Excellent facilities at Bangor Marina!
Friday, 30 May 2014
Wednesday, 28 May 2014
Strangford Lough
We've spent a couple of days in Strangford Lough, a large area of water separated from the Irish Sea by a narrow channel where the tide rushes in and out at a tremendous speed. In fact there is a tide turbine built by Siemens in the middle of the 'Narrows'. We came though the channel with the tide and were making over 12 Knots (over ground), the fastest we've ever been in Bathia - the maximum speed we can sail at is about 7 Knots.
Tide Turbine
The pictures below show Bathia tied up at the small visitors pontoon in Stranford, the view of Strangford from the Portaferry side of the Lough which the ferry shuttles back and forth and a couple of snaps from the Castle Ward Estate (National Trust) where they film Game of Thrones.
We're off to Bangor, near Belfast, tomorrow to catch-up on laundry and victualling before we cross to Scotland!
(I've updated the route page)
Tuesday, 27 May 2014
Back on-line
We had a fantastic sail up the Irish coast from Arklow to Dun Laogharie last Wednesday, the weather was great and the wind was a perfect off-shore breeze to sail all the way. This was one of the few sailing days (so far) that we haven't needed multiple layers of thermal clothing!
The weather then became a bit dreary as we visited Dublin (40 mins on the train) and the local sights around Dun Laoghaire. There were gale warnings and it was pretty windy on Friday and Saturday, we stayed in port.
Plenty of WiFi in Eire, however most of it was not working or very flaky - the Guinness was a great consolation. Now back in the UK so we'll try and post more regularly when we have 3G or WiFi access.
We left Eire on Sunday sailing from Dun Laoghaire to Ardglass, a 60 mile / 12 hour motor with no wind, not much shipping, little wildlife and poor visibility - I think I went a little stir crazy. Ardglass it a pretty small place but is the only deep water harbour on this stretch of the Irish coast so a good place to stop, check the weather and plan the next few stops...
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First mate at the helm
Sailing past Dalkey
We left Eire on Sunday sailing from Dun Laoghaire to Ardglass, a 60 mile / 12 hour motor with no wind, not much shipping, little wildlife and poor visibility - I think I went a little stir crazy. Ardglass it a pretty small place but is the only deep water harbour on this stretch of the Irish coast so a good place to stop, check the weather and plan the next few stops...
Ardglass Marina, Bathia is far row on the right
Thursday, 22 May 2014
Gone overseas
After a 16 hour sail we made it to Ireland and are tied up in Arklow. We stayed Sunday night in Dale Bay, just inside Milford Haven and rose at 4am to get as long as possible in daylight to cross the Irish Sea. The winds were force 3 to 4 and rising to force 5, we sailed about half the way and then the wind moved to the North (ahead of us) so we motor-sailed for the remainder of the crossing.
It feels good to have made this 85 mile sail north to get us back onto our rough timeline and to have crossed into another country.
We'll update when we have better wifi and add a few photos.
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It feels good to have made this 85 mile sail north to get us back onto our rough timeline and to have crossed into another country.
We'll update when we have better wifi and add a few photos.
River pontoon mooring in Arklow
View down the Avoca River, Arklow
Saturday, 17 May 2014
Dolphins, Dolphins, Dolphins
We left Padstow harbour just after the harbour gate opened at 5:45 and made our way down the Camel Estuary and out into the Bristol Channel. The sea was flat calm and there was very little wind, I hoisted the main in anticipation of some wind but after an hour of useless flapping I took it down again and settled into a relaxing motor crossing.
At 9:30 we were joined by a few dolphins, which was great and livened up the passage. We motored on and passed another yacht coming in the opposite direction and then entered a patch of fog. The fog became thicker and thicker until we could only see a few feet beyond Bathia in any direction. We slowed to a crawl and fetched up the fog horn. The fog persisted for about an hour and we neither saw or heard any other vessels and saw nothing on the AIS or Radar, it was a bit eerie but eventually we made it though and out into clear blue sky.
Then we were joined by more dolphins by the dozen, the sea was alive with dorsal fins in all directions. As the sea was so flat you could see them coming in and swooping past Bathia's bow. At one point there were 20 or 30 in a huge group just off our bow. They stayed with us for over an hour, it was like being in a natural history programme, the water was clear and still and you could watch them and hear them squeak and breath. Fantastic!
We finally arrived at Milford Haven at about 7.45pm ready for some hot food and an early night. It felt good to get another milestone under our belt, crossing the Bristol Channel. The next one seems more daunting, crossing the Irish Sea. Hopefully we will have a smooth passage but it would be good to go at least some of the way under sail rather than motor.
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At 9:30 we were joined by a few dolphins, which was great and livened up the passage. We motored on and passed another yacht coming in the opposite direction and then entered a patch of fog. The fog became thicker and thicker until we could only see a few feet beyond Bathia in any direction. We slowed to a crawl and fetched up the fog horn. The fog persisted for about an hour and we neither saw or heard any other vessels and saw nothing on the AIS or Radar, it was a bit eerie but eventually we made it though and out into clear blue sky.
Then we were joined by more dolphins by the dozen, the sea was alive with dorsal fins in all directions. As the sea was so flat you could see them coming in and swooping past Bathia's bow. At one point there were 20 or 30 in a huge group just off our bow. They stayed with us for over an hour, it was like being in a natural history programme, the water was clear and still and you could watch them and hear them squeak and breath. Fantastic!
Click above to see a video of the Dolphins!
We finally arrived at Milford Haven at about 7.45pm ready for some hot food and an early night. It felt good to get another milestone under our belt, crossing the Bristol Channel. The next one seems more daunting, crossing the Irish Sea. Hopefully we will have a smooth passage but it would be good to go at least some of the way under sail rather than motor.
