![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.firstclasssailing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_1300.jpg\" "\\"That")
<\/a>That much desired first pint!<\/p><\/div>\n
T\u2019is an interesting question to reflect on where the boat\u2019s crew should have that first pint when they arrive ashore after a sea passage.Should the skipper give some structural guidance or should they be left \u00a0to their own devices?<\/p>\n
Now that Maybird is meandering her way down Ireland\u2019s west coast calling in at islands and small harbours along the way often there is no choice in the matter. Teelin,an enchanting natural harbour with a small pier nestled under Donegal\u2019s towering Slieve League \u00a0mountain is a case in point.The Rusty Mackeral Bar is a good mile and a half walk from the pier but worth every step along the way.I cannot imagine any cruising sailors walking another 3 miles to Carrick and the next bar.We arrived at ten o\u2019clock in the evening and left at two the following morning after a great welcome and many renditions of Paddy\u2019s Green Shamrock Shore learnt off by heart from the Paul Brady CD on Maybird\u2019s sound system.<\/p>\n
It was a very different story after the short sea passage across Donegal Bay to the metropolis of Sligo Town.Arriving early in the evening after some interesting pilotage up the Garavogue River I needed the \u00a0utmost fortitude and nerves of steel to shepherd the crew past five bars to deposit them at Hargardons in O\u2019Connell St for that crucial first pint in County Sligo.I was a man on a mission.It was worse than \u00a0herding cats.A few pints later the potentially mutinous crew seemed contented with their skipper\u2019s choice \u00a0and like the Pied Piper I was able to lead them down O\u2019Connell Street-past a few more bars- and into \u00a0Shoot The Crows-my second bar of choice in downtown Sligo. Having introduced them to what I consider to be the two best bars I felt I had carried out my duties as a skipper and could leave them to their own devices.You can take a horse to water…………<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, I have to admit to looking forward to the lack of decision making that will be required in many of the harbours and anchorages to come as we wander in a southerly direction down Ireland\u2019s west coast.<\/p>\n