Cruising the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland
It's been a very busy month. Spring has sprung and we've been doing boat chores as quickly as we can. Fortunately, the weather has been relatively amazing here, with the Azores High reaching its tendrils up into our latitudes, and we are not complaining. Perhaps climate change is favourable, for Ireland at least.
One thing we do benefit from is the changeable conditions, because if you wait just a bit, they will change. And so it has been for the past few months over the winter. As the fierce rains and winds pummeled the coast, we worked on writing books. As the sun came out, we worked on the land and the sea, and the boats. And as soon as the rain and rainbows returned, we took to editing again. And so over the course of the winter, Alex wrote a new novel and I wrote a new book based on our travels along the west coast of Ireland.
Having sailed along the west coast for the past few years since we came over in 2008, we have a somewhat rare perspective on the west coast -- that of first time visitors and locals at the same time.
Most of the brave souls who traverse this wild Atlantic coast are locals who grew up with the intensely variable conditions, the remoteness of the region, the absence of other vessels, and the lack of conveniences and facilities. "When you grow up with something, it feels normal. It's all you know until you leave," a local adventurer once said to me. And it's interesting that there are so many adventurers from this region, perhaps because they have learned to deal effectively and respectfully with the elements that they are no longer so daunting as they may be to others.
Yet, it is the allure of remoteness and unspoilt seascapes that attracts visitors from distant shores in increasing numbers. They recognize when they arrive that this is land that has much to offer the lost soul and spirit. They recognize, too, that the people here are not as jaded by the complexity of city life. They are warm and welcoming. They know what is important. Life is real here. The elements have a way of reminding us of that daily.
We've been to these places and we've met these people. We wish to share our experiences with those who dare to come see for themselves.
Add to that the very interesting differences in how weather, sea state, and other conditions are reported here as well as the extensive use of Irish language especially on signage, and you've got a need for a resource that visitors can rely on to interpret the important information that may have a bearing on their safety and comfort. Having written copious notes in our blog on the places we went, the conditions we saw, and the things we learned from the perspective of newcomers, as well as that of residents, we provide a unique perspective that helps the visitor adapt more quickly. We make it easy for yachtsmen and land travelers alike to understand what they hear and see and make use of it.
Join us on our journey. It begins in April 2015.
In “Cruising the Wild
Atlantic Way”, we visit ports all along the coast from Lough Swilly to
Cork, touching on their history, amenities and facilities. With many photos,
this is just as much a book for the land cruiser as for the sailor.
Cruising the Wild Atlantic
Way is scheduled to be released by
the end of this month.
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