The business of the City of London is business. Thus last week's visit there by the Limerick trading ketch Ilen saw many boxes being ticked in an efficient style, including a clear affirmation that The Dey of Kilcoe takes precedence over The Knight of Glin. But for any sailing ship, favourable winds take precedence over everything. So after the experience of dealing with headwinds while getting to London, the developing prospect of a favourable weather pattern saw events in the latter part of the week being compressed, and Ilen headed seawards on Friday instead of Saturday as originally planned.
It's a move which has paid off handsomely. This afternoon (Monday) Ilen is already off the coast of southwest Ireland, after a storming fair-wind sail across the Celtic Sea, and all being well she should be into Limerick on the tide tomorrow (Tuesday) at lunchtime.
1700hrs update - With rising winds and a difficult forecast, Ilen came into Baltimore this (Monday) evening