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Date: 07-08-2010 17:59

Well here we are with the last update!

It's been an amazing week with loads of new experiences for all of us. We've had a great time away from the day to day rush of everyday life and learned new things about ourselves and each other.

We've had an easy day today with a little wandering around the shops and a light lunch. I've had yet another doze on deck in the sunshine (yes I had my coat on still as it's not warm!) and this evening we'll be having our final meal on board before an early night.

Our taxi arrives at 05:30 tomorrow morning to pick us up and take us to Cork airport where we'll catch the flight to Gatwick. Carl has arranged for a taxi to bring us to Southampton and then it's the Red Jet home.

I was going to use the tracker to show our journey home but you'll all be in bed or at church so I think that'll be a waste of time!

Thanks to everyone who has followed our journey and especially to those who have emailed us and prayed for us. We're all looking forward to getting home and seeing our loved ones although it'll be sad to leave the Celtic Mist. At least she'll only be tied up for a day or two as Connor is taking her out again!

Love from us all
the intrepid (slightly smelly) explorers.
Mike

Date: 06-08-2010 15:04

Well we've finally made it!

We pulled into Dingle harbour which was a challenging sailing experience as the dredged channel is quite narrow. We were escorted into port by Fungie the local seal who swam and jumped next to us. After having tied up against the pier we were asked to move to a proper berth which was somewhat difficult as the wind was blowing us back onto the pier. Captain Rick managed to get us safely transferred with minimal damage to ship and crew!

Once in harbour I made a beeline for the shower block (much to everyone's delight) but had to sweet talk a lady for a shower token as I had no Euros with me! It was a five minute blast of hot water which was luxurious and, don't worry, I paid her back!

The crew then headed into town where we found a cashpoint and an American diner where we ordered enough food for a rugby team. Suitably filled we wandered back to the boat where we began the unenviable task of scrubbing the decks and generally cleaning up. after all, Connor is on his way.

We're being joined on board tonight by two guys who are doing a round Ireland rib race tomorrow so they'll be off at 4am (oh joy) but Dave has gone home now (well he has been home for a few days!) so there should be space on board.

This evening I expect we will head into town again and see what Dingle has to offer. Tomorrow we will be sightseeing as I think we've earned a break! I will try and send an update tomorrow evening when we might have an idea of how we're getting to Cork on Sunday.

Mike

Date: 05-08-2010 19:00

We've just made it back to the boat after an exciting adventure!

We moored up next to Inishvicklane Island and rode the slowly deflating tender to a small landing place carved into the rock. After using an ancient, rusty hoist to pull the tender out of the water we had to climb some perilous stairs which were a mixture of stone, concrete and grass with wooden edges. The climb was exhausting with a final struggle up the grassy slopes of the island.

We found Connor's house and managed to get inside where we found a luxurious hideaway complete with out of date milk and moldy meat! After a small clean up we managed to have a cup of tea (an English essential) before some of the crew went for a walk. During their stroll they made a ceremonial planting of a seed and a cutting which were brought from somewhere else!

After the walk we had the obligatory game of scrabble during which Sam managed to get into three figures at last (well 100 points so he just made it!).

As we were playing the fog rolled in until it was blowing through the front dooe of teh house. We set off in the pouring rain and thick fog and tried to find the top of the steps down to the boat. We arrived somewhat exhausted and very wet. The heater is on and Rick is cooking so it should be another good evening.

Off to Dingle harbour tomorrow!

Mike

Date: 05-08-2010 4:17

After a short crossing we have just moored to a bouy at Inishvicklane island. There are stairs carved into the rock all the way up the side of the cliff up to the house. This should be fun!!!

Some of the crew got off this morning to have a full Irish breakfast. The rest of us had hot dogs prepared by Rick while the boat was swinging from side to side and back and forwards.

The crew are just unloading the tender so that we can go to explore this deserted island! Well Connor isn't home at the moment!

More later
Mike

Date: 04-08-2010 6:56

Evening all!

We've just arrived at the tiny fishing port of Portmagee off Valentia island.

We had a fantastic day sailing through windy conditions with some surprising experiences on the way. At one point we were being followed by several doplhins who swam along beside us and jumped out of the water in pairs.

