Goodbye Dublin, hello Malahide

Day 41
12th June
Spent a lazy day resting and preparing for tomorrow. The forecast is good for going back across the Irish Sea. Betty made us a tasty late lunch of stewed steak and potatoes followed by tropical tinned fruit. A bottle of red helped to liven the proceedings. In the clubhouse preparations were going on for a party. A large family was celebrating the return from Australia of one lady, and another was having a 40th birthday. At about 7 we went over and had a pint, having to endure the televised World Cup and England's inglorious start. The room gradually filled, and by about 9 we said our goodbyes to Dave Fleming, the courteous and helpful bar steward, and made our way back to the boats. A 9.00 start was agreed. The disco was surprisingly muted from our berths and we had a good night.
Day 42
13th June
The day dawned bright with a westerly wind, as forecast. After breakfast we said our goodbyes to one another and left. Geoff and Betty have been super company. I hope their return trip to Holyhead goes smoothly. At least the wind is in the right direction. We motored and motorsailed out of the Liffey, and at the fairway buoy I peeled off to port and headed north whilst Quadriga and crew tracked east towards Anglesey. It should take them about ten hours.
Going north was supposed to be easy, and so it was for about half an hour. Then the wind became very light and variable, but even so, a good tide was helping me along towards my initial destination, Rogerstown Inlet. But by 11.00 it was on the nose and rising to force 4. Then the coastguard came on the radio with a strong wind warning for all sections of the coast. Wind would get up to force 7 everywhere, with heavy, possibly thundery showers. Not the kind of weather to be finding an anchorage in a strange place. So Plan B was put into action and we scooted into Malahide and its modern marina where a lanky full-bearded Australian took my lines. Having tidied the boat I found the office and paid for one night, then walked into town. It is conveniently close to the marina and is about the size of Hornsea or Tenterden. All the eateries were open, and I had a coffee and a bun in one, and found a little Spar shop to buy bread. Not long after I returned to the boat it came on to rain. Very black and gloomy, but no fireworks. Time to write this log and chill out. The marina uses Spectrum for internet services, just like at Conyer, and as their tariffs are astronomical I will not be using them. There is a little internet café in town that I will try in the morning.