My summer cruise to Southern Ireland was completed in July. After a pleasant stay in Padstow inner harbour onboard Thalmia, with Ruth, walking the coastline and meeting up with friends, I made the long passage west along the north coast of Cornwall and around Lands End. This time the conditions were not favourable for an overnight stop at St Ives so I pressed on “around the corner” and eventually, after just more than 11hours passage, dropped the anchor in sheltered waters outside Mousehole. I have passed by here before and it was really lovely to have good conditions to drop the hook here.
I was then back in very familiar cruising grounds and after stopping at the Helford, Fowey, Cawsand bay in Plymouth, and Brixham I arrived back in the Exe estuary.
All in all a very successful cruise, with help initially from crew getting to Cork and then singlehanded along the south and southwest coasts of Ireland and back home. A total voyage of some 940 Nautical Miles (the equivalent of about 1,100 land miles). Not bad for a 73 year old sailor!
Somewhat belatedly I have now finally put together 2 YouTube videos (so far!) of my adventures in Ireland this summer.
The first covers the “delivery” trip with crew.
https://youtu.be/NufeciHA-JM?si=kiGmHgLitbH91U7u
The second showcases some of the stunning locations – harbours, anchorages, headlands and rocky outcrops. Some excellent sailing but also a lot of motoring on flat seas! It includes some drone footage which gives a wonderful perspective on this beautiful area. It also includes some music from David Gray and David Gilmore which I love. If it’s not to your taste just turn down the volume and enjoy the views!
https://youtu.be/E26THXK4e20?si=d3RrnO0ZHBH_ewQo
A final episode will follow later with coverage of different harbours and anchorages visited on my return along the full length of the south coast of Ireland and back home via Milford Haven, Lundy Island, and Padstow. If you click and subscribe to the channel you can ask for notifications when the videos are released.
Oh and as I am completing this update Ruth and I are preparing to set off on a road trip to Ireland visiting part of the west coast which I didn’t manage to reach by boat! I’ll post some photos and videos of that when we get back.
Voyages of Thalmia 
Thanks for sharing Derek. How does the bilge keel version of the Fulmar sail? Do you see any noticeable lack of pointing or any advantages or disadvantages?
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I believe what I’m told that the bilge keeper looses a slight amount of speed and pointing ability to a fin keel boat but I think the difference is very small. Speed & pointing depends on so many factors such as sail age, shape and trim, hull cleanliness, prop type and the skill of the skipper(!). Bilge keels offer real advantage in accessing shallow anchorages & bays and I often take the ground in places like the Scillies. I wouldn’t trade my twin keels for a fin!
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Hello and thank you. I look forward to your videos. Places I know and places further afield I don’t.
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