Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - update 49

Tue 13.8.13: Bantry Bay, on passage from Portmagee to Glengarriff.




The dolphins' joyful antics brighten a grey day.





They leap and dive - effortlessly outpacing Stargazer.




They come out to play off Bull Rock.




We've beaten , close inshore, past Puffin Island...




...well inside The Skelligs; taking advantage of a light (F3) south westerly, and sub 1 meter ground swell, for some inshore pilotage.




We're bound for Glengarriff, an anchorage at the head of Bantry Bay. Should get in before nightfall; the breeze seems to be filling in a bit.


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Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - update 48

Mon 12.8.13: Portmagee




We're anchored in the channel, between the south side of Valentia Island and the Kerry mainland, at Portmagee - tucked in just below the bridge.




To port are neat stone cottages.




To starboard; are ranks of potting boats, rafted out from the quay; moored below the colour washed houses of the village.




Fungi gave us a farewell fly past, down our port side again, well inside Dingle Harbour. He met us off the dredged channel; shot past, black fin and back above the surface; rolled under water, showing his pale underside; and vanished; leaving the spotter boats circling hopefully. He's a big dolphin - getting on for the length of Stargazer, and almost jet black on top.





Harbour Superintendent, John,(who was educating me in the difference between an Irish Curragh and a Scilly Gig - it turns out that John is an oarsman of some renown); said, yesterday, that Fungi rarely enters the shallow harbour. The last time, it was to avoid a pod of Orca, hunting in the bay.





I keep my eyes peeled for the tall, blade like, dorsal fins, of Orca as we reach, fast across Dingle Bay. There are 17 knots of breeze on our quarter; blue skies overhead; and Stargazer is enjoying a romp, over the swell, after a week in harbour. We harden up under the lee of Bray Head; the hollowed out, wave worn, south west tip of Valentia Island.

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Location:R565,,Ireland

Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - update 47

Sun 11.8.13: Dingle.




A week has flown by, whilst I've revelled in the delights of....




.... this enchanting,




Gaelic,




port...





.... - so full of surprises.




Today, the wind has begun to veer west to north west. Tomorrow we put to sea.


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Location:Strand Street,,Ireland

Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - update 46

Sat 10.8.13: Dingle




The winner crosses the line, at Dingle Races; a victorious cry on his lips; delighted looks, on faces in the crowd.




The form has been analysed....




...and bets carefully placed.




For horse....




...and rider, the waiting is over.




Their pent up energy is released, in an explosive sprint.




The crowd savours the next race, with a joyful anticipation.




The horses thunder by, in a crescendo of movement sound and colour, hurling clods of turf high into the air.
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Location:Green Street,Dingle,Ireland

Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - update 45

Fri 9.8.13: Dingle




The stocky peregrine falcon, perched high on the sea wall, above me; radiates power and fighting prowess - like a victorious knight, strutting a medieval tournament field.




The regal hunter scrutinises the, crimson splashed, harbour; laid out, beneath his piercing glare.





Stargazer lies moored there; before the harbour side houses, and high green hillsides, of Dingle - her colours streaming in the breeze.




Meanwhile, at the harbour entrance, sun and cloud daub the seascape in light and shade. The patterns shift constantly - like the sands of time.

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Location:Green Street,Dingle,Ireland

Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - update 44

Thr 8.8.13: Dingle.




The head of this creek gives onto...




...lanes, aflame with wild flowers;




homely cottages;




cattle grazing, among castle ruins;




.... and the broad sweep of Ventry Bay, where...




...horses canter over white sands.

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Location:Grey's Lane,Dingle,Ireland

Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - update 43

Wed 7.8.13: Dingle.




Christian monks built their beehive huts....




....into the curving walls of Mainistir Riaisc (Reask Monastery)....




...which takes its name from the Celtic, Cloch an Riaisc (Reask Stone).




The Celtic inscriptions on the stone...




...co exist with Christian symbols.




Soaring green hills and broad sweeping valleys, to one side....




...and the might of the infinite blue ocean, to the other;




Swirling winds, open space and silence; make this a natural place of contemplation.
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Location:Strand Street,,Ireland