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Preparing to cut out the new bulkhead.
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The new mast hog. The ply used was once part of a very old floor out of an inflatable! Real quality marine ply.....
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Well, the cover is off 7623 and work has recommenced!
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First Ray caught

Mulroy produced my first Kayak caught fish in the form of a nice Thornback Ray. I actually landed 3 Rays and a Dogfish over the weekend so was well pleased. The craic was good despite the not so perfect weather!

Hunt for the great Raymondo...........

Off to Donegal with the Yak for the weekend to target thornback rays..............should be a laugh as quite a crowd going. I really need to break my Yak angling duck :-)

I hate sickness....

Was planning a Yak trip for Seatrout tomorrow, tides right,wind right,temp right so guess what happened over the weekend.............yes, another bloody chest infection has set in and I feel lousy. I daren't risk it with my asthma or I could well end up with Pneumonia or worse. Antibiotics arriving shortly so postponing the trip until Friday. This exact same thing happened the last time I had a trip planned in near perfect conditions..........still, it could be worse as my pal Andy is currently battling through a session of Chemo. Keep it going buddy!

Long time

Well it's been a while since I was here. I have been very busy with renovating and moving house and quite simply have not had time for anything else! With the lighter evenings etc I can now think about continuing on with a few projects which were mothballed last year, 505-7623 being one of them. I need to repair the Optimist for the boys too to try and encourage them back onto the water. I hope to get out in the Kayak next week for a spot of fishing weather permitting. It's Seatrout time of year and I have never caught one. As for my Geneaology projects.......well........the house stuff had to take priority so it looks like next winter before any work can be done on that. Summer's coming and lots to do....

New Zealand

Having returned recently from the Antipodes I must say what a wonderful country New Zealand is. Stunning scenery, nice climate and a society which has not yet degenerated into a UK type of nanny state full of dole bludging wasters. Virtually no rubbish or graffiti and thousands of square miles of forested mountains...............bliss. 

Inactivity

What with moving departments at work and all associated things, visiting New Zealand for 3 weeks, buying and renovating the new house, Billy awaiting a heart by pass and me just generally not having enough hours in the day, no work whatsoever has been carried out on 505  7623. It looks like it will be springtime before any resumption of works.

Rain rain go to Spain....

I am now getting really annoyed with the weather! Every bit of time off I have it seems to rain.................I love summer don't you? Have a shed load of work to do to the 505 and have no shed to do it in! Very frustrating..............

505 Rebuild

New mast step underway. Shimmed and fitted next to CB case. Making up the mahogany cheeks next for the blocks etc. New section of CB case top being made and then its time to cut the new bulkhead .... It's actually quite fun doing all this but the weather is very frustrating. If it was inside the job could be done quite quickly.
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505 Rebuild

Work on the 505 is very slow due to too many wet days and no sign of any let up next week. Completion is more likely to be 2011 at this rate! At least rebuilding of the mast step has begun having dug out all the old one now right back to the CB casing.
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My new project......lost treasure

I obviously have far too much time on my hands (not)! Having recently spotted this 505 Dinghy on a website and realising it was the boat that I admired the most in the 80's at RNIYC, 7623 "The Treasure of The Sierra Madre", I have purchased it and begun it's restoration. Unfortunately it has been sadly neglected and requires considerable work to replace rotted timber and carry out a comprehensive rebuild. It's a shame as the boat has done very little work in it's lifetime so the hull/tanks have no stress fractures at all. I am hoping to have it ready for the middle of August....time will tell.

And that's just the start! 

I still have to do some work on the thwarts and fillets around the CB case and also sort out the floor at the transom where there is damage and water seeping out. A few holes to drill to allow drying to take place........not to mention putting it all back together again with hundreds of £'s worth of timber/epoxy/finishes and completely re-rigging the boat! Centreboard (gybing) and rudder to be repaired and refaired.......bailers to be serviced....everything inside to to be repainted and the hull outer touched up here and there and buffed...

Hmmmmmmm......August 2011 perhaps! Oh, I nearly forgot to mention new road trailer wheels/tyres......

Sponsorship Update

£1727 to date. I don't really anticipate any more than this and still have some collecting of pledges to do before passing the proceeds to the Charity. Thanks very much to all who have donated! It's been tough but fun.

Sponsorship Update

I have personally raised £1617 so far. I am not sure what Andy has raised but I think it is something similar. We are still accepting payments!

Arrival Killaloe

After a pretty horrific trip from Dromineer through squalls and cross winds we have decided, after 210 miles and 66 hours 39 minutes paddling time that enough is enough. The target was no less than 200 miles. We averaged 3.2 mph for the trip which is very good for fully loaded sit on tops with no rudders. Bodies are aching and the minds are numb (no change there then) so that's it folks, the end, no more, le fin. Thanks to everyone who has supported us financially and otherwise, it is all very much appreciated. Looking forward to a comfy bed tonight and no paddling tomorrow!
Fenton, Andy and Caoimhe the kayaking dog!
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Day 12

Have left Dromineer in the rain and a gusting South Easterly which is more manageable than yesterday. About 18 miles in total to the finish.....
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Arrival LDYC

After a very hairy last 3 mls When the conditions went from ideal to horrific in about 5 mins (typical Lough Derg) we have eventually arrived at Lough Derg Yacht Club. Rigged up some Yak transport to the nearby campsite! Very glad to have made it this far in one piece :-) 27 mls today....another 13 mls or so tomorrow will take us to Killaloe which may end up being the finish line for us. We need to make enquiries ref the Ardnacrusha canal and lock to see if we can make it to Limerick city.
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Derg

