Busy busy!!!!

Submitted by Barry Hurley on Sat, 30/05/2009 - 12:04.

image:

Updated forecast during the night showed every OSTAR competitors dream.
A windy spinnaker run allowing a route directly for the Flemish Cap. One
snag though... Since losing a halyard to the top of the mast the other
day I knew I'd have to go climbing in order to get the halyard back so
as to take full advantage.

The forecast gave a lighter patch around dawn and I decided that was my
best opportunity. Through a freezing cold night I planned everything
methodically. Nightmare scenario would be to get stuck up top obviously.

Sure enough just before dawn the light patch arrived and I started
preparing in earnest. It was tough work climbing up there, and I came
down with quite a few bruises. But the view of the rolling Atlantic from
up top was truly incredible. Absolutely nothing to be seen apart from
big rolly waves as far as the eye could see.

I was surprised to find that the Wichard snap shackle on the offending
halyard had actually warped under the load and simply didn't fit
together any more. And that was after deliberately paying top dollar for
the bigger version than specified!

Anyway, I dragged it back down the mast with me, and I'll splice a
replacement shackle on there later in the day. As soon as I came down
the breeze filled in nicely, and I hoisted the spinnaker immediately.
Running now in nice sunny light conditions. The deck of the boat looks
like a laundry with all my wet clothes drying in the sunshine. I won't
tell you what I'm left wearing... Ahhh, the freedom....

I think I deserve a little brandy in my coffee this morning after
getting so much done even before breakfast. It's going to be a fun few
days coming up!

I got a few texts to say people had heard the interview on Seascapes
last night, and I believe the VOR festival in Galway is in full swing.
Somebody have a beer for me!

Off to enjoy the sunshine for a bit while it's here. Talk to you
later...

Barry

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Barry, awesome picture mate

Submitted by Nick Martin (not verified) on Mon, 01/06/2009 - 11:26.

Barry, awesome picture mate atop the mast, glad to see you're still smiling. Sounds like you're having a real blast and I bet the breezy, reachy condition will suit you well. Enjoy the brandy with your coffee (not too much now!) and go safely my friend.

Nick

Hey Barry, saw you on TV the

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/06/2009 - 00:32.

Hey Barry, saw you on TV the other night and it was the first I heard of you taking part in this race.

Just wanted to drop a line to say fair play and all the best with it.

Hey Barry, sorry to hear

Submitted by Conor (not verified) on Sun, 31/05/2009 - 21:42.

Hey Barry, sorry to hear about the hassle you had with diesel / halyard, glad to hear all sorted now. Im still plugin away on the vitrual version, doin ok on the Ostar and then decided to try the Galway inport race, less successful, crashed into the Aran islands at least 5 times and the mainland too, id say theres nothin left og the boat, theres no takin your eye of that one i tell ya! Anyhow hope youre spirits are good and wishing you the best,

Conor :)

Well done. Glad you sorted

Submitted by Mary O Regan (not verified) on Sun, 31/05/2009 - 21:37.

Well done. Glad you sorted that diesel mess - yuck yuck yuck. Cool Photo! Keep up the good work and the good spirits. - had a glass of rosé instead of - the beer - hope thats ok.

What a pic!! Good work

Submitted by maryc on Sun, 31/05/2009 - 11:15.

What a pic!! Good work Barry.
I'm in Galway - will have that beer for you!!!
Keep up the good work.

Barry's interview on

Submitted by Alan D (not verified) on Sat, 30/05/2009 - 20:39.

Barry's interview on Seascapes is at the following URL - it starts at timepoint 7.55:
http://www.rte.ie/radio1/seascapes/

Amazing picture Barry!

Alan