Race 13 - Day 3
Crew Diary - Derry-Londonderry to Liverpool
24 July

Another awesome day gliding down the beautiful Irish coast enjoying the “summer weather” in wool long underwear, full rain gear and thermal hats. At 7 to 9 knots, and 2 to 3 nautical miles off shore, the landscape is ever changing. The outer coast of Ireland is convoluted with bays and inlets and dotted with villages and light houses. I look forward to exploring some of the coast a little closer after the race. We just passed Country Clare on the outer west coast, the home of friends, my wife Sabra and I plan to visit after the race.

Seabird life abounds, my favourite are the squadrons of gannets, always in even numbers, that patrol the coast. Soaring just above the waves, with their buff heads and glistening white backs and black wing tips, the small groups fly in synchrony apparently hunting. On occasion the gannets bank steeply to eye a adjacent piece of ocean, or clumsily attempt a momentary hover with feet extended as makeshift breaks. When unicef is healing 30 degrees and the windward side of the hull is elevated above the sea, one can watch the gannet acrobatics from above from the upper helming station. Its also fun to watch out for other fun seabirds like razorbills and puffins.

We are still among the front of the fleet, hoping the predicted wind shifts put our position in favour.

I still have the traditional tunes from the pubs in Derry in my head, Richard