From the Azores to Ireland

We had some interesting fun during our Azores to Ireland leg, heres a short rundown-
The day that we were leaving I was feeling awful. I had some sinus thing going on since Bermuda- couldnt breathe through my nose, heavy mucus and dizzy. The day we were leaving it hit me really hard- I felt like I had a fever, high heart rate, plus all of the above. I called Dad and he said I probably had a sinus infection. Luckily I had a Z-pack with me and I took the first dose, two pills. The infection hadnt affected my appetite, and an hour earlier I had the "Special" at the marina cafe for a last meal on land. The "special" still makes me sick thinking about it. It was a bun with chicken, ham, sausage, an egg, a monster slice of cheese and french fries covered in cheese. It seems like it was all in a big pile. It was huge. Then I took the first antibiotic dose and we pulled out of the harbor at 8 or 9 pm. As soon as we make it around the eastern side of the island and start to head north, we get into the choppiest mess of an ocean imaginable.
My journal entry that night reads-

"7-24-08 11:31pm- Back on the sea. Rocking and rolling violently. Im going around putting things back in cabinets that have been thrown out. I cant sleep. Sinus infection or something that I seem to have had since Bermuda at least. I started the Z-pack today. Snot dripping everywhere, fever and serious sinus pressure. Were doing 1 knot. A wonderful start. (I was being sarcastic.) The ocean is a terrible roller coaster of emotions. And I want off for good."

Things got much worse before they got any better. I'll post past journal entries as I go through them. Today we found a reminder of how bad it really was.
We had some engine trouble during the last sail. I'll get into that in another post. We ended up sailing into the harbor here at Crosshaven, cranking the motor at the last moment possible because it was making such a racket. Today David found that there are six mounting bolts broken on the engine motor mounts. Thats all on the starboard side! We took such a pounding on the last leg that the motor was halfway broken loose. No wonder it was making a racket!

Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral

I found Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral but it was after visiting hours. I'll try again when Im in Cork again.
Ive been eating super healthy. Heres a sample- fried potato cake. Its like herb mashed potatoes battered in whatchama callit and deep fried. It was cold and lightly raining when I sat in the grassy square of Blarney and ate, after visiting the castle.

roots and such

Getting back to my roots.

Blarney Castle

Back in the day when school was at the top of the perpetually snowy hill, they didnt have these sissy safety bars.
The stone is on the bottom. I was sure to give it a really good lick and get a good mouthful of all the other tourist slobber on it. Looks like alot of people missed the stone and kissed the one above it. HA. No eloquence for you.

Ireland

Last night was the second night in the wonderfully flat waters of the Royal Cork Yacht Club.
The first local I met.

lava, beef, steeds

The islands were all volcanic. and are really interesting to crawl around on. Cows, clouds...what more could you need..
maybe a harness to tie myself down with. The funny pose is because of the madly strong wind.
Ze Steed.

evils of internet

I cant keep a connection long enough to post more pictures. If I cant get through tonight, there is a very small chance that I can post tomorrow. Im giving up for now; Im having a hard time staying awake. So its back to the boat for a last nights sleep on the smooth flat water of the harbor. Were sailing to Crosshaven, Ireland tomorrow afternoon. All today I stocked up on drink mixes, bars of chocolate, fruit and granola bars. I binged on yogurt, cheese and fruit today. Were hoping 15-18 days to Ireland.
Thanks so much for all the comments and e-mails! Im so sorry that I cant get to all of them. Internet time is really hard to come by, and most of it tonight has been spent trying to get some more photos up. Ive got about 700 pics now, and I cant wait to get more up. The Azores are beautiful. I rented a motorcycle today and drove all over the island, up to the top above the clouds where I spent some time with the local BOvines. I felt right at home.

Azores

early morning watches are my favorite. We didnt switch to GMT until we reached the Azores, so until then we were on ADT Bermuda time. It was fun/a little confusing when the sun would rise at 3am. This shot was at 4am. Youve never known true silence until youve been under sail on an Atlantic morning.and i have no idea why that was underlined, i couldnt change it..


