Episode Five Beyond Bangor.

 Episode Five Beyond Bangor.

So we opted for somewhere we had never been, yet had wanted to get too. Rathlin Island.

And to our delight we saw that our buddy from Stornaway, Angus was here too! he helped us pump out . all the bad fuel last yearAngus's boat ,  Rathlin Island

Rathlin Island is off the Northern Ireland coast and has tricky currents around about. Large high  pressure with little to no wind, conditions were perfect. 

 The Manor house, beyond the harbour.

We passed a boat sailing out on our way in so we were in luck with space on the pontoon. Stuart the harbour master handed us sheets of paper with what's on as it was a week long festival. 

We saw a documentary about the volunteers' of the Ukraine. One of the firemen from the island has been out three times and was leaving again next week. He paid for his own air fair and meals, housing and transport were provided.  

 Knitted art adorned everything

We walked about, and planned the next day to head to the bird sanctuary by bus to the north end of the island. 

 The Inner harbour

 There was a memorial to those who departed for North America on the Jeanie Johnston in the wall on the way to the birds.

 Rock stacks with main land Ireland in the back ground. 

Kittywake's

 Birds galore! 

 Upside down light house. 

Sunning seals

We then figured we could get to Islay on the afternoon tide. 

The bird sanctuary from the sea

We were debating between Islay or Ghia when Angus to the rescue declared "Whisky Week Festival get to Islay" so we did.

What great fun. 

 Entering Port Ellen

We arrived in Port Ellen and were welcomed with a very friendly greeting, Tobias was on the pontoon another fellow from Stornaway last summer. Had read that he got to St. Kilda's in an article that he knew nothing about....it was in Anchorage 2023 which he had a copy. It was fun to catch up. 

 Always something to fix. Water Pump

 Festival time

The festival...last day Ardbeg we were not big fans previously but we were more so by the end of a lovely day. 

 Two, of many1 Red Beasty and one festival special. the special was nicer.

 A feed of smoked fish was included with admission.

 Very tasty. Smoked haddock

 With our combined talents we ended up with eight of the free glasses...now to get them home.

 And then we stopped.

 Waiting for the bus we got a lift back to town.

 Good thing we got a lift... i was just resting my eyes!

Mike and Jean of Mara had tickets to the community center dance that wrapped up the festival. So we went to that too. 

 Rock and roll by bag pipes! Way to loud even with my ears out!

 Full moon over the harbour.

 Quiet about town when we left.

Then we were off the next day having figured the tides to get through the sound of Jura to an anchorage on the west side of Jura, Tarbert. We were told we would see raised stone beaches. We cast off at 10,  missed church but caught the tide Everyone else was hung over!

 Race through the sound

We are trying to keep this a pleasure trip and not a delivery....but at the same time we are keen to get home.  We won!

We got the dingy in the water and managed to mount the outboard from the boat and re-stow everything. This was a concern as we bought the new outboard not considering its weight....we were super concerned that we had made a very expensive mistake and should have gone for the smaller engine. 

All worked well and we are both relieved and confident that we can manage. Especially with Sally doing the hauling

 Celebrating with Carol's cherry almond up cakes and coffee.

 The raised beaches

Oban next up the west side of Jura is a very different trip then up the east side with all its tidal issues. 

We managed to get our list of jobs sorted quickly in Oban. Propane, extra fuel jug, water purification tablets, food, water tank flush and fill.

 Jelly fish galore in harbour at Oban

 Filling the water tank

 Checking weather reports, again.

Departed on the afternoon tide after just the one night. We had a delightful visit with Mike and Jean who gave us a novel and we recommended the tidal books for the area, we were not yet ready to part with our ones...

Off we went up the sound of Mull to Tobermory with the tide.

  And so ends this entry to our blog, there will be more as we have gone further its just time to wrap this for now.