Episode 14 Bangor to Scotland

 Episode 14 Bangor to Scotland.

We were reluctant to go to Bangor, the last time we were there the scars of the "troubles" were so ugly that we were not keen. We had also had amazing fun when we moored up downtown next to the "Titanic Center" right in the heart of Belfast's dock lands. We ended up going into Bangor because its worked out best for everyone. For us to jump and keep going north, and for John and Carol's pal Ruth who lives close by and was going to join us for a breakfast the next day. We cleared customs and mailed off their form with all our passport numbers. It was explained that we will not need to clear in when we get to Scotland and when we leave its simple, just leave. Ruth  found John and Noel at the marina office and we had a great visit over breakfast. Ruth was to host John for a night before catching the train back to Wexford. We had a great fry up breakfast, then Ruth took us shopping. The shopping list was not like Ruth's regular list at all. We figured we needed to stock up on whiskey and wine as this is not cheap in Iceland so that was how the shopping list started. We did a massive shop and then back to the boat. John and Ruth headed off to Ruth's house and we were on our own. The train tracks run the shore line in Ireland so it is a very beautiful run and hopefully the windows will be clean and the day clear for John's return to Wexford. The other wonderful feature is that seniors travel by free in off peak times so the transit is well used.

550 slip marina had plenty of boats.  This one did a circumnavigating, we never did get to chat to them whey must have a been staying ashore.  We enjoyed a barbeque with fellow Canadians Shawn and Alice on their big power boat. They had moved from a farm north of Toronto and he had been working in advertising in Oakville - the commute alone would burn you out. They are having an interesting time living and working in Bangor. Alice has a brother in the area also nursing so I think that was what influenced the location decision. 

 Big comfortable boat that Shawn is renewing the calking of the teak decks. A labour of love that job is. We had great company and wonderful feast that sadly we could not get together again as Shawn came down with a cold so we had to give a wide berth. We were waiting till Monday for the wind to settle down and change direction.

Topped up the fuel and that for the two stroke outboard before departing. 

 Belfast loch has loads of shipping in and out so going across it we had to be paying attention and giving way. 

 Passing "Black Head" and its costal walk. 

 In and out of caves with boardwalk/bridges

 The end I think is on the RHS of the photo. I think it would be an interesting walk. May be when we are back with a rental car we could explore this. 

 Beautiful part of the world. 

 Fish farm outside of Glenarm

 Harbour entrance

 Glenarm, along side 19:00 hrs., 23 miles.

 One pot wonder, perfect end to a pleasant day.

The next day we would be departing at about 5pm for the best tide. I was an hour out on my figuring as we got the date muddled looking at the tide charts. So in chatting with the harbour master asking where we would be able to find a breakfast roll he offered to drive us to the next village. He also stopped so Noel could pick up a stiff deck scrub brush. What a friendly place.  

Wexford breakfast rolls are superior, but these baps sure hit the spot.  

Underway for Islay trying to seek the eddies for tide advantage. Not much wind and that what their was....against us. 

Noel found the camera!

 We could see clear across, that is the Mull of Kintyre visible.

 Passing Milltown Bay we saw a whale blow and then later we had porpoise come by for a quick visit. They are really hard to photograph. 

Yachts racing heading south passed us by. 

 It cooled down and Sonya's "Neckie's" were put to use. 

We were getting close.

Tide was in our favour and we were able to sail the last stretch.

23:30 hrs., days run 41 miles and arrived in Port Ellen, Islay for summer solstice.  Welcome to Scotland. 

And so ends this blog.   

 

 

 

 

Episode 13 New Ross heading north up the Irish Sea

 New Ross, what a wonderful visit we had with our friends at the boat yard. We had to clear into Ireland as since "Brexit" no one is too clear on the rules. Well New Ross police station has a part time immigration officer who would see us at 4 PM. Steven was all set to run us in but then Michael suggested we take his jeep, this was perfect as it took ages. We got there early and eventually saw the lady at 4:45 PM. Noel was "Chatty Cathy" so comfortable in a police station. This reminded me of when my father visited a hospital hard to get him out especially when he was not the patient. We stopped and did a small shop, desperately seeking some paddy whisky. By the time we got back to the yard it was late and lashing rain. We had hoped to get back up to the canteen to visit more with Michel and Steven but we were all too tired. 

The next day was full of great visits. My brother, sister-in-law and nephew Ben came for coffee bearing gifts of tea brack and country butter...Oh so good! Then the crew of Miss Molly Too picked us up and off we went to the Kennedy Center for lunch. The chat was non stop and it was great to see our pals. Then they kindly brought us out to John and Carols where we were going to stay for a few days. 

The wind was rising and when it was against the tide the river was very bouncy so it was better we were not on board. Michel dreaded us being on board at night when the wind was so high so we doubled the lines and had a wonderful visit with John, Carol seeing Colin and family from a distance as they had tested positive for the dreaded Covid. 

 Super windy and the white caps rolled between the hulls of the fishing catamarans that were waiting for the dry dock. 

Noel doubling up the lines and placing the board made from wood that we found in the boat yard field.

 Sean with his "Milwaukie" tool collection. We flushed the engine anti freeze with professional help. Noel was so glad he had when he watched how Sean had to bend twist and stretch. 

 Steven in the meantime had welded from old propane bottles a BBQ and smoker with a warming grill below. So this was the test firing with lots of starter fluid on hand.  He was pleased with the result.

 Dry dock almost ready to depart. 

 Yard was busy and so tidy.

  Steven took his 1950 MG for a spin. 

 All too soon it was time to head. 

 This time we waited for the bridge, it was not a long wait.

 Flying past passage east on the falling tide.

Approaching the Hook Light.

 Better conditions after we pass as we could bear off and sail. 

 Too windy for kite fling but great for family visits and ice cream feasts. 

 There is a great play ground so the disappointment of kite flying was more then mitigated. Then Adrian Sandra, John and Carol joined us  and we had ice cream followed by tea on John and Carols boat.  

The plan was for John to join us sailing up the Irish Sea. We failed to check the tides till after Carol had headed home. 02:30AM departure just failed to appeal we waited the next day for the PM tied and headed north then, again it was a motor sail in light wind. 

 Very still when we departed. 

 Entering Arklow fenders ready. 

The place was hopping about five cranes and dredging operations on going. The boat we rafted to advised that the pile driving had only just stopped and it was late (20:30)when we arrived. 

We rafted onto a boat heading south so we would be casting off 1st thing in the AM (05:10) while they waited for the later tiide to carry them south. 

The weather had kept many boats in harbour for the past few days to everyone was making a move, boats rafted up stream and down stream. The tide can run 6Knots in the Irish sea so we have learned not to fight them but travel with them. 

Up early and under way  by 0510. Again another motor sail. 

 Approaching Howth, north side of Dublin bay.

Harbour entrance 

Low tide, respect the markers

Similar view but at high tied. 

Our time in Howth was short, just the one night. My friend from school, Sonya joined us for dinner and the evening was full of chat and laughs. All to soon Sonya was off back into town and I was headed back to the boat having seen her to the bus stop. I got back on board with the help of some members to make the swipe card open the gate on the pontoon. The access point was not marked and took the 3rd time down the ramp to find it. May have been a bit of fatigue factor.   We were catching the tide and underway to Bangor by 05:15 the next day. 

Arrived in Bangor NI, 1930 having done 89 miles. The calm before the next low pressure, we stayed in Bangor from the 15th to the 20th waiting for the winds to calm down and not be against us. 

And so ends this blog, we hope you will join us with the next as we continue our journey.