Thursday, 15 May 2014
Day in Padstow
We allowed one full day in Padstow to rest a little before pushing on to South Wales, the weather had improved so we wanted to keep moving on.
On the advice of our neighbours (thanks Dave and Wendy) we took the small ferry over to Rock and took a walk along the coastal path to Polzeath and St Enodoc Church (where the poet Sir John Betjeman is buried). The weather was great and the scenery was stunning.
After a bit of boat cleaning and shopping for provisions we ate at the Rick Stein cafe, Katie opted for the safer options of Salt and Pepper Prawns followed by Steak and I went for Curried Mussels and a Cod Curry. It was pretty good, but we hadn't booked so our table was outside in a little courtyard - not the best - but we felt we ought to try a Rick Stein when in Padstow.
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On the advice of our neighbours (thanks Dave and Wendy) we took the small ferry over to Rock and took a walk along the coastal path to Polzeath and St Enodoc Church (where the poet Sir John Betjeman is buried). The weather was great and the scenery was stunning.
After a bit of boat cleaning and shopping for provisions we ate at the Rick Stein cafe, Katie opted for the safer options of Salt and Pepper Prawns followed by Steak and I went for Curried Mussels and a Cod Curry. It was pretty good, but we hadn't booked so our table was outside in a little courtyard - not the best - but we felt we ought to try a Rick Stein when in Padstow.
Left Penzance!
Short update:
The weather improved and allowed us to round Lands End, a 5am start to make Padstow before the harbour gates closed.
The weather was pretty good and we had a great sail along the north Cornwall coast.
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The weather improved and allowed us to round Lands End, a 5am start to make Padstow before the harbour gates closed.
The weather was pretty good and we had a great sail along the north Cornwall coast.
We made it into Padstow and were tied up in the harbour by 6pm.
I'll add some more soon, I need to get to sleep soon, another 5am start tomorrow Padstow to Milford Haven.
I'll add some more soon, I need to get to sleep soon, another 5am start tomorrow Padstow to Milford Haven.
Saturday, 10 May 2014
More troublesome weather
The met office warning today "Gale force westerly winds are likely to affect parts of southwest England and south and west Wales this afternoon and evening giving gusts of 50 to 60 mph."
Staying put in Penzance for at least this weekend!
The weather has not actually been that bad today, quite bright but very, very windy. We walked to Mousehole, a small pretty Cornish village about a six mile round trip.
Yesterday we visited St Michael's Mount, a 2.5 mile walk around Mounts Bay and a short boat trip from our harbour home. And yes, you guessed it - another National Trust property.
We're thinking about a trip to the laundrette tomorrow before our pub Sunday lunch ritual, oh and there is another National Trust garden not too far away. We'll be keeping a close watch on the weather and hope to get moving again early next week.
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Staying put in Penzance for at least this weekend!
The weather has not actually been that bad today, quite bright but very, very windy. We walked to Mousehole, a small pretty Cornish village about a six mile round trip.
Yesterday we visited St Michael's Mount, a 2.5 mile walk around Mounts Bay and a short boat trip from our harbour home. And yes, you guessed it - another National Trust property.
We're thinking about a trip to the laundrette tomorrow before our pub Sunday lunch ritual, oh and there is another National Trust garden not too far away. We'll be keeping a close watch on the weather and hope to get moving again early next week.
Wednesday, 7 May 2014
Why didn't I wear my sea sickness bands?
So we set off at 5am with our bellies full of porridge 10 knots of wind and the sun rising in the east. An hour later as we were approaching the Lizard (passing a little too close to the wRigglers - an area of sea marked on the chart), the wind was 20 knots and rising as was the swell, and Katie's porridge. Five and a half hours later we made it into Penzance harbour just before the lock gates closed for another 9 hours. We're tied up against the harbour wall, a first for us.
Off to recover with a fish supper.
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Off to recover with a fish supper.
Tuesday, 6 May 2014
Helford River ++
A few quiet days on on a mooring buoy on the Helford river. Yesterday evening in the pouring rain we were amused by a visiting French yacht who was having problems picking up a mooring buoy and then ran aground, they managed it in the end and we're gone first thing this morning. I'm not sure we could have helped and it was raining very hard at the time.
This afternoon we went for a coastal walk looking back over the sea to Falmouth. We've stopped for dinner and a pint or two before we dingy back for an early night, 5 am start tomorrow to get to Penzance while the inner harbour lock is open.
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This afternoon we went for a coastal walk looking back over the sea to Falmouth. We've stopped for dinner and a pint or two before we dingy back for an early night, 5 am start tomorrow to get to Penzance while the inner harbour lock is open.
Saturday, 3 May 2014
Fal Mooring
Peaceful mooring on the Fal, a couple of miles up river from Falmouth. The sun has made an appearance in time for a sun downer, in an otherwise overcast day - still, no rain is a good day.
We visited another National Trust property today, Trelissick, a short dingy ride away. I'm pleased to say the dingy and outboard are all working fine, it's the fist time they have been used since last season.
We worked out the tides yesterday and we'll spend a few more days on this part of the Cornish coast before making the trip around Lands End next Friday or Saturday to avoid sailing trough the night.
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We visited another National Trust property today, Trelissick, a short dingy ride away. I'm pleased to say the dingy and outboard are all working fine, it's the fist time they have been used since last season.
We worked out the tides yesterday and we'll spend a few more days on this part of the Cornish coast before making the trip around Lands End next Friday or Saturday to avoid sailing trough the night.
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