Two boats !

For two weeks we broke the rules, we bought another boat before selling the first. We found a lovely Westerly Warwick and fell for it. Martin and I sailed her home from Rush to Poolbeg, about 18 nm. Out past Lambay Island, outside Ireland's Eye and around The Bailey.

We got a good day with the tide helping us heading South and the Sun shone. In the picture below, we are passing the Rosbeg East Light, off the Bailey

She felt great. Sturdy and safe. We motored for the first hour, our little Lombardini diesel pushing well. The oil light came on, so we backed off and sailed the rest of the way to Dublin.

Back toward The Liffey, the swell rose from strong Easterlies but she rolled along beautifully. We came in past Poolbeg and up the river, dodging the big stuff coming behind.

We tied up and Martin insisted on a picture, Ok, just this once.

So for the next week, we had a flotilla of two on the Liffey, how did this happen ?

By next week, Smuggler was sold to a great trio of fellas who came for a trial sail. It blew 20 knots but little Smuggler handled it with two reefs and the small jib. Then Martin and I sailed her back around The Bailey to Malahide, about 16 nm. A real delivery trip, against the tide. At one stage, I looked at the Navionics on the tablet and even though we were sailing beautifully, it was at 0 knots. So on went the engine. The forecast was F6 later and going into Malahide, it was blowing.

I still love the red sails and will miss them, but she is gone to a good home and I hope both boat and crew look after each other.

Now, starting again to get to know a boat, checking every nook and crevice. It's our first boat with a diesel, so a new learning curve straight away. What fun.