Pointing at the MIDDLE OF THE ATLANTIC!! At first I typed "dead in the middle" but I can see how sailors have so many superstitions... heh
Some days the clothes were wetter coming off the line than going on
So far weve only caught one barracuda (I wanted to eat it, but Mike and David threw it over beore I had the chance. I guess thats a good thing because supposedly they carry some dangerous bacteria or something...Im sure it would have been the best tasting bacteria Ive ever had. Next we caught two Dorado at once. One got off the line, the other got in mah bellie.
LAND!! We saw Corvo on the 21st Day. It normally takes 18 days or so... we had winds on the nose probably 95% of the time. I talked to a guy today who made it in 15 days. But he burned 500 (not a typo) gallons of diesel on a SAILBOAT. And then "Willie", a Scotsman probably in his late 60's, made it in today. He left Bermuda on the 22nd of June. I think we left on the 27th. Willie sailed solo for something like 32 or 33 days, stuck in the Azores high pressure. Says theres something magical about sailing alone. Some days I understand that better than others, haha.

on the sea again

Were sailing for the Azores either tonight or tomorrow. Ive really enjoyed being in Bermuda for a few days, but it feels like the right time to move on.
Today for a last lunch on land, I had a baked chicken and a quart of Dunkleys chocolate milk. I drank another half gallon of milk last night in one sitting. Im trying to make myself sick of milk so that I dont cave it while Im on the boat. So far, its not working. But Ive still got another half gallon on My Star.
Weve been having some trouble with Parallel Windows and Virtual PC, trying to get the PC based program to work that allows us to e-mail through our HF radio. If we can get the software to work, we'll have e-mail on the boat! And if not, then this is most likely the last post for 20 or 30 days. Its supposed to take 20, but then the sail from Charleston to Bermuda was supposed to take 5-7 and took 10 with a few storms and days spent motoring without wind. Im telling myself 30, to cut down on chances of rising insanity when we dont make it after 20 days.
-Over and out-

macros and graveyards

Couple o churchyard macros



















Some parts of gravestones that I liked.



































The ants here dont bite. Not yet at least.














My nose has been in all the flowers.

Green!

Im trying to cultivate my fashion sense while Im here. Ill be bringing back a few pairs of these socks for sure. Makes me wish I wasnt allergic to shellfish..
King in his castle! I was tempted to re-create the cabana hotel photo, but dont have the disheveled look in full force yet.
Finally some open greenery to hide out in! Checking out the green flashless sunset. It seems like everywhere I walk the smell of the local flowers overwhelms me. Or it could be that my nose is just thankful for any smell other than 10 days of 4 guys without a shower all crammed into a TINY HOT sailboat cabin. None of us really noticed anything smelly...and that bothered us.

The Coast is gorgeous, really rocky in some areas, and beautiful white sand with a hint of pink from the coral in other areas. Astro turf beaches?
Hoping for the elusive green flash. While watching a sunset on an ocean horizon, if the conditions are just right a brilliant green flash can happen for a few seconds just at the moment that the sun dips out of sight. I havent seen one yet, but expect one before this trip is over!
Clear cool waters are always inviting for a snorkel or swim
Bermuda grass in Bermuda. heh.

Solid Ground

When we made it to customs in the morning we were greeted by an old man on a moped. He had a thick British accent and long hairs coming out of the front of his nose.I asked him where his favorite place to eat was (I think 90% of my talk for the past few days had been about tacos, ice cream sandwiches, and fried chicken) and he said "Mulligans". We found it at the top of the hill after much walking and had our first food that wasnt canned chicken, canned tuna, instant oatmeal or PB&J's. David, Kenny and I all go the special-I cant remember what type of fish, salad (tomatoes were another craving) and black eyed peas with rice and a side of fries. It was amazing, gone in 5 minutes or so, and I would have had another plate if Bermuda wasnt one of the most expensive places Ive been. We had $32 in tea alone for our table..
The breeze and view was worth the price though.


Dunkleys chocolate milk. Weve spent alot of time together, and know each other well. Ive downed at least two gallons since arrival, heh.

The Three Sailing Stooges in the town hall cabinet.



I found a few things that were more fun to explore than endless swells...




The first sight of land after 10 days. It normally only takes 5-7, but we hit a few spells of no wind and had to motor along at 2-3knots, and two or three storms that moved us around very quickly, just not in the right direction, ha. I was cold and wet and ready to try out my land legs, but we wouldnt get into port until after midnight, and then we had to stay in quarantine until we could go through customs the next morning. I was giddy and jumping up and down when I first saw land after only 10 days. Theres an 85% chance that I'll explode when we have first sight of the Azores.


The cold rainy afternoon turned into a beautiful sunset, there was even a rainbow on the other side.
















The Linda Lee, for Jeff and Linda.






The first sight of St.Georges the next morning. Flowers are everywhere, and every step fills you with their scent. Everything is intense and appreciated, Im reminded of the marathon runner who, when asked why he ran marathons, replied "Because it feels so good to stop running."


Right now I feel the same way about sailing!