Adventures on Xiphias

Delayed in port

I have been delayed by strong winds and continuous rain. The autohelm, which was working fine after its repair in Cork, has packed up completely due to the ingress of water into the controller head. As a consequence I have also lost access to the electric compass. I’ve been in touch with a service engineer in Cork who has something working but is unwilling to send it until he is satisfied with all the tests. I could sail on regardless and probably would but for the almost continuous rain and terrible visibility. I am glad not to be in the middle of a harbour swinging on a mooring or anchor chain with a wet row ashore. The marina berth in Dingle, although far more expensive, enables me to come and go several times a day as I please. I also benefit from a mains electricity supply. It’s a bit like caravanning I know, but the comfort and convenience when the weather has been so foul is a relief.

Tourist tours

Whilst being stuck I have taken the opportunity to take loads of tourist tours

• Valentia island. This was where the trans-Atlantic cables made landfall. Important to Britain, the island was retained by Britain as part of the 1921 Irish settlement.
• Blasket islands. Abandoned in 1953 they had been occupied for 6 thousand years, now left to the sheep, birds and seals. Before the evacuation many of the islanders were encouraged to write about themselves and their lives, these make fascinating reading.
• Slea Head archeology. The Dingle peninsular is dotted with 6th to 12th century monasteries of the Celtic tradition. Stone built without mortar, these enclosures and structures are know as beehives because of their shape. These people kept the Christian tradition alive during the Dark ages.
• County town of Tralee. I visited the Kerry county museum here. The town dates back to the 12th Century being founded by the Anglo-Normans. Things went well until the Century when the Earl of Desmond, who had become more Irish than the Irish raised the suspicion of the English authorities and eventually rebelled. 1580 was a bad year to be in Tralee. I was destroyed by the Earl lest it be of use to his enemies.
• I visited my aunt, 92 still living in her own home, fit in mind and body. It must be the  country life!

All this activity has helped deflect the frustration on not keeping going. I am beginning to suffer harbor fever and can’t wait to get going again.