awoke at 6:00 this morning to see Fastnet Rock out the port. What a sight! Arrived in Baltimore at 7:30. No wind. We motored the last 2 hours of the trip. Tied up to a small barge just at the tip of town. Went ashore and watched Ed eat a full Irish breakfast, eggs, bacon, sausage, blood pudding, some fish cake thing, and toast. This was all washed down with OJ and coffee that would stand alone. Did I forget the toast? I think Ed was trying to gain all of his weight back in one setting.

I can't believe we are really here. It feels really, really great.

Fastnet Rock

She's smiling...can't be too seasick.

Ed still after that first catch

Will it be today?

Crossings takes a loooooong time