Cancellation of Trip.
Have cancelled the trip. I did not feel that as a whole we were sufficiently capable to handle the NE Atlantic and the Arctic. I can not put my boat or any of us at an excess of risk, nor put myself in a position of excess anxiety. We sailed from Inishkea North to 100 NM north of St Kilda. A massive low centered over Iceland turned us back to St Kilda. There I made the decision to drop the trip. This was a great disappointment for all. Yet the crew took this in remarkably good grace, better far than I could have imagined. We sailed south to Tory Island on the NW corner of Ireland, had an enjoyable night out at the island hotel, and the next morning they took the ferry to the mainland to resume their lives. I reviewed this decision many times & feel clearer about this. Am now awaiting fair winds to get home to Clifden. Been tidying up Teddy & working on equipment, and relaxing & reading. ...