We
awoke to fairly thick fog in Ardrishaig Basin - we could barely see the
lighthouse at the end of the pier!Sunday 20th August
We
awoke to fairly thick fog in Ardrishaig Basin - we could barely see the
lighthouse at the end of the pier!
With decent radar, and pretty safe water ahead, we decided to leave with a batch of boats who were descending the canal too. In fact the fog cleared almost immediately - and we'd a brilliant day as we motored down a windless Loch Fyne - dodging through a yacht race opposite Tarbert - then tracking up through the Kyles of Bute past Tighnabruiach and Rothesay.
The large "Glomar Jack
Ryan" which we'd seen off Belfast Lough in the spring, was anchored in the
inner Clyde - it made the tanker alongside it look tiny. Into Largs Yacht
Haven for an appointment with Carol Fulton and the Koh-i-Noor - once more a most
excellent curry!
Monday 21st August
A
lazy day today (so far as sailing goes), since we wanted the sailmaker to do
some minor repairs on our genoa. We set off to visit the new visitor
centre at the Nobels site in Irvine - but the Scotrail ticket seller couldn't
find the price for the tickets - so we missed the train (you better believe it!)
- and that after walking two miles to the station.
Anyway - we saw notice for the Waverley paddle steamer - and that it was due in five minutes - so we took a trip to Ayr, and got the train back. Waverley has just undergone a £4 million refit - including fitting 2 new boilers - and was looking wonderful. She only came back into service last Friday - so it was an even greater treat to sail on her than it usually is. The engine is still open to viewing - and it is marvellous to see this fine example of Scottish Engineering "live" and in action. Our holidays usually include a trip on a steamer (usually rail) - so we now feel this hol is more complete.
A shopping trip on return to Largs, collect the sail, and a fine - if short- sail to Millport, Isle of Cumbrae for the evening.
Tuesday 22nd August
A
passage entirley under sail - from the buoy in Millport to the Buoy in Rothesay
- 11 miles, and no need to put the engine on - what a cracking sail!
We watched Waverly arrive with a crowd of people on her day trip to Loch Fyne, then a quick visit to Rothesay town for old-times sake. The wind was enough to allow us to leave Rothesay under sail too - but then died so we had to engine-on to travel through the the Kyles of Bute towards our destination for the evening - Lochranza at the North end of the Isle of Arran.
The visitors moorings at Lochranza were, however, full - at least one because a local boat had been left moored. We tried anchoring - but Lochranza is notoriously bad for anchoring - so we decided on discretion rather than valour, and headed for our old favourite of Tarbert across in Loch Fyne.
Wednesday 23rd August
A
trip around Tarbert in the daylight - and a raid on the bakers - before a
leisurely departure just after 10:30. A light, head-wind meant motoring
all the way down the Kilbrannan sound to Campbeltown - as the sun once more beat
down upon us.
There's no doubt about the fact that
the high street in Campbeltown has suffered badly since the Tesco & Co-Op
superstores opened - but the town remains a most pleasant stop-over before our
crossing of the North Channel tomorrow. Sad to see also that the
Campbeltown to Ballycastle ferry service was discontinued this year - but we
never did think it would pay.
Thursday 24th August
Another
brilliant day - Wow!
We left the pontoon at Campbeltown under sail and with no engine on - just to show off!. In fact, although the forecast was for very light winds, we managed about 30 of today's 37 miles under sail-power - brilliant sailing with virtually no swell, right across the North channel.
We switched our originally intended
destination of Carnlough to Bangor, as there was better wind. However as
we travelled south, the wind veered, and lightened, so we switched back to
Carnlough as we got a better push from the light wind by heading up into
it. Carnlough is a tiny harbour - north of Larne - and was very full, as
you can see from the picture - we needed Tidewinder's strong thrusting rudder to
spin her around.
Friday 25th August
We
awoke to yet another brilliant sunny day - and after a brief walk around
Carnlough for victuals, set off on a leisurely cruise south.
By Ballygalley head we were in thick
fog - we could see about 200 yards at most. We used the trick of following
the depth contours to stay close in shore and out of the way of shipping.
Our route would cross the busy entrance to Larne Harbour - so we radioed up the
Harbour control to check on traffic. Having got details, the fog promptly
lifted - and we could see the huge bulk of a P&O freighter just a short
distance away. Once clear, we zoomed across the fairway - and continued
south. Although viz was not great, it was OK right down to Bangor, where
we arrived at 2:45pm.
Horrors!
- we learned that North Down Council had organised loud, drunken rave in a big
top on the pier - the marina had quadrupled their security staff - and warned we
were unlikely to get much sleep. Discretion being the better part of
valour - or common sense ruling, we scarpered across the Lough to Carrickfergus
for the night. Carrick is looking splendid - with floral displays
throughout the town - and more hanging baskets than you could imagine - and a
great curry!
Saturday 26th August
Not much sailing today - a quick motor across Belfast Lough back to Bangor - in
time for an Ulster Fry at the Heatherlea.
A very lazy day - with a walk in the afternoon, and a visit to the Pizza Hut in the evening. Do we eat to sail - or sail to eat ?
Another loud concert on the pier, kept us awake until well after 1am - what on earth are North Down Council trying to do - drive all the boats away?
Sunday
27th August
About the end of our holiday, now, a reasonable forecast (winds too light
really) - and with late tides, a start around lunchtime for home.
Disappointing to find that the marina had managed to run out of diesel fuel - especially with so far to go and light winds forecast. Fortunately, the winds filled in, so we needn't have worried (we carry emergency reserves anyway). We actually got an unexpectedly good sail - and covered about half the distance under wind power - to pass the Point of Ayre just a sunset (such timing!).
Arrived and tied up by 10 past Nine - in a rather busy Ramsey harbour - as we get lots of visitors for the Manx Grand-Prix Racing which starts on Bank Holiday Monday.