Aleria's Adventures

Busy, busy. busy times. An article that cited me was published in the Guardian yesterday. Written by Susan Smillie, it documents the plight of cruisers stuck in paradise. The BBC World News editors got wind of the article and asked me to do an interview with them in the morning, which I did at 7:20 am. Now anyone who knows me, knows I don't do mornings very well. But somehow I think I managed to do okay. They've posted the clip online and are sharing via social media. It's 3 minutes long and answers a few questions about what people are facing out there. This afternoon I did an interview with a reporter from Bermuda who is writing a story for publication tomorrow. I also answered a query from a woman wanting to do a documentary about the cruisers. And I forwarded a request for crews to film their voyages for an adventure movie being made about the subject. It's been an interesting couple of days.

My book review from Goodreads... Daria Blackwell 's review May 07, 2020   ·    edit it was amazing Read 2 times. Last read April 20, 2020 to May 7, 2020. In marvellously entertaining style and with beautifully crafted language, Turtle dips us into and out of historical moments, some of which have great significance. From the emergence of life out of the oceans to pagan rituals adopted by Christian elders, to Vikings, kings, Knights Templar, Cromwell, wars, debauchery, harlots, and brothels and so much more, prepare to be whisked through forgotten or suppressed moments in time. The chapters are very short and easy to read, and the stories are mostly not connected, so it is possible to pick this book up for short stints over longer periods. It fills in many intervals of history that are perhaps less popular but nevertheless important in explaining how things evolved. The amount of research that had to go into this book is mind-boggling. Thank you,...

My review for Goodreads... Daria Blackwell 's review May 07, 2020   ·    edit it was amazing Read 2 times. Last read November 7, 2019 to November 8, 2019. I loved this book. I am a bluewater sailor, and I found his account as a novice taking on the west coasts of Ireland and Scotland refreshing. I know that coast well and always find it mesmerizing, so I found it fascinating that he too saw in it what I know. The magical, mystical majesty of it. I saw it freshly though his fascination. I found it interesting that Marsden has such a depth of knowledge of Irish history, lore and language. Since I moved to Ireland, I have been learning and sharing the history and lore especially of the islands off the west coast, and this is exactly what Marsden does. He colours in the details with a depth of understanding that a reader needs to experience this place. The sailing aspect of it should not make anyone shy away as it is not overwhelming in...

Okay. I think I have it figured out now. Here's a good, practical summary that should clear up all of the ambiguity and rampant confusion about the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and Covid-19. The Rules (at least according to me in the Republic of Ireland): 1. Basically, if you're 70 or older you can't leave the house for any reason; but if you get sick, then you can. This is called cocooning. Wash your hands. 2. Under 70, you can only travel 2 km from home except if you need groceries or medicines or are caring for someone over 70, then you can travel as far as you need to. Wash your hands. 3. Stores are closed, except those that are open. 4. Morning hours in stores are reserved for older people, except you can't buy booze then so you have to go later or suffer. There is no shortage of groceries in the supermarkets, but there are things missing when you go there, but not in the morning. Sometimes. How old is older? 5. Masks are useless, but all healt...

The village dock  We'd heard from our neighbour that the mackerel are in, and so, to extend our time between shops where we can be exposed to the novel Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2,   we decided to try fishing. As we headed out in a SE breeze, the wind backed to the NE and brought an icy cold chill to the air. This after shorts and T-shirt weather yesterday. Very strange. It was half tide and we tried the cut between our point and Furlong, but no one was biting. So we decided to go out to the known fishing spot by Inishgowla. After two passes and wind whipping up a chop making it uncomfortable to continue, we returned home skunked. Next time we'll have to go out catching instead of just fishing. What's worse is that we were supposed to put down a couple of lobster pots. As the lobster fishery has collapsed, we thought we might have luck on that front. Except we forgot to bring the lobster pots with us. Duh! The price of lobsters has dropped through the floor as the ma...

On April 3, I wrote on another blog that the world pandemic had just reached 1M documented infected with the novel coronavirus. Today, just 12 days later, the count has reached more than 2M confirmed and 127,000 deaths due to Covid-19. Thousands of cruisers are stranded, some in paradise, others in very remote places without access to supplies, unable to move on as borders everywhere remain closed. Such an unprecedented situation. 2km radius from our home There's an app that outlines the 2 km limit on distance we are permitted to transit at this time, other than going to the pharmacy or food shopping. We feel so fortunate to live on 10 acres on the sea. We are unable to launch Aleria which is the only major downside. But Alex spruced up Moytura and yesterday we got out on the Bay. Fortunately, the weather has been spectacular and we are out and about on the land every day. The garden is shaping up, the vegetable seeds have germinated. As one friend said, this year, sai...