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| Clouds
over the Antrim coast |
The next morning, we waved bye to our newest friends and
headed out of the bay. Once again the wind put in a no-show and the sea was
flat calm. The drizzle could have stayed away as well but didn’t.
As we approached Larne a huge P&O ferry was leaving the
Lough and started driving directly at us so we headed for the south Hunter buoy
which was marking rocks and slowed our speed to wait for it to pass. It seemed
to speed up and head straight for us again. Taking our chances, we sped (at 6
knots, walking pace to the non-sailors) and managed to nip across in front of
him. It then seemed to take ages to actually pass us. Always difficult to judge
the speed of these enormous beasts.
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| Clouds
over the Antrim coast |
At the Isle of Muck (yes another one) the current changed
direction. It had been running with us for the last few hours increasing our
speed and helping along the coast without the need to use excessive amounts of
diesel but now it was our turn to work for any sort of progress. With had been
achieving 6.5 – 7 knots but suddenly the speed dropped to 3.3 knots and it felt
like we were crawling along. To add insult to injury a fleet of boats were
heading towards us and were then zipping passed us. They had probably all left
the Belfast area at the same time making use of the best possible tide. We
hugged the coast line looking for less flow and that worked for a while.
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| Clouds
over the Antrim coast |
Into Belfast Lough and had to manoeuvre to avoid another
ferry. We crossed the bay with just a genoa up and had to avoid a tanker
exiting Belfast as well. Neither of these vessels were ‘constricted by draught’
or had limited manoeuvrability in the wide lough and we were clearly under
sail, so why is it always us giving way. I can never fathom it out! Answers on
a postcard please.
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| Maidens lighthouse and
rocks |
Into Bangor marina remembering Granny’s Wake or Alex’s tale
(which he told us in Salen, Loch Sunart) where he had had to negotiate the very
tricky Bangor marina entrance under sail only, as he had a problem with this
engine. It was only then that we found out he was actually an RYA sailing
instructor. Glad it wasn’t us.
We tied up in the pouring rain and erected our winter
cockpit cover.
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These walkways are just north of Bangor lough and round the coast from the town
of Whitehead – anyone know what they are?
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