Day 57 - Lough Derg races 5 - 8

To win any championship you need to be consistently good. Today we got a 25th, a 1st, a 34th and a 60th.  No consistency at all.

We woke to drizzle and had breakfast huddled in the tent. It rained on and off until late afternoon. I left the boys in the tent while I fixed the problems of yesterday. When I had finished Michael came and found me with a teary story of how Timothy was being mean and had spilt Michael's breakfast in the tent and put grass in it. So I took him to the cafe where he had pancakes with maple syrup and some toast and I had a cup of coffee. When we finished it was time to get dressed in wetsuits and get going.

The wind was light and we were late to the starting line but need not have worried as it took at least 30 minutes before the first attempted start and then there were probably two postponements and a couple of general recalls. During this time the wind strength built to around 18 knots.  The first race went much as we might expect. We got an okay start but couldn't get away from the pack. We didn't make too many errors and ended up 25th which is perhaps a little better than I might expect to place.

The wind was a little lighter in the second race I decided to start at the left side of the line. Surprisingly there were only a couple of us really aiming for the pin. A UK boat was a little closer than us but we pointed higher and were soon ahead. We stayed on the left side almost to the lay line and then tacked. There was only one boat we were not clearly ahead of and I chose to go below him rather than risk a penalty. We rounded the first mark in second but it wasn't long before another boat overtook us. We rounded the leeward mark in third with several boats just behind. I though several if them would slip by. Thankfully the boat in first place decided to cover the other, his real competition for the series. This let us get to the windward mark ahead by about 8 boat lengths. With the scent of victory around there was no hesitation or lack of concentration with the spinnaker and we increased our lead for the first two buoys of the trapezoid. By the leeward buoy were had lost a bit partly because I wasn't taking any chances and dropped the spinnaker early. They were catching us all the way up the short beat to the finish but we held off by a couple of boat lengths to win. We were very very happy.

The third race was back to reality. We got an okay start and rounded the windward buoy in the mid twenties. We were doing okay with me trimming the spinnaker because Timothy was too tire and slow. Then a jury boat came over and whistled saying I was pumping the spinnaker. I think that is nonsense as I was only pulling it in to stop the luff from flapping and with the gusty wind and direction changes over waves that needs to be done constantly. But there is no point in arguing with the jury, I just wish they had enough experience in small dingies to know that you can't sail them in a straight line and watch the top third slowly collapse before sheeting in a bit. Anyway we did our 720° turn penalty and kept on to finish 34th.

The wind was by now quite strong and we were keen to get home. However, were we told the committee wanted to run a four to race. We were able to start at the left side of the line again with few boats around us. We were just behind my WA rivals Simon and Sidonia Barwoord. Over the first windward leg we lost about 25 boat lengths to Simon but that space was filled with around 20 boats. Simon rounded in the lead but they had broken their spinnaker pole in the third race and could keep up with the top guys.  We didn't fly the spinnaker either but didn't lose out because of it. About 250m to the leeward buoy we needed to gybe onto port. I did it in a lull but somehow got the balance wrong and we capsized. Timothy was stuck above the centreboard and slow to get out so the boat tipped completely upside down. It took a little while to get it up and then it blew over again while I was trying to get in. We must have been back in the flurries by now. About three quarters of the way to the windward mark the pin in the gooseneck fitting, that holds the boom onto the mast, came out. I got Timothy to steer while I dropped the sail a bit, let the foot tension off and got the pin half back in. This was working but in no time the sail pulled out of the mast track and wasn't held forward. So Timothy took the helm again an I tied the clew to the mast using the loose end of the foot tensioning rope. It didn't look good but sailed better than I expected. We caught two or three boats on the trapezoid, mostly who had capsized or lost control, to finish 60th.

Once back on land we packed up and had a shower. There was a supper and ceile with a local Irish dancing school on at the club. It was great but I was too tired and left for bed at 9:45PM. The boys followed shortly after.

Day 56 - Lough Derg races 3 & 4

Today was not a good day. There were three races scheduled. It took about an hour to get the first race underway. Firstly it was postponed with less than a minute to go. Then there was a general recall then we got a start but then race was abandoned because the start linen was so biased. Then another general recall and then another race was was abandoned half way down the first beat due to a big shift. We finally got away in 15 - 20 knots. I pulled all I could on the boom vang, Cunningham and foot tension but it still wasn't enough for me to be able to sail properly.

The second race got away without problems but we had a poor start. I am being too nervous of the black flag and leaving room to windward for boats to slip in and take away my wind. The wind was stronger than the first race and the problems worse. We tipped in twice with badly executed gybes. Neither cost us much time but the boat full of water slowed us down.  On the second capsize at the leeward mark I noticed that the jib halyard was hanging out of the self bailer. I asked Timothy to pull it out but he misunderstood and pulled it out of the cleat and the jib started to come down. Timothy handled the spinnaker very well and although all he wanted to do was go home he toughed it out.