Approx 5 mls to Lough Derg YC at Dromineer. Hard going with a wind shifting around West to SWest. Right paddle correcting all the time....sunny though and it could be a lot worse!
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Lunch stop

Stopped for a snack at Portumna Bridge. Heading off shortly into Lough Derg to tackle the last major obstacle of the trip. Hope the weather holds up....
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Day 11

After some very heavy rain earlier we are now setting off for the Lock and Portumna before hopefully entering Lough Derg. Won't know what the wind situation is until we get there. Derg is a law unto itself.
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Night stop

After a tough but necessary 27 mls today we have set up camp south of Banagher. Both of us are wrecked...early night on the cards. Tomorrow morning will take us through Victoria Lock and its about 11 mls from here to Lough Derg. Should be into it by lunchtime weather permitting. We will try to make it to Lough Derg Yacht Club at Dromineer but it will be a tall order if the winds stay from the South.
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Shannon Bridge

Arrival at Shannon Bridge for some supplies. Very difficult today between high heat to start followed by headwinds which are building. Looks like a front coming in. Physically and mentally tired which will make the next 10 miles or so a nightmare :-(
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Day 10

Sunny with a light south westerly which is bound to build when we get on the water! Heading for Athlone Lock and onwards to Banagher. Hope/need to do 25 mls today no matter what...
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Sunset on Lough Ree

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Arrival LRYC

Arrived Lough Ree Yacht Club. Going to set up here for the night as both exhausted after a really tough day. The bad news is that the Club Bar opens at 20:00 hrs ! Head for Athlone lock tomorrow morning when it opens at 09:00 hrs. Looking forward to a shower and a shave...
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Wind effing wind

First 2-3 miles today straight into steady force 4 with steep narrow trough waves....really tough and a bit scary to be honest! Yaks are top heavy with all the gear we have + Caoimhe the dog! Thankfully it has eased a bit now and having a tea stop at Millstone Point. Hoping now for a 11 mile straight paddle to the river mouth at Lough Ree Yacht Club.
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Day 9

Setting off into Lough Ree. Moderate headwind,hopefully won't strengthen otherwise its a dash to shore! Sunny and warm though showers forecast. Need to do 27 miles today to catch up. Achievable? We'll see......
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Night stop

Owing to serious headwinds gusting to force 5/6 we had to stop 6 miles short today. Set up camp at Lanesborough. Too dangerous to venture further into Lough Ree. Bodies not in good shape after that paddle!
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Day 8

Setting off in an hour or so towards Termonbarry Lock and onwards into Lough Ree. Could be tough as there is a bit of breeze outside the tent. Need to do 20 mls minimum today.
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Camping on the Shannon

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Halfway

With our arrival at Roosky we are now halfway through the trip. :-)
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Arrival Roosky for the night

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Cooling off

Andy and Caoimhe cooling off in Lough Boderg!
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Lunch stop

Stopped about a mile past Carrick on Shannon for a snack. Beautiful day though stiff breeze against every so often. At least the flow is with us now. Andy's latest mishap (yes there's been a few) is his cooker solvent has leaked all over his clothes and chocolate supply....trying hard to stifle a chuckle :-)
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Day 7

Bad reception down here so may not be able to update as often as I would like from now on. Day 7 now, 92 mls done so far so by end of today we are halfway there. In Leitrim stocking up. Weather warm and dry. 20 odd miles to do now to Roosky.
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Camp

Set up for the night 2 miles short of Leitrim due to 2 locks not working for us which meant portage of all gear and yaks....no fun when you're knackered! Early night I think. Big miles to do tomorrow.
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Stop off

Stopped off at Keshcarrigan for a snack, shower (much needed) and to wash a few clothes. Have another 8 miles and 8 locks to do today. Will be setting up camp late tonight.....
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Day 6

After a very heavy rainfall most of the night the river will be harder going today as we are still against the flow for about another 5 miles or so until it switches in our favour. Slightly later start this morning as we have only approx 12 miles to do today but 9 locks to pass through which will be time consuming. Forecast ok for today though still a stiff gusting breeze. Next stop is beyond Leitrim for tonight.
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Set up for the night south of Ballinamore. Pouring with rain but we are in good cover with plenty of supplies! Might be a late one :-)

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Ballinamore

Arrived in Ballinamore. Stocking up at Supervalu and first food of the day from the chippy! Very hungry..... A few more miles to do before we set up for the night. Saw a lovely Kingfisher earlier on the Ballinamore canal. About 77 miles in total so far :-)
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Arrival Skellan Lock.

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Off again.

Setting off now for Ballinamore via Lake Garadice. Windy and cooler. Not a great sleep last night :-(
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Camp for the night 3 miles south of Ballyconnell. Fed and watered and some nice Trout rising in the river....Andy is getting the fly rod set up.

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Arrival Ballyconnell after an eventful but enjoyable day! Locks and Yaks.....not a good mix ....survived to tell the tale though and the fact that Germans were involved didn't amuse Andy.

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Left the Share Centre in a stiff Northerly breeze. Hard work first thing! Heading now for the Woodford River and the Shannon-Erne Waterway. Another Nav error has added 3 miles or so! Wind behind, sun shining :-)

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Set up at holiday share centre. 25 miles today, very tired and sore! Heavy rain mostly but light winds thankfully. A hot shower has fixed me and the Carlsberg is numbing the aches! Lots more donations received, THANK YOU! Keep them coming!

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Carrybridge for lunch. Great steak! Another 7 miles to the night stop. Wish the rain would stop!

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