We’d been at the Royal Cork, Crosshaven for a week of adverse winds, too strong winds or downright foul stormy weather; we’d meant to stay just one night. The ladies in the office were lovely extending our stay each day. Finally departed last Wednesday afternoon after the storm on Tuesday though we probably shouldn’t have – we hit a big swell as soon as we were out of the shelter of the Owenboy river, the seas were mountainous off the harbour entrance, some of the worst we’ve been in anywhere. We set just the small staysail to run eastwards along the coast, this gave us plenty of speed to get to the corner as the tide turned in our favour. But in the middle of the night the wind dropped, the sea calmed and we ended up motoring round the SE corner of Ireland and Tuskar Rock light and up the Irish Sea. All day in calm and sunshine as we motored north we heard a succession of small craft warnings for strong winds out out by the Irish Coast Radio stations – very surreal. The wind was just getting up as we anchored at midnight near Dalkey Island on the south side of Dublin Bay for a few hours sleep. We realised how sheltered our anchorage was when we left first thing next morning to cross a very choppy Dublin Bay, dodging the big tankers and ferries going on and out, then the few miles round the corner to the nice sheltered marina at Howth. And our early arrival gave us time to explore the town. Howth, apart from the smart yacht club, is all about fish – a plethora of wet fish/ fish and chip and Seafood restaurants all along the harbour. There are also some lovely cliff walks. Now waiting for weather (again) to carry on north.