After about 15 minutes of waiting after the second race, the PRO decided to abandon the third race for the day. This was just as well for us as the Cunningham rope broke and the main sail started coming out of the track. Then the luff tensioning rope for the jib snapped as well. So we would have had big problems fixing both. In the end we had to get towed in because I couldn't turn the boat around to get into the beach.

If sailing was always like this I wouldn't bother. Here's to a better day tomorrow.

Da y 55 - Lough Derg races 1 & 2

Today started off dry but a little rain came around 10AM. The first race was scheduled for 11:30. Most of fleet left the beach more than an hour early when we were still getting ready. We were last off the beach and still had more than half an hour before the start to get a feel for the wind. It was blowing around 18 knots and fairly steady.  About 7 minutes before the start I got tangled up during a gybe and we capsized. We quickly got up and other self bailer drained thee water before the start.

We got off okay and half way down rt he first windward leg we were probably in the top 15. Then I got tangled up again in a tack and we tipped over again. This time it seemed to take ages to get rid of the water and we lost at least 20 places. The same thing happened on the next windward leg and we lost another 20 places. I'm having trouble changing from transom sheeting where you tack facing backwards to forward sheeting where you tack facing forwards. When I get it wrong I end up in a knot and not able tho move quickly enough. In the end we finished 63rd.

The second race was much better. We started near the port end tacked fairly early and kept on up the right side of the course. We rounded the first and second marks in third place. The courses were a "sausage" then a trapezoid and short windward to the finish. I messed up the first 300m of the next windward and slipped to 6th but we were able to maintain that to the finish.

While Timothy and I were out sailing, Kate, another WA sailors wife, looked after Michael with two of her girls and the Barwood's little boy. They all had a great time from the sounds of it.

After the race we quickly packed up the boat an headed for a shower to beat the queue. Then we relaxed and waited for presentations before helping to set out tables and chairs for the supper do that was on this evening. When that was done Simon and Donna Bar wood, other WA sailors offered to take us to the house they are renting for coffee and a play. They have a lovely house and its a different world from camping.

After dinner all of the children ran around outside for about an hour before I pulled mine in to get ready for bed.

A mixed day that showed up the problems but not the solutions. Hoping for lighter winds tomorrow.

Day 54 - Lough Derg first day of sailing

Today was the practice race followed by the parade and opening ceremony. I had hoped that we would be able to get out to Bunratty Castle which is about an hours drive away. But there was a 12 briefing that put pays to that.

As the race approached the rain came down more and more. In the end they delayed for about an hour to let a thunderstorm pass an the wind settle. It had swung around 180° twice. When we're were finally let out we were first on the water. We wanted to learn how to use the spinnaker with the pole launching system. Timothy seemed to manage well enough although we did drop the guy out of the spinnaker pole hook a few times.

The start line was west quite a long way from the club. The first start was abandoned at the last minute which was a shame because we were well positioned. The second start had as general recall which was good because we we way too far back. The third start used the black flag (if your over the line in the last minute its instant disqualification). We got a pretty good start towards the pin end and were in the top quarter of the fleet for a while. This swapped to the back quarter with a big wind shift and then back again when strong wind came in with a 180° wind shift. We rounded about 15th but the race was abandoned soon after and we ended up getting towed home.

After packing up and showering we got our new Australian uniforms and got ready for the parade. This was led by a pipe band followed by each country in order of distance away. Therefore the. Australian were in front. The parade around the village went much better than I expected with spectators dotted all around the route. This was followed by opening ceremony speeches and a supper.

Not a bad day but everything is wet or damp.

Day 53 - Lough Derg

I woke around 6:30 and got up a little after 7AM. I had a shower which was cold despite there being hot water at the sink. I'll have to figure the tap out.

When I came out the boys joined me and I decided to move it over to the Australian parking area. On the way I asked if Michael would like to go out for a sail. He did so I suggested we have breakfast out on the water. Timothy decided to come to so we got our cereal and got into sailing gear and set off. The wind was light and steady and the water very still. It was a very nice way to start the day.

When we returned it was time to get started on measurement and registration. Most of the measurement had already been done with the exception of the buoyancy test and the sails. It took a while to get hold of the sails we will be using and while they all measured okay, the main had ton have the IRL letters removed and should have AUS letters stuck on but these are still coming from a UK sailmaker.

I was hoping to sail this afternoon but we still have to figure out how to rig the spinnaker pole and Timothy wasn't keen. Its been drizzling pretty much all day and the wind is too light for us to learn much anyway. Thankfully its not cold.

We drove back to Nenagh, the town around 7km away mid afternoon. We shopped for thongs (flop flops) and a few groceries. We also found a book for Michael to read but couldn't find the next Harry Potter book for Timothy which brought out a few tears. I think he is very tired.

