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Helvic Swim, Cave and Jellies

June 30th, Day 16

Mostly a good 20 mile day until the end, all these headwinds is a bummer on the spirit - would be nice to have a tailwind once in a while, seems like I’ve only a handful of tailwind days. Left the beach this morning to wander in and out of caves and tunnels, the sea was glass and I could really go into things. This once in particular was insane, a long long tunnel with multiple entrances and exits, just so beautiful. Saw two paddlers from afar and at one point they pointed their boats towards me so I pointed towards them and we got closer and I saw Tarans. It was Thomas and David who are about to start doing their circumnav, so I’ll hopefully see them again along the way. That was the first time I had seen paddlers on the water besides Mic but he was going fast so we didn’t chat. Was taking my time because I was meeting up with Peter and Anthony while they escorted the swimmers for the 4k swim across Dungarvan for an RNLI fundraiser. Such a cool event to see so many swimmers and paddlers along side and other small craft of the outside. I scooted ahead so I could use the bathroom and fill up water and was going to head off but waited until they got in. Chatted with a paddler who had done the go around in 2007 so that was nice. The table of tea and sandwiches for swimmers gave me some sustenance so that was nice of them. When the lads got in, I was announced on the loud speaker that I was doing this trip and as well when I was leaving the harbor which was sweet to have some encouragement.

Good to have some socialization, even though I’m doing this trip alone, it’s never more than a day or two without some good company in some way. When I paddled around the back of Helvic there were hundreds of moon jellies! So cool, and they had pink centers, I wonder what is giving them pink bits, I’ve seen blue before but not pink. The current must have pushed them against the cliffs because Jellies are plankton, (planktos coming from the Greek word meaning ocean wanderer) so they can’t swim against the current. Carried on with an offshore wind that didn’t affect me at all until coming around Mine Head when it switched to being on the nose. Set up camp with a bit of rain, had some instant chow main style noodles and yet another can of tuna. I have one in my pasta/rice every night.





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