Although TideWinder was in commission throughout the winter months, weather conditions did not allow much sailing - one nice winter Saturday down the coast to Garwick Bay was about the lot.
Tidewinder helped bring in the New Year by dressing overall - and even managed a quick trip around the dolphin by the Queen's Pier in Ramsey Bay on January 1st - and we were the first visitor of the season to Whitehaven Marina in March.
Easter & May Day Holidays
We managed to run the two holiday together since Easter was so late this
year. Whilst others were engaged on fitting- out, we headed North West to Bangor
in Northern Ireland. Strong NE winds were so cold that the boat was
running with condensation - even with the Eberspacher running - but Bangor is a
brilliant place to be "stuck" - and a good curry and a great pizza
kept us happy!
Towards end of Easter Week, the wether settled somewhat so we headed south - intending to call in at Ardglass on our way home. The wind totally disappeared - and we had flat calm seas as we passed South Rock - marking the Eastern extremity of Ireland.
With such settled conditions, we decided to pay a visit to the new marina at Portaferry - in the Narrows leading to Strangford Lough. We last visited this large tidal inlet in 1992, and the strong tidal streams in the narrows were well remembered. The new marina was opened in 1999 - and provides brilliant facilities - and easy access to the shops and sea-life centre in Portaferry. It is great entertainment watching the tides carry yachts at speeds of 12-15 knots as they move up and down the narrows!
With rather an overcast day, we paid a visit to the excellent "Exploris" sea-life centre - the touch-tanks are brilliant - and the attendents helpful, friendly and informative. We then crossoed on the car ferry to Strangford village - this ferry goes sideways most of the time to counteract the currents. A thorough soaking in the rain - soon chased us back to the marina!
Guess what - thick fog greeted us on Sunday morning for our planned return
crossing to Peel. It started to burn off, but was pea-soup thick when we
reached the bottom of the narrows - and with strong tidal streams too - not
nice! Of course, as soon as we cleared the approaches, the sun broke
through, and we'd a nice sail back to the Island - though with the wind setting
in the North East (though light), we decided to head on home to Ramsey rather
than risk a rolly night in Peel.
May Bank Holiday
We'd planned to use the weekend to borrow the Hoist at Whitehaven and re-do
our anti-fouling, but with the crane drive sick, we got let off - so headed back
up to Bangor again! This would usually be our "TT Get Away" - as
the weekend is the start of Practice Week - but Philip is taking his GCSEs this
year so we only get the long weekend
The Point of Ayre has strong tidal streams - the result of the Irish Sea trying to fill and empty twice a day. The point is steep-to close in, so in most conditions, it's best to pass close to the shingle beach - and miss much of the tidal slop that develops. We've found it best to leave Ramsey about 2 hours before High Water Liverpool - and catch the point with slacksh water - then benefit from the full tidal push on our journey North and West.
Bangor Marina was virtually empty
when we arrived - then we remembered it was the Scottish Series Yacht Racing at
Tarbert in the Clyde - and most of the local fleet had headed north.
With much kinder weather, this trip, sun-cream was the order of the day -as you
can see! Walks, curry, pizza - and a naughty 2 helpings of the
Heatherlea's Ulster Fry, is bound to set Philip up for his exams!