Time to get started

Saturday 16th June and it is our first sail on Knocknagow this year. We had hoped to get started earlier but had problems with replacing a disintegrated oil filter. There was a "eureka" moment on Thursday when Paul, of Shannon Sailing, called to say the problem was fixed. It seemed to good to be true as we were afraid we might have had to replace the engine sooner than we had expected to.

Getting to Dromineer on Saturday was slower than normal as we had to bring up so much equipment for the first sail of the year. We wanted to pump out the holding tank when we got there, and this gave a great excuse to bring Knocknagow near to the car - hence, less carrying long distances.

You have never seen so many big spiders all in one boat.... As we took off the metal protectors from the windows they came at us from all directions. I bravely eliminated as many as I could get, with Ian brushing them away from the outside. I later cleaned the windows as they had made a terrible mess.

It took ages to do the pumping as the various connecting bits weren't connecting. However, we eventually got away at about 5pm. Rain started to fall and things were a bit gloomy, though the engine was making nice sounds and Brian had managed to turn Knocknagow beautifully in the harbour.

By the time we reached the far side of the lake the clouds had cleared and the wind had gone. We had intended to go to Dromaan as we had not been in to the new harbour for some years. However, the suspicious numbers of large cruisers heading that direction made us feel that maybe there was a party going on there. Indeed, this seems to have been the case, so another lively turning was accomplished by Brian and we headed off in the direction of Garrykennedy.

A look through the binoculars seemed to suggest that there would be space on the barge quay in Garrykennedy as most of the boats already there were moored on the finger jetties.

Just as we reached there two young teenagers in a rib waved at us and seemed to be in distress. They didn't have a bow line and it later transpired that it had gone under the boat and got caught in the prop. We lashed the boat alongside and reassured them that all was OK. They were brother and sister. The older one, the brother, had a speaking disorder so was a bit difficult to communicate with, and his sister was quite upset, perhaps being the one feeling the most responsible. They were a lovely pair and it was great to be able to help them. Their parents met us at the jetty, having seen them already alongside us and having come out on their boat to see if they could help too.

Once we were settled I took out the barbecue. It was mouldy, but heated up and cleaned up nicely, so we had a good meal of steak.

It was Leavy's first trip on the boat and she took it all in her stride. She looked as if she was going to jump off through gaps in the netting, but didn't actually go into the water. She was very excited. The other two acted as the older citiaens who knew the score.

It is a lot nicer in the living area without the big table. The upholsterer is coming within the next 10 days to put in leather seats, which should it make it very comfortable in there.

Our return to Dromineer was without incident, and was very quick on the glassy lake. Knocknagow is now tied up again safely, ready for our next visit, which I hope will be soon.