We were up and off, early as usual, whilst the boys slept. Hauled up the anchor and chain, covered in gooey black mud - the downside of anchoring in an estuary! We motored away and were clear of the channel and Eve Island by 07:25.
Once past Goats Head, we were able to hoist the sails and switch off the engine. Making 4kn SOG (speed over the ground).
At 08:30 we rounded Galley Head and hardened the sails for Seven Heads. Wind now up to 12kn apparent, and boat tumbling along at 6kn, but only 5.1kn SOG.
Halfway between Galley Head and Seven Heads the wind started gusting up to 21kn, so we reefed the genoa and flattened the main. SOG now up to 6.5kn.
Passed Seven Heads at 10:15 and this time we planned to pass about 2nm to seaward of the Old Head of Kinsale, to avoid any repeat of the overfalls we encountered on the outward journey. In the end we passed about 1nm off and still had some bouncy bits, but much less than before. We decided to stop for the night in Kinsale again, instead of Cork, in order not to clash with the boats departing at end of Cork Week 2002.
Dropped sails once we were back in smooth water past the Old Head and motored upwind towards Kinsale, mooring alongside the KYC pontoons by 13:00. Distance travelled 32nm.
The boys disappeared to the public loos and then to a pizzeria for brunch.
The oldies walked out along the shore towards Summer Cove, lunched in the Spaniard and then continued on to Charles Fort for a very interesting guided tour. Naturally the English were portrayed as the baddies. There are fantastic views from the fort across the entrance to the harbour.
We ate aboard in the evening and, yes, out came the cards again.