Time on our hands

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PredictWind Tracker
PredictWind Tracker with OCC Atlantic Crossing Fleet 22-07-2020


As the situation eases in the Atlantic with most cruisers having reached their destinations in Europe, America and the Caribbean, we find ourselves with a little more time on our hands. The Pacific fleet is in capable hands. So I'm wondering now what to take on next. I have to write up the pandemic response of OCC for the ICC Annual and the OCC Flying Fish. We're also going to write up the new PredictWind tracker software that we got to beta-test in the fleet. But what next after that?  

There are more than 15M confirmed cases of coronavirus in the world. More than 4M and climbing fast in the States. Ireland is number 56 on the list with only 25,800 cases confirmed. But we are not launching Aleria this year. As the sole carers for Alex's mom, we cannot be away for even the three days it would take to bring her home from Kilrush. Pantaenius which has insured Aleria since day 1 decided to jack up our rates this year, even without leaving the country or even the hard. And their US office is closing. So we've had a survey done and nothing major was found, so we're going with Topsail instead. It is about 1/5 of the price, shockingly different. That is a welcome surprise.  

Alex goes fishing in Moytura our 60-yo punt, and I go kayaking out on Clew Bay. We've been fortunate that we've had some great weather this year. Hopefully, the Atlantic hurricanes will stay away, but I'm not counting on it. 

I love my kayak. It was a Christmas present from Alex a couple of years ago. It's super lightweight and I can handle it easily. I wasn't sure I'd like climbing in and out but it's easier than I expected. Hmm, I'll have to name my kayak. Any ideas?

Kayaking at half tide this week, I saw lots of birds on the shore and scared off a few grey herons with their prehistoric squawks and Jurassic flight. At high tide, it's beautiful but much less wildlife to encounter. 

It's likely that in the Autumn when flu season hits, the SARS-CoV2 infection rate will soar again. We need to be prepared for that. So many people are having mental health issues. I feel so terribly bad for the young ones just starting out or with young families whose futures are so uncertain. 

Lots of people are on holidays around the country triggering the new buzz word 'staycation'. We can't afford to be away from home. So home we will stay. We had our house painted, ordered new outdoor furniture and spruced up the yard with a pond. What more do we need? Oh yes, we need the weather to remain good. Please, God. Small favours. 

Alex heading out in Moytura to the lobster and shrimp pots

Gorgeous sky and flat calm sea

Wheels make my kayak easy to transport 


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