Tonight there is a dinner on at the club and the lady doing the catering seems very keen to feed us some nice fish some are looking forward to something nice.

Day 52 - Enniskerry to Lough Derg

We had decided to stay another day with Marjorie and Philip in Enniskerry. This gave us a bit more time to play with the car and go to the Wicklow waterfall which the boys loved.

Today we had another delicious breakfast and then the boys played with Rachel while I packed the car. We used the navigator to direct us and I'm sure it took a long way. Anyway, as it was cool and drizzling, we had no troubles with overheating. It was a pleasant enough drive on the motorway but we didn't see as much of the countryside as I would have liked.

We arrived at Lough Derg around 3PM. The cub is in a little village called Dromineer which has a small shop, a cafe and a pub. The club itself has quite a lot of land and a whole field for camping in. We asked around and found the boat we are chartering from the Irish Mirror Association. Its is the new shape in an attractive light blue shade. Luckily we had asked Kevin Hickey, the presidents husband and he has been very helpful finding sails and ropes.

We took a wander around and found the playground which is next to the cafe and very close to the club. The boys played in waves of drizzle while I enjoyed a cup of team and a scone in the cafe. Around 6:30PM we headed to the pub for dinner. The boys were tired but that didn't stop the silly nonsense at bed time. That was the last time we try them sleeping together.

Days 48 to 51 - Enniskerry

It took a while to get off the ferry in Rosslare. Once off the next step was passport control where a Garda officer asked us to wait out of the line because we didn't have EU passports. However, this turned out to be just until the chap with the correct stamp could mark them. Then it was to customs control. The lady there asked in disbelief if I'd brought the car all the way from Australia. I could see she was thinking that she should really ask the difficult questions and perhaps inspect the car but instead she smiled and said "Oh go on then".

We drove the Wexford and stopped for lunch and internet at MacDonald's. From there I tried a couple of shops for flasher units getting one at a tractor shop. Then it was a fairly easy drive to Wicklow where it took a long time to get a SIM card for my telephone so that I could call Philip and Marjorie Mold who we were planning on visiting. Marjorie is a relative of my mothers. We arranged for Philip to guide me up to their house from Enniskerry village.

There we were welcomed by Marjorie and one of her daughters and grandchildren. Over the afternoon the families of their three children came. I wont try to name them all as I'm bound to get it all wrong. My two boys joined in with the grandchildren and had a great time exploring the grounds and playing on bikes.

Then next day Philip and I got some radiator flush and tried unsuccessfully to get another flasher unit as the first had already burned out. I also bought a SIM card for the tablet computer in Bray. After lunch we gave the radiator a good clean out with a pressure cleaner and put the cleaning agent in.

On the Wednesday, the boys and I took a train into Dublin. We wanted to buy wetsuits and buoyancy vests for the sailing next week. It took a while to find the first pair of shops who's wetsuits were adequate but not comfortable. Then we had lunch and bought tickets for a tour later in the afternoon. We then got back on the train and headed to Sutton where there is a dinghy staining supplier. To get to the shop we were advised by a couple of old men that the best way would be to scale the cemetery wall and go up to the main road. They advised the boys to be quiet in the cemetery as they didn't want to wake those resting.

The chap at the shop, Shane, had already left the shop but another customer persuaded him to open up again to sell him something so we came in as well. Shane knew exactly what we wanted and soon had us trying on wetsuits that were just as warm but more flexible than those we had tried before. These were more expensive than those in Dublin but not by so much. I also got some rope for a jib sheet, a snap shackle and four ordinary shackles in case we needed them and Shane popped in some 2mm spectra and insulation tape before dropping us back k at the train station..

We were running late for the bus tour by the time the train returned to Dublin. We rushed back to the pick up point and made it with perhaps a minute to spare. The tour is called Viking splash tours and instead of busses they are conducted in world war two American amphibious vehicles. Everyone in the bus has to wear a Viking horned hat and the first thing the tour guide does is instruct us on how to do the Viking roar which we do, on his command, at unsuspecting pedestrians and cafe patrons throughout the city. The commentary is fun but the highlight of the trip is taking the vehicle into the water. This is done at a man made basin that lies between the Grand Canal and the River Liffey. It doesn't last long but its fun. From there we walked back to catch the train to Bray where Philip kindly brought us back.

We drained out the radiator cleaning agent and flushed it out with the pressure cleaner. We hoped to see lots of scale or sludge as this would explain the overheating. There was some but not that much. I then started fiddling with the indicators. I replaced all of the bulbs in case there were causing too much resistance but the problem persisted. On checking the wiring I found that the bullet connection used on the front right side had been replaced by modern crimp on connectors. These don't quite fit into the old sockets and so the connection had only been held together by the rubber surrounding the socket. I will replace this with a spade connection and see if it solves anything.