Inis Bigil Island adventure

[Aidan IR53]

Evening All,

Day started at 4.55am for Mr Watson and Colman. Interesting drive west thru snow,ice and rain towards the end. I left Tuam at 8am(grand ly on) and we all met for a spot of breakfast about 9.15 before heading to the island. Followed the sat navs to the slip way and made the call to our hosts and 10mins later our transport arrives.(see photos)

http://picasaweb.google.com/IR53Aidan/InisBigilDay1#

The channel we had to cross was about 200m wide but the current flowing thru the channel was the fastest flow I have ever seen. There were some very concerned looks between the 3 of us. But is was the most interesting 3min boat journey I've ever had. Unloaded our gear at the farside into the back of a van and headed to the far side of the island to the strand.

The strand must have been a kilometre wide by about 3 kilometre long. Monday will be the lowest tide of the year so plenty of space. Sadly the wind that was predicted did not turn up, it was like a summers day with beautiful blue skies and not too cold.

Hung around the beach till 2pm and then headed off with our kind host for lunch (Thanks Esther, fine pot of tea and sandwiches)

Headed back down to the beach about 4 to see the tide come in which was very quick. The tide filled from both sides of the strand and met in the middle, very easy to get caught out on.

Got back to the boat about 4.30 and the current appeared about twice as strong as our morning crossing. Thankfully we got across safely if not in a slighlty indirect way(Alan has video footage).

I had to come back to Tuam tonight but the two lads have been put up in a B+B for the night so are probably well drinking by this stage. All gear still on the Island so the 3 of us are headin back out at 10.30 in the morning. Could be an interesting crossing if the lads are on the drink all night.

Anyway, lets pray the wind turns up tomorrow and our hosts can have a blast on the miniyachts and get hooked.

Aidan

[IR 200 Alan]

Morning,  More snow in the Whest !  Ah ,  We got hijacked last night at 5.30 - and the hotelier eventualy released us at abou 2 - -!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Looks great outside and seems to be wind - if we can stand up we will give it a go ! -

[boomer]

this big patch of sand?

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=inis+bigil,+ireland&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.681389,93.076172&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Inishbiggle&ll=53.992533,-9.87143&spn=0.029569,0.090895&t=h&z=14

[kevin]

no ransom demand was recieved and ipksa policy is not to negociate LOL  glad u escaped

[Aidan IR53]

Day 2 update.

Got to slipway at 10.20, wind blowing quite nice so got into Drysuit in preparation for a good day. The two lads turned up at 10.30 suffering from having too many Guinness. Alan's bag was stuffed with the sunday roast for one of the islanders. I think he met the butcher in the pub on Saturday night.

Boat arrived and we were collected as usual on the farside. Took a little tour of the island and found a better spot to sail. It was a sandbank about quarter mile from the shore but was dry and flatter than the main strand. Myself and Colman took a walk out in the wind and rain, we then decided to go and collect our miniyachts from the overnight storage i.e. a ditch above the main strand. Myself and Alan decided instead of loading our yachts into the back of the van we decided to be towed across the island instead. Colman had more sense and loaded his gear into the van and controlled things by hanging out the back door of a 1992 Toyota LiteAce. Fantastic!!!!

I got quite worried as we travelled the kilometre behind this van with our masts up and the electricity wires were getting a little to close for comfort. Anyhow, got back to our new location and wind had disappeared. If it was the last thing we'd do we would miniyacht on InisBigil. Hung around for about an hour, walked from one end of the sand bar to the other and enjoyed the scenary. We appeared to be between weather. Snow was been blown of the summit of Slievemore to the west and very dark clouds on the mountains to the east with us in the middle with perfect blue skies and not a breath of wind. I contemplated walking to Boston(Alan has photos). I was paddling about 150m offshore in about 8 inches of water and then I heard the shout from Alan too look behind me. I expected something big coming to get me from the excitement in his voice but it actually turned out to be the slightest hint of wind coming on the surface  of the water. Started back towards out yachts which must have been a kilometre from were I was.

Got back and then waited and waited for the wind. We were then joined by some of the locals. Now there were seven of us out on this bank waiting for the wind. About 30min later it arrived. The 3 of us had a short blast and then we handed our yachts over to our hosts. Two local lads, Tom and David picked it up within 60 seconds and then spent the next 40min on 2 wheels. Both are now hooked. The third yacht was split between the 2 bigs kids Christy and Tim, both also firmly hooked.

Wind then died by 2pm and back to Esthers for more tea and biscuits. Our boat man for the weekend was Tom and Davids father, by the time he returned us to the mainland I think he had agreed to buy at leat one miniyacht. Eventually left Achill at 4pm which mean Alan and Colman probably have not arrived home yet.

Roll on our next visit back to InisBigil.

Aidan

[boomer]

Guess that means I need to sort out Helicopter landing sites, lifeboats, air ambulances, full medical field hospital etc etc on the island D:D

Joking aside it looks and sounds like a nice location

[IR 200 Alan]

Shne - they have a helicopter landing pad - so good idea - if buying a lifeboat it better big a powerful one , never saw anything like the currents , great place for hovercrafts !

Cant add much other than to say what w remarkable and beautiful spot with truly friendly people, we are so lucky that they invited us to the island and so humbled by the way they looked after us.

The first thing I noticed after the stunning scenery and friendly people was the silence , no noise polution! We agreed to go back already.

Will try get some photos etc together soon.
Thanks to Christy, Packie,Esther,Eamonn, Tom, Francie, Tim, Tom and David and all who made the trip such an interesting adventure. I'll be back !

[IR 200 Alan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jexlnIazb8