An early start to catch the tides so on our way by 7am to Dun Laoghaire. We actually managed to sail for about half the 4 hour journey and then had to put the donk on to motor in as wind against us.
Ian had been in contact with Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club who have kindly let us use a club mooring. They have been so helpful and hospitable. Even running us ashore in their trot boat and giving us a key so we can get in and out of the club yard when we use our own dinghy if we're returning late when the trot boat doesn't run.
We arrived here about 11.30am so whilst enjoying a cuppa we watched the activity in the harbour - a very busy place. Loads of children on sailing courses (Irish schools break up in June), paddle boarding, power boat courses, day trips on old boats, the lifeboats as well as general yachts and boats going to and from the marina and various boat/yacht clubs.
After lunch we went ashore to explore, get maps at tourist information, find out about bus and train services (DART) and check out a nearby washing facility in a nearby garage (yes a bit peculiar to have washing machines and a tumble dryer at a garage but apparently they're very well used). We picked up guides and ideas for things to do over the next 4 days before we fly back for Amy's graduation. Definitely a few days in Dublin and plenty to do locally as well.
We walked through town, went to the People's Park and then along the beach front to a Martello tower made famous by James Joyce. He apparently stayed there and wrote about the tower in Ulysses - I might have to read it!
Having walked a fair distance in the sunshine we'd worked up a thirst so popped into a Wetherspoons, the Forty Foot, for a Guinness (Ian - I can't stand the stuff) and a bottomless coffee (me). We sat up in the balcony and enjoyed the view and started to plan our next few days.
The first thing on our plan is to get a load of washing done - getting down to the last few pairs of undies so definitely a priority 😄. Then we've got the National Maritime museum and James Joyce Martello tower to visit here in Dun Laoghaire.
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