We also managed to squeeze the boat through Puffin sound which is at least a few inches wider than the boat is. Wait till you see the pictures.

Early this morning Sam decided to start the day with a swim which was brave (or foolish) and he wasn't in there for long!

Tomorrow we may head over to the Skellig islands which used to be an early christian settlement.

We're off to the pub now to sample the local culture and present ourselves as ambassadors for the Apex church!

Mike

Date: 04-08-2010 9:45

Hi all

We've had a very relaxing evening in a lovely bay of Clear Island. We had a walk to a local pub for a quite Irish pint (OK I had a lager!) followed by an impressive meal on board.

Our crossing from the Scilly Isles was fairly lively but not as bad as it could have been so we made it OK. It was a nice sight to see the Fastnet rock sticking out of the sea!

This morning Sam decided to go for an early morning swim! Fool! Dave produced a lovely fried breakfast before we set off for the Skellig islands. We might not make it but we can always drop in somewhere else. I won't be sending any pics back as the call costs are quite expensive now but I will try and keep up to date.

Thanks to everyone for all your emails and support.

Mike and the crew 

Date: 02-08-2010 3:58

We've just left the Scilly Isles after a lovely day in the sun and using real showers!

We're all refreshed and ready for the longest leg of the journey. We'll lose the phone signal soon so the tracking will stop until we reach Ireland in about a day and a half.

Thanks for reading the updates and I'll let you know when we get back online.

Mike and the crew.

Date: 02-08-2010 8:38

Day 4 and the housemates are all asleep!

It's dawn here and the view is completely different from when we arrived last night. The sun is hining, the sea is calm and everything looks wonderful.

We've had scrambled egg on bread for breakfast. It would have been toast but we couldn't get the generator started. Oh well. I like bread!

Some serious discussion has taken place about how much two stoke oil to put in the tender's outboard and when that's done,. we'll be heading ashore for a look around.

Mike

Date: 01-08-2010 20:30

It's 20:30 and we've arrived in the Scilly Isles. We've moored up betwen Tresco and Bryher in a gorgeous little channel. We sailed through thick fog and suddenly the islands appeared like in some old horror film!

It's been a long day but bearable now that we are working in watches so we get plenty of sleep.

We'll probably be staying here for a while so we might explore some of the islands tomorrow and see what they have to offer.

What's for tea tonight? Well I expect it will be one of the curries brought by Carl so we'll be fed well again.

Date: 01-08-2010 3:38

Good morning all, it's 3:30AM and we've left Dratmouth with Carl at the helm. Rick's produced the first cuppa of the day which was very welcome. The sea is flat calm at the moment and the moon is clear so we can see for miles. It's a very sunny day but unfortunately it's dark so we can't see it!

We're aiming for the Isle s of Scilly today,
Mike

Date: 31-07-2010 18:38

We've arrived safely in Dartmouth after a long day crossing from Totland Bay. All the crew look a bit more human now the boat has stopped! We're at anchor in the top end of Dartmouth with some deciding whether it's worth calling a water taxi to head for shore or stay on board. Look's like it's chilli for supper.

Dartmouth is gorgeous with loads of photos taken so look out for updates.

Date: 31-07-2010 15:51

Hi all,
We're cruisng along towards Dartmouth at the moment and all is well now we've had some delightful corn beef sandwiches!

Although Warren and Carl succumbed to a dodgy stomach at first, Carl is up and about and even Warren is talking although not so sprightly as normal. Alan decided he didn't like the water he drank and threw it up over the side!

We might stop at Dartmouth or Salcombe tonight and have a decent night's sleep as we didn't get much last night. The anchor kept dragging in Totland Bay so it was a restless night for some. I, of course, slept like a log so was the only one looking refreshed this morning at 0300! Where's my 8 hours sleep?

The sea is fairly calm but lively enough to make walking around a challenge and we're steaming along at about 6-7 knots. The weather was rubbish this morning but brightened up a bit towards mid morning. This afternoon has been grey and miserable but at least it isn't raining....yet!

Regards,
Mike

View all the pictures here
http://twitpic.com/photos/theapexchurch