Sailing around UK and Ireland in 2010

After more than twenty years working in the IT industy I have the opportunity to take a gap year and sail around UK and Ireland.

The plan is to make some changes and modfications to the boat I have owned and raced for the last 5 years, so that she can be sailed short handed. I want to be able to single hand her but I plan to have guests and friends aboard who can take part in different legs of the voyage. I will leave Southampton in mid April and head west, round Lands End then across the Bristol Channel to Milford Haven. The next leg is across the Irish Sea to Waterford then contine west and round to county Kerry and the Dingle peninsular.

My mother was born and raised in Dingle so it will be fun to see the place where she grew up. Next north up the Irish coast, round Malin Head and east towards Scotland. I plan to linger around the Western Isles before moving on to the Northern Isles. It would be something if I managed to go on to Shetland but that depends on progress and good sailing weather. The final stage is a southerly course down the North Sea and back to the English Channel in the Autumn.

If anyone would like to join me on the adventure then we should hook up over the winter months so I can make a plan. You can check progress and developments on my personal blog www.onxiphias.com . Contact me here