From Ocean Racing to Sunday Sailing!

 

A Cháirde go léir, táim thar a bheith sásta teacht abhaile go Contae Chorcaí. Tá cúpla lá soar agam ón Rás Aéigin agus is breá liom mo scíth a ligint i dteannta mo cháirde i gCóbh. Tá an aimsir go hálainn , tá an fharraige mín agus tá an bád réidh  chun seoladh  amach i gCuan Chorcaí.

 

Well, Girls and Boys, I'm such a happy bear today! I have travelled south to my home town of Cobh in Co. Cork. I have a few days free from Ocean Racing and the hustle and bustle  of the Race Village in Galway. I  intend to make the most of every free moment. 

 

My first port of call is the Naval Base at Haulbowline. I can hardly believe it's almost nine months since I first set my eyes on a very new Green Dragon during the workup and preparation at the Naval Base site. I met Johnny Smullen  for the first time too - little did I know then what great friends we would become during the next few months as part of the Green Dragon Team.  The naval ships gleamed in the May sunshine and I felt very safe indeed. Maybe sometime in the future I'll go to sea with the Irish Navy!! The men and women of the Naval Service do such an amazing job protecting our exclusive fishery limits. I can see myself now zipping along at a top speed of 40 knots on a sea-rider on a top secret mission. James Bond ....move over!

 

I sailed in Cork Harbour's inner harbour and enjoyed the views of Monkstown, Rushbrooke and Cobh. Cobh looked amazing from the sea and even the pipe bands came out to greet me. (Not really - there was a pipe band competition in progress on the promenade. Such perfect timing!) I remember learning a poem about Cobh and I went a bit mushy in side.  It went like this :....

"And doesn't old Cobh look charming there,

Watching the wild waves motion.

Leaning her back up against the hill,

With the tips of her toes in the ocean." 

 

Trust me when I say that to own a bicycle in Cobh is either to be brave or foolish. Too many hills for me so I'll pass. In any case my little feet would never reach the pedals! River transport is the only way to go. We continued our journey to the mouth of Cork Harbour and anchored amongst the many yachts and pleasure cruisers in the beautiful sheltered cove of White Bay.

 

So off I went on my sturdy kayak to meet my many fans enjoying the fun and excitement of a great day out at the seaside. I was invited to sail with Leah . Eoin said I could try out the surf board and my special fans from Midleton were delighted  to share their dinghy with me .... even though we were definitely aground. Even Aisling and her brother took time out for a photo with me.

 

 After that it was time for a spot of sunbathing. Being a celebrity and meeting fans takes a lot out of a small friendly bear.

 

As I was returning to the boat I noticed a group of very hard working lads - the men of the RNLI were in the Bay  and I really wanted to say hello to them. And of course to thank them for the great work they do. I hope the Lifeboat Service never has to come to my rescue but if we all remember to be safe around water and always obey the rules for safety at sea, then we can help the men and women of the RNLI to carry out their work  in the best possible way.

 

Of course no day at sea is complete without the Roast of the Day. I left my fishing rod on board Green Dragon so fresh fish was off the menu. My hosts for the day on board "Soubrette", a 13meter Victory ketch,  presented me with mouth watering roast chicken, pops and salad. After all the rehydrated food I've been eating on the trans-Atlantic crossing, real food was more than welcome.

 

All that was left for me to do was to relax  on deck in the sunshine and wait for my clothes to dry out. I miscalculated my landing manoeuvre on the beach earlier and a wave caught me on the beam ... the obvious tumble into the cool waters of White Bay followed  and turned me into Sponge Bob!! (Not much difference to life on Green Dragon really!)

 

And so a great day ended. I must get a good night's sleep as I have a big day in school tomorrow. I'm off to see all the pupils of Walterstown N.S. and I'm dizzy with excitement. Theresa will meet the children and staff too and I can't wait to hear the questions they'll have for her. It should be such fun.

So, for now, enjoy the wonderful sunny weather but do take care. Remember to stay safe on the beach and in the water. Be sure to put on plenty of sunscreen and don't overdo the sunbathing.

Slán go fóil,

Bhur gcara, Pádraig.