Mary: Thursday 1400 hours and we’re away. 254nm to Westport. Little wind, clear blue skies and a basking shark off Mull says goodbye – can you spot him in the photo? The weather changes, winds get up from the southwest 5, 6, then 7, seas are rough, we beat though the next 40 hours. On deck tied on, down below tied in. Wave’s crash along the deck, and occasionally a green wave lands in the cockpit, but Giselle carries on keeping up her average speed to 5.4 knots. David very kindly takes on a longer watch at night he sails for six hours non stop one night and eight hours the next, does he love me or not trust me!! I enjoy the extra sleep. By six in the morning the wind eases a bit and some dolphins come to play. What a great welcome to Ireland.

Westport or rather Mayo sailing club where we arranged to meet Rebecca, Peden and Camy, has visitor moorings so no messing with the anchor, a simple pick up onto the cleat, second line attached later.

Swimming was their priority when they arrived or was it the beer? Fishing, first thing on Sunday provided us with ample supper – Can’t remember how many they both caught, I’m sure Camy will leave a comment with the numbers, I know one got away from Peden and it was really big!

We had a cracking sail down to the island of Inishbofin, naturally the boys were not keeping a record of the fastest speeds or who was helming at the time. Although late when we arrived, still plenty of light to slip into the narrow harbour channel and put the anchor down.