Voyage over on 2nd August!

Colette is now back on her mooring
1800 nm completed since leaving on

29th May

Thanks to all for your messages and sponsorship.
Tues 30 June
Bangor to Carrickfergus

We walked Mads and Jenny to the station and bade them farewell. They had both enjoyed their week and as well as seeing two major cities in Ireland, sailed about 150 miles with us.

During the afternoon we refuelled and then sailed across Belfast Lough to Carrickfergus, with its Norman castle and 12th century church.

We saw an offshore service vessel carrying two wind turbine generators bound for installation off Morecambe.

Graham called his friend, Dave Anderson, whom he had worked with over many of the last 40 years. Carrickfergus is his home town. He directly put us in touch with his brother-in-law, Willy McConnell who keeps his yacht in the marina. He came aboard and helped us with our Western Isles route planning and then took us to see the Swedish yacht that he had built a couple of years ago replacing his Moody 30 after 30 years of ownership. The replacement is a beautiful deck salon Regina 35.

Day Run 5nm

Total 945nm
Thu 2 July Carrickfergus to Glenarm  
 

The sail around to Glenarm did not meterialise; with heavy fog and very light wind following on from, a torrential downpour at 0715 meant a motor along the coast. Visibility was down to less than 300m at times. The AIS and RADAR with its MARPA vessel tracking was very reassuring to have. It didn't stop us hearing the haunting sound of the RORO ferry making into Larne Lough, but we did know where she was.

We saw the ship return from the installation of the wind generator over at Morecambe. Perhaps coming back to Belfast to pick up the next for deployment.


There were some nastly looking jellyfish as we made our way from the pretty coastal town of Whitehead and on past the Blackhead Light House.

Glenarm is a pretty littles marina. We had telephoned ahead half an hour before our arrival and the helpful and friendly harbourmaster came down to take our lines and show us to our overnight berth.



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Day Run 25nm

Total 970nm


Fri 3 July Glenarm to Ballycastle  
 

We left Glenarm in heavy rain. Another day of no wind and motoring through thick fog; visibility less than 300m. We were tide assisted up to 4 knots at times.

The mist suddenly cleared from above revealing dramatic rock cliffs close to our port side. Their height and sudden appearance gave the impression they were much closer than for real.

As we entered the bay we could see Rathlin Island, about 5nm to starboard, slowly emerge from the mist. At the same time, the fog lifted; sun shone; and a nice breeze developed. We were so close to the harbour it was not worth setting sails; but we had the opportunity to shoot some Manx Shearwaters; rest assured only with a camera!

The harbour is just fine and the town well worth walking into; interesting churches and a small museum.



David and Verity are joining us tomorrow, so we checked bus times from Belfast City Airport.

Graham managed to find a bar to watch the Murray / Roddick semi-final while Chappie caught up with a book and his bunk.



If the evening is fine tommorow, we may sail over to Rathlin for an evenings anchorage.

Day Run 23nm

Total 993nm


Sat 4 July Ballycastle to Rathlin Island  
 

Chappie and Graham followed up the shopping with a boat clean up in preparation for our new crew, David and Verity who were to fly and catch several busses to join us.

We managed to get to the bar in time to watch the magnificent British and Irish Lions triumph in the final test. There was a great atmosphere as they finally got their just rewards with this win.

The bus brought our new guests aboard slightly ahead of time. We enjoyed a cup of tea before setting sail for the short leg to Rathlin Island, a very pretty harbour, and our farewell point to Ireland.

A lamb Roghan Josh cooked on board before a stroll around the harbour and the surrounding hamlet preceeded a nightcap and completing today's blog update.

Day Run 6nm

Total 999nm



 
 

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