Wonderful friends! Kate and Richard had an early morning to drive us to Stansted, and Regina met us at Cork, drove us to the marina (where we had a wonderful welcome from Steven the harbour master) to check Avalon, then on to George’s boatyard to pay our bill,and finally to SupaValue for provisions.

Kevin did find time for a Guinness - within 90 minutes of landing!

Avalon looking good on her berth apart from being splattered by birds’ poo.

The boatyard had replaced our bow roller mechanism, so we now have a fully functioning anchor. They also adapted it, so it will be easier to replace if the nylon roller breaks again in the future.

A beautifully sunny day became very misty, and by late evening there was a thick sea fog.

As we returned with our provisions, the super yacht, Scout, was coming alongside. Owned by American billionaire James Berwind, 10 guests and 14 staff can be accommodated on the 209 foot €85 million yacht. It is named after their dog, Scout, and has a sculpture of him in yellow on the bow.

Designed by H2 Yacht Design in the UK, it was built in Hakvoort Shipyard in the Netherlands - the biggest yacht the 100 year old yard has built to date. Launched in 2019.

The owner of the yacht is heir to a fortune made by the Berwind White Coal Mining Company (not the yacht / owner in the foreground!)

An architect, James Berwind, and his partner Kevin Clark helped design the yacht as a semi permanent base for themselves and their dogs, Scout and Brio.

Berwind and Clark are philanthropists especially interested in human rights, animal welfare and the environment (a controversial position when you own a super yacht!).

Avalon may not have a gym, but we had a great workout cleaning (evidence of mice from her winter sojourn and dust from work at the yard), and making the bed (always an awkward and heavy task).

And we may not have three bars, but we thoroughly enjoyed our supper with ready salted crisps (a rare find in Ireland) and Graham Norton wine, a gift from Regina.