Day 71

We departed Bangor at 10.30 am having visited the fuel berth.  Our destination today is directly South from our position.  The beautiful and huge Strangford Lough.  

The problem is the wind unusually is coming from the South.  Our choice is therefore to motor directly South or sail, tacking down to the South East or South West.  Not difficult in itself but typically doubles the distance you travel.  We travelled 43 miles in 9.30 hours arriving at 20.00 hrs.

As you can see from the track below we motored a bit and predominately tacked.  At some points on the journey the channels are so narrow you really have to motor in a straight line.

On the trip we passed Donaghadee.  A very interesting old town that can trace it’s origins back to the Planters.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantations_of_Ireland

The entrance to the Lough is also a challenge and the local pilot books are full of warnings on how to enter.  The reason for the difficulty is the tidal race that dominates the entrance.  So you have to time your approach very carefully.

The exit is equally tough but we will worry about that in a couple of days.

As we entered this evening the stream speed was in the region of 6 to 7 knots.  So the boat over the ground peaked at 10.7 knots.  As we came down the channel we were amazed at the whirlpools and eddys waiting for the unsuspecting sailor.

Unfortunately we could not get into the Portaferry Marina as it was full, so we had to find a mooring anywhere we could.  Fortunately we found a good place to stay on our 3rd choice location.

Donaghadee the first harbour of the Planters

Kilcliff at the mouth of the Lough with Eddys in the foreground

Paul happy to have piloted past the Angus Rock

Portaferry

Day 70

As Fiddler’s Dram once sang

“Didn’t we have a lovely time the day we went to Bangor” https://youtu.be/wfwQi8L9h8M

Day 70 in Bangor is our recovery day, various jobs on the boat to do in anticipation of the next few days.   Food shopping, water and fuel replenishment and just relaxing.

Andy went off to Belfast to the Titanic Museum, hate to spoil the ending but it sank……

As it is marching season in NI this week it was inevitable that we would see a few bands.

On the eve of the marching, the 11th there are huge bonfires lit over NI, and when we say huge we mean HUGE!

Day 69

We left Ghiga at 7.15 am, a continuation of the previous weather greeted us as we made our way out to the South.  Fog, rain and a chilly wind……goodbye Scotland.

We were set up for a long day, the forecast was for predominantly Westerly winds, that would suit us, however, what turned up was Southerly.  Exactly what we didn’t want.  After trying to sail a few times, including a Cruising Chute attempt when the wind turned to Northerly!  Pretty much the whole day we had to motor or motor sail.

After a few hours we passed the Mull of Kintyre, this oped up a debate on what is a Mull and some very dodgy singing.   If this has put you in the mood for the song click here https://youtu.be/OrbuDWit1Co

We did though curtesy of Nick’s pilotage have a good tide for a lot of the journey so made good time, arriving in Bangor, Northern Ireland in glorious sunshine at 19.15.  The marina allocated a very small and tricky berth for us, when we arrived it already had an occupant so after reversing back up the tight channel finding an empty one and tied up safely we discovered it had no power.  So we had to do it all over again.  

On the day We travelled 67 miles.

The difference in temperature from the last couple of days was very noticeable, particularly at night.

Ghiga in the morning light

Mull of Kintyre

The Mull of Kintyre

Bangor in the sun

Bangor Marina entrance

Ghiga to Bangor Track

Day 67 and 68

 Day 67 was our change over day.  Chris left for home on the South Coast and Jim and Andy rejoined.

The major feature of today was the blistering sunshine that warmed the country almost everywhere except Oban and the West Coast of Scotland.  Even Glasgow was glorious, but half way on the train to Oban the temperature plummeted by at least 6 degrees and fog descended.  Welcome to a traditional Scottish summer.

Day 68 was a continuation of fog, grey skies and occasional rain.  We departed at 10am for the island of Ghigha.  Last year we arrived here in beautiful warm sunny weather.  This year we plugged through the dreich cold day.  We did however make good time with Wind Singer exceeding 10 knots at one point arriving in Ardminish at 19.10. 48 miles run.

Lovely morning

Our one bit of sunshine for 20 mins fog on horizon

Fladda Lighthouse

Nearly 10…..

Day 66

Tobermory to Oban

25 nm. 8:45 to 13:45. 5 hrs sailing on jib alone. Downwind F5 W gusting 6.

Max 30 knots of wind.

Very poor visibility when we set off but it improved enough to see the ferries, sailing boats, fishing boats, military shipping, rocks, lighthouses  etc.
It is the end of the English woman’s journey and blog.

Signing off and handing the blog back to the Scotsman.

Today’s Track

Day 65

Rhum to Tobermory

32 miles. 6:40 to 12:50. F3/4 WNW

Rolling waves and choppy seas as we went between Eigg and Rhum,  Dark wind shadows from Rhum.

Sun out as we approached Tobermory, although heavy rain followed.  Busy now the tourist season has started.

Great meal at the Tobermory hotel, including a hit of limoncello.

Day 64

 Weather bound in Rhum

Got up early to check the forecasts with our erratic and poor 4 G signal.  F6-7 most of the day.  It will mean rough seas as well.  Gets better during the night and tomorrow.

Decided to stay put and wait it out, catch up on sleep and reading.

Just the dingy to dry out and put away.