The cruise commenced from the pontoon at East Down Yacht Club at 15.15 on the 8th May 2005, after two days of purchasing stores, fuel and storing.
The intention was to leave Strangford on the last of the ebb, destination Bangor. The shipping forecast unfavourable…North to Northwest 4/5, occasionally 6 Sailed briskly to Audleys Roads, and picked up mooring. Skipper not prepared to face Irish Sea today. Laphrohaigh broken open in belief that wind would blow itself out and that the next leg would take us to Glenarm. Suppertime arrived and preparation for evening meal commenced. Gas cylinder empty! New cylinder replaced…still no gas!! Consensus of opinion …faulty regulator.
Clear skies, wind light. Breakfasted on muesli. A pleasant sail through the narrows and over the bar. Apparent wind Northwest 8/12 knots. Weather forecast at 07.15: Irish Sea North 4/5, occasionally 6. Abeam Quinton Castle, 15/20 knots and freshening! "Old" South Rock 20/25 knots. Number 3 jib, two reefs in the main. Abeam Portavogie-30/33 knots! Number 3 jib, three reefs in the main. Wall to wall sunshine, and white water. A regulator now became a priority. Straight in to Portavogie Harbour. Nothing to do with the wind!
Entered harbour as fishing vessel came out…good news; they waved! The harbour-master met us at the first finger most courteously. Before he could say anything further, we told him we had a problem with gas, and he directed us to the icemaker pier, where he said, "You'll be out of the road and no-one will annoy you." Not having a fender-board, this was not ideal, for, as the tide filled, the swell entered the harbour causing the boat to surge.
A search to find a regulator was fruitless, and this included a car journey to all local caravan sites. No regulator available. Phoned home, and instructed Fred's' sea-widow to purchase a regulator in Bangor and bring it to Portavogie. This was fitted at 14.00, dined immediately, and left for Bangor at 15.00 in apparent 28-30 knots wind, northwest, decreasing. Arrived Bangor 19.45, wet and bedraggled. A shower was well deserved.
Left Bangor 09.30, East-North-East, force 2/3 Motor-sailed to the "Maidens" in bright sunshine, with the wind continuing to veer, destination Gigulum. On approaching Gigulum, a school of dolphins surfaced and thrilled us with their acrobatic display. On checking the chart-plotter, they were fishing over the "Alert rocks". We stopped and watched them for some time. They did not follow, but remained over the rocks. Arrived Gigha at 21.00 and secured on a mooring in Ardminish Bay.
Departed Gigha against the tide, wind light, southerly 8/9 knots, full main and spinnaker. Bright sunshine, but severely overcast to the South, ominous. 11.30, skies clearing, wind increasing, southwest…. not east or southeast as forecast. Sailed comfortably until McCormick Isles and at 12.00 mid-day, headed to Jura Sound. Wind increased and contrary tide made a humpy down-wind sail. Tide due to turn at 14.00. Time 01.49 (atomic clock). No let-up with the tide and travelling at 5.6 knots in a lumpy sea. G.P.S. gives an ETA 17.55 Oban. Tide dies at 14.20. On approaching Kerra Sound wind swings northerly within five minutes. Engine started, which relived the incessant alarm of a "low" battery.
Weather forecast; 3/ 4 south south easterly. Left Oban 09.10, after fresh provisions from Tesco's. Beautiful morning! Motor sailing, with new rubber dinghy in tow. Intention: to reach Loch Aline for lunch but lunched in a bay short of Loch Aline, which shelved dramatically. Recommenced in a moderate southerly breeze with spinnaker and main. Experimented with "Autohelm" very successfully until a new wind filled from the north. A brisk windward sail to Tobermory commenced. Still in beautiful sunshine but very cold. Moorings available in Tobermory and the "Eberspacher" fired up, regardless of battery discharge. Day over. No "Misnish"! Artic conditions.
10.45 start, apposed to 09.00 as planned. Slight smell of diesel from cabin on return from trip ashore. Discovered breather-pipe had disconnected, as a result of crashing about in the Irish Sea. Removed ten litres of diesel from various compartments including the food locker. Delay inevitable. Unable to enter Ulva Sound by the north due to having missed the tide as occasioned by the delay. An alternative anchorage was taken at Gometra Harbour, which is less grand than it is. It just held "Rampart". Predatory birds were in evidence. Buzzards and ravens viewed us speculatively. This anchorage is not to be recommended on account of its ominous atmosphere.
Departed at 07.00 Anchored in Ulva Sound at 10.00 and inspected Sheila's Cottage and artefacts in the small local museum. The telephone kiosk was the greenhouse for immature tomatoes plants. The ferry has to be seen to be believed! The island is wooded and we enjoyed a delightful coastal walk. On returning from the walk, and looking forward to the evening meal, it was found that the food was afloat .The food is stored under the starboard bunk, along with the fresh water supply. Investigation, revealed a ruptured fresh water tank. But, there was sufficient water saved to carry on to Islay.
Sailed to Bunessan in a freshening west-northwest which became very blustery and then motored to Iona after a quick stop for lunch. No moorings were available at Iona so we retired to the Bull's Hole, Mull, where the sun shone with a 15-knot cold wind. "Eberspacher" essential for survival!
Tide favourable from 13.00. Departed 09.30. We could maybe make Islay. A pleasant breeze, full sail. Spinnaker prepared to fly on clearing Tinker's hole. Bore off for North Colonsay, spinnaker flying. Speed over the ground 5.5-6.0 knots. Interesting navigation. Chart-plotter useful as there was a great number of rocks awash. A great sail to North Colonsay. After passing the north tip, wind became shifty, and spinnaker put to bed. 10.3 miles to Tarbet. Breeze increased to 18-20 knots. As the coast of Jura was closed, 14 deer were counted on one beech, and on the next, 20 wild goats. The last four miles, conditions were blustery, and considerable spray came aboard, while skies still remained blue. Receiving Belfast Coast-Guard clearer than Clyde. Grateful for a safe anchorage; Islay forgotten.
07.00. Clear skies Empty anchorage. Strong northerly wind. Halliards whipping and rattling. Weather forecast 08.10. Small craft warning winds 5-6 northeasterly. Anchor stowed at 08.10. Destination, Islay. Tide favourable after lunch. On reaching Sound of Islay, a favourable wind, an ebb tide, a poor combination, a bumpy ride to the Sound of Jura. In the lee of Islay, the situation looked well and it was decided to go for Glenarm, a rash decision. After passing Gigha to port, the sea became unruly. Much easier to reach than run; a spinnaker would have been the answer!! At this stage the skipper swallowed two Stugeron, on top of his "ginger" supplement. No3 removed and replaced with the storm jib and last reef in main secured. Harnesses to fixed points. Arrived Glenarm 19.30, tired, thankful and thoughtful sailors. Bed 30 minutes later!
Early departure - 10.00. Tide unfavourable Weather forecast at 12.10: winds southerly force 4-5, 5-6 later and precipitation. Decisions! Decisions! Are we to be storm bound in Bangor or try for Sandglass? 15.00 small craft warning! Doom and gloom1 Southerly Force 6-7 later. Heavy rain from Black Head, which cleared on approaching Donaghadee Sound where a full rainbow formed around the sun. Arrived safely in Portaferry marina 0005, 14 hours…. a long run.
07.10. The gale had arrived. Breakfasted contentedly and left the marina for EDYC. Storm jib and engine. The pontoon was a welcome sight despite the heavy rain, thus ending a proposed 14-day trip to Skye.