After 700 miles the cruising is becoming much more interesting, as we
are among islands and passages between instead of steadily passing
headlands to starboard. We are now getting some shelter from the
continual Atlantic swell, which makes 8 and 9 hour trips quite
physically tiring, but gives a real feel of being at sea when the
immediate horizon is the next big swell. After Inishmore we rounded
Slyne Head and made up the Connemara coast to the island of Inishbofin
for a good overnight anchorage. Then we island-hopped in the mist up
to the S end of Achill Island where, inside a narrow, twisting
entrance, we are in calm water on a visitor’s mooring just off this old stone tower. We have been fascinated by some of the names on the chart – here are just a few from the last couple of days …… Gubbinwee, Inishbiggle, Doonguddle, Inishgalloon and Carrickmoylenacurboga!