Shipshape! Hopefully our last preparation day and one in Castlepark Marina. Refuelling and cleaning complete. The beach and pub seem busier than last year; guessing it’s because the weather here has been so warm for a few weeks.

Pleased we had time for a dip. The water temperature was the coldest we’ve had so far this year, but very pleasant to bob / swim around watching the beach activity.

Coincidentally Ros and Andrew flew into Cork today and are staying there before exploring further west. This is their first time here; think we’ve raved about Ireland a lot!

We enjoyed giving them a mini tour of [our] Dock Beach with views over to Charles Fort and then through town to Summercove to look back on James Fort and the beach.

Kevin enjoying oysters at Man Friday. Producing the delicious food is chef Daniel Horgan who trained at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Shanagarry, a famous cookery course run by celebrity chef Darina Allen. Last autumn, coming to check on Avalon, we stayed in the nearby Ballymaloe House Hotel.

Castlepark Marina.