September 2, 2022 by Tim Wilson

Last day sailing for a while, and so glad that was such a great day!

Started by carefully going through the narrow channel between rocky islands at the top of Bute, and then managed to sail all the way down the East Kyle on a single close-hauled tack before turning north-east into the Clyde.

Then on the way to Rhu marina in Gare Loch, passed towns, ferries, naval ships and entrance to other lochs with the Trossach’s ever present on the skyline to the north - and Meg caught six mackerel!

Just before entering Gare Loch some dolphins swam over to say hello and stayed with us for a few minutes. A group of five swimming close together to protect and a juvenile in the middle.

Lochranza > Bute / September 1, 2022 by Tim Wilson

Calm sunny day sailing across to Bute and then up the narrow Kyle’s of Bute to anchor in quiet bay at north end of the island. Wind dropped to nothing, with glassy smooth water and a quiet still evening. We paddled to shore and slowly explored the water line over rocks, seaweed and marsh and found couple of sea urchin shells along the way.

Carradale Bay > Lochranza / August 30, 2022 by Tim Wilson

A fiesty morning sail tacking up alongside Arran