The sudden change to cool grey weather this week on the East Coast might make some wonder if the heat-wave happened at all. But it was very much for real, and last Saturday (August 16th) when it was at its peak in the afternoon, the sensible place to be was on a well-appointed cruising yacht, enjoying the cooling northeasterly breeze in smooth water, anchored in the lee of an obliging island among kindred spirits on other boats.
Always having a lee side regardless of the wind direction is one of the many advantages of an island. But when you're trying to find space for a fleet of 34 boats – more than a few of substantial size - there's really only one island big enough on the Leinster east coast, and that's Lambay.
Lambay - the unspoilt island within city limits
As the chartlet shows, Lambay is well-endowed with anchorages that will be sheltered in the wind of the day, and the best way to enjoy them is with a properly-equipped boat fitted with a more-than-adequate anchor windlass/winch, and genuinely self stowing ground tackle in case a sudden move is required.
That said, we've overnighted in total comfort in Saltpan Bay - known as Swallow Cove to the more poetically-inclined - and also, though it was with a compact 30-footer, in a strong nor'wester in Seal Hole (unmarked with an anchor) on the eastern side. However, if anchored here close inshore as required, when you go on deck on personal business around 06:00 hrs, be prepared to have some of the island's resident wallabies observing your every move from the clifftop.
In fleet manoeuvres, it's good to send a scout boat ahead, preferably with a cormorant as pilot.
Lambay bound in full faith that the sun will break through
GREYSTONES MEET
Last year the Cruising Groups from the National YC in Dun Laoghaire and Howth YC had a successful joint rally in Lambay. This year they've already had a shared Meet in Greystones when unfortunately the super-good weather was taking a holiday, but the prospects were excellent when Gerry O'Neill of Howth linked up with Andrew Collins of the National's Cruising Group to set Saturday 16th August for what proved to be a busy weather-blessed programme for Lambay Armada day.
Many of us would be reluctant to resurrect the Armada name, knowing what happened to the best-known Armada of them all back in 1588, but it's assumed that doing so entitles the top honchos to call themselves Admirals. Whatever the titles, at 08:00 the National YC Group headed north round The Baily, and when they joined with the Howth group close north of Ireland's Eye, there were 33 boats in all.
INSIDER INSIGHT
Garry Davis of HYC takes up the story:
The day started with low cloud cover and mist, but as the fleet approached Lambay, the greyness melted away as the sun came out with real heat. Mother nature was looking out for us. There was an East wind, so a decision had to be made for choosing the bay for the anchorage, and Admiral O'Neill deployed a scout boat to the north of Lambay to check the weather conditions for the largest anchorage in Saltpan Bay.
Gerry O'Neill with his Sun Odyssey 35 Gerryatric (left) takes up his berth at Talbot Bay as the sun breaks through
The scouts reported good news, and this message was VHF radioed to the fleet. But within 20 minutes, the scouts reported that the wind had gone around to the North, and Saltpan Bay was no longer suitable. The fleet was radioed the change of venue to the south of the island, with anchorage in the beautiful Talbot Bay.
THE RIGHT CALL
Great decision: the sun was shining, and the sea was calm.
As the fleets arrived at the anchorage, it was a fine sight. Thirty-three yachts, mostly anchoring individually, but some boats rafted. And numbers then went on up to 34 when a boat bound for Howth from Norway joined the fun, though not with quite the same priorities as their Viking predecessors a thousand and more years ago.
For a good lunch, a congenial shared table needs careful planning
Sunshine, blue sky, the backdrop of the green fields and the sea front of Lambay: nature at its best. As the boats settled, the sounds of cutlery, crunching and popping could be heard for those volunteering or delegated to the lunchtime feast preparation, many of the crews took the opportunity to swim from their boats in the enticing clear blue water, some wetly visiting other boats while they were at it.
A FAIR WIND HOME
Time was passing, and many boats were enticed by the afternoon snooze and beautiful weather to remain at the anchorage, However, it was time to haul anchor from this beautiful place to find the passage time to allow for arrival in Howth for the start of a barbeque, but it ultimately proved an easy decision as the wind was fair and sails were set.
The Admiral allows himself a moment of satisfied relaxation
MARINA MIRACLE
At Howth, HYC's Marina Superintendent Fred Connolly had somehow found berthing for the National YC contingent in this ultra-busy weekend.
The onset of night is handled at Howth YC as gently as possible
The bar became a whirl of activity, and the BBQ facilities went into overdrive as party time developed. There were even some "speeches". Admiral O'Neill, Commander of the Ocean Seas, and every other title that comes with an Armada, thanked Andrew Collins of National Yacht Club for organising the fleet from Dun Laoghaire, and the Howth YC Cruising Group Captain Sinead Ryan made an appropriate presentation of a bottle of Lambay Single Malt Whiskey to Admiral Collins. Festivities continued into the velvet darkness, and all crews are already looking forward to the Armada next year.
