Left Ardglass on Monday at 06.00 to no wind. Over the next hour or so it increased to F5-6 with gusting at 7. The good news was that it was either on or aft of the beam giving us a small taste of what Biscay and the Atlantic might be - a roller coaster. The sun shone most of the way and even Jeck (our wind vane self steering)seemed to like the experience. He is named Jeck after the standard Tarbert greeting "hoo ya daen Jeck hoos yer trum" (how are you doing Jack, hows your trim).

Arrive in Howth in 10 hrs at 16.00 to a very complicated berthing procedure and it went like a dream - Ardglass where is thy sting!!!. On arrival a local yachtie was chatting to us and, when we said we had just arrived from Ardglass he expressed surprise at how little time it took to get to Howth and as a passing comment said " but there F..K all to do in Ardglass"!

Woke yesterday to T shirt weather, did a few jobs on the boat and Gina preened the outside while Monty sunbathed. People here are very friendly. We have had plenty of advice on our journey down Ireland and across Biscay to Spain. One couple, after cooking a leg of Lamb for their dinner then gave us the remainder for Monty!!Hw thinks he is in Heaven not Howth!!

We are currently writing this blog on the banks of the Liffey in Dublin and expect to Head for Arklow on Sunday.

Thank you all for your comments on the Blog, it seems like our friends are with us all the way.