suzy holden

A day of ‘lasts’!! Last night on the boat, last breakfast and then a lovely downwind sail from Lymington back to Portsmouth. Strange to see all our familiar landmarks - Spinnaker tower, Portsmouth harbour entrance and Portchester castle. Lovely to be welcomed at the lock by Jazzy and then we’re home! So now it’s also last post…. Thank you for all of you who waded through some of the entries, for the messages and all the well wishes along the way…. Hoping we get to see you all soon now that we are back on land!!

Had a great few days holed up in Salcombe with strong winds. Lots of lovely walks and mooching around town before getting the best surprise of a visit from my sister Jo who came and joined us for 24 hours! A long old motor through the night in a lumpy sea last night to finally reach the Needles which was a welcome sight! Now in Lymington catching up with Ed and MaryAnne before making the final push to home

Lovely day crossing from Falmouth to Salcombe in lovely sunshine and for the latter half perfect wind to sail with. Close up views of the Eddystone lighthouse and frequent visits from dolphins. Finally spent a long time sitting on the the rails enjoying the sunshine watching dolphins listening to music - perfect! Now on a buoy in a peaceful Salcombe ready to wait out the strong winds coming over the weekend

So we have made it back to the south coast! Had a nice day relaxing around Padstow and a walk up the river estuary. Set off from Padstow as soon as the gate opened so we could make all the tidal gates around Lands End and the Lizard. Lovely close reach to Lands End and then trusty motor took us the rest of the way. Treated to an amazing gannets dive bombing display and then beautiful seeing Longships against the moonlight. Arrived in Falmouth at 4.30am and happy to be here!

Headed off mid morning in lovely sunshine to sail down to Padstow. Lovely sail for most of it til the wind dropped and motored the last bit. Dropped anchor off Polzeath to wait until we can get into Padstow harbour at 3.30am!

Set off from Arklow just before dawn and then set off across the Irish Sea on one of the best sails we’ve had. Sunshine all the way and broad reach f4 blowing us steadily across with some dolphins along the way. Arrived at Dale and picked up a buoy before a quick supper looking with some dismay at the wind forecast for the next week! For now though enjoying having reached Milford Haven again which feels like completing a loop having set off from here more than 3 months ago!

Had a great ‘mini-break’ in Dublin packing in all it had to offer… visits to the Guinness Storehouse, the Irish Whiskey Museum and the highlight of Kilmainham Gaol. Added in the natural history museum and a brief stop at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland too! Back on the sea again as we headed south further along the Irish coast to Arklow. Nice wind behind us and a bit of swell the combination of which wasn’t great for the stomach but 4 1/2 months in to the trip and first bit of feeling sea-sick can hardly complain! Lovely sunset on arrival at Arklow to top off the day!

Quiet morning to wake up and early start to head down towards Dublin. Lovely beat down the coast and made good time past Howth so pushed on to Dun Laoghaire… who knew its pronounced ‘Dun Leary’!! The Irish live up to their reputation for a warm welcome! Windy for the next few days so heading to Dublin for a mini city break 😊

Flying visit back home for Matt’s 60th which was great fun! Left this morning to fly back to Ireland and immediately set off from Ardglass heading south. Initially nice gentle beat until the wind dropped and the rain came so a damp motor into Carlingford Lough. Odd to be in need of fans last night to full oilies today!!

Early start, beautiful sunrise, quiet anchorage with numerous birds and seals. Motor in flat calm to Ardglass to take first steps on N Irish shores! Lunch at golf course with ancient clubhouse and then chilled afternoon on the boat in the sunshine pre early start to fly home for a 60th!