Leaving Rathlin Island

Leaving Rathlin Sound this morning hitting 11 knots. Des at the helm while Darren was down below writing his captain's log.

Setting off from Rathlin

Waking up in Rathlin on a beautiful summers morning  @ 7.30 am on 30th June was a delight so tranquil and the air so pure.

Early arrival at Bangor Marina

A pleasant sail to Bangor, Des and Danny enjoying the good weather tanning on the deck. The wind frequently died and we motor sailed for a while, so we arrived in Bangor at 7.10pm, checked in on harbour radio and were guided in to our berth. It's a busy marina, well run, with state of the art facilities.

The Adventure has finally started

What a fantastic send off from the Foyle pontoons. Thanks so much to all my friends and family for making the effort.

In memory of big John Stewart, we sail today

Its 4am and just 8 hours to go before we set sail on our first leg of the sail around Ireland in memory of John Stewart. I wonder what he would have thought about all this, life can be so cruel.

Carol Stewart, my Sara and big John who this sail is in memory of.
Rest in eternal peace John, it was a pleasure to know you.

B&M bargain store SailforCancer day

B&M bargain store, Strand Road, Derry, proved its weight in gold as Emmet the manager gave me a couple of days collecting for Macmillan sailforcancer event. It took a while, but Emmet kept his word and proved he was a true gentleman, plus he donated a £20 gift voucher for the Ritz raffle.

The Ritz Bar, Spencer Road, fundraising night

A good nights craic had by all, thanks Liam for organising this event. The food was excellent as usual, karaoke with George who rocked the night away.

Coffee morning at the Cafe Mezzo, Austins department store

Thank you, Declan Hassen, for organising a coffee morning for Macmillan SailforCancer. Although it was a quiet morning, the guests that were invited most certainly made an impact. The staff, friends and family of Declan and Lee made Sara very welcome.

Every day is precious

Every day is precious. The thought of death does not frighten me, but the thought of lying helpless and incapacitated in the final chapter seems so harsh. The painstaking suffering for my loved ones to endure, a swift ending would be a noble departure from this world if you had a choice.

Last Tuesday 17th June I was put clearly in the picture when I attended an appointment up in the City hospital cancer care unit with Russell Houston a leading oncologist with the NHS of 30 years.

Final preparations

Not long to go now until Darren and Tobin set sail around Ireland. Final plans are under way and we can now see long range forecasts for the next couple of weeks.

The Clipper Race yachts are struggling with the slow moving high pressure and light winds to the west of Ireland and look to arrive around Monday lunchtime, weather permitting.

Fundraising night at the Ritz, Saturday 14th June from 9pm

Everybody will be made very welcome to the Ritz bar on Spencer Road, Derry, Saturday evening from 9pm. We will have prizes galore, karaoke with George, a free buffet, dance and raffle.

MC for the night is my lovely partner, Sarah McFadden.

Health Update

Please God my health will let me complete this sail. I am still waiting to hear what they are going to do about the tumour on my kidney its a worry 63mm that's a tennis ball.

It has been 30 days now since the biopsy which has showed up malignant. I can feel it now if I lay down or sit rubbing against my spine, to be honest I'm frightened with this one, things are not looking good. Roger Lawson, the surgeon who would normally deal with this, has told me he cannot operate because the tumour has entwined around a main blood artery and there was too much risk that I could bleed to death.

Sponsor logos are go

Thank you signs express for your wonderful graphics and professional service working all through Saturday to stay on schedule. Tinney's and Northwest Propellers logos are being added on Monday to the guardrail.

Port side

"Stoney B" lift out

It was great to get "Stoney B" lifted out of the Foyle. The crane at Lisahally lifted her out courtesy of  Port and Harbour Authority. The dock workers were well used to lifting out much bigger boats they each knew their own task and worked well as a team thanks lads for all the effort. She was set down onto the cradle and from that moment at 10am we all got stuck in. I power-hosed the hull, Danny sanded the woodwork, and Ray scrubbed back the hull. We sanded and antifouled the "Stoney b" to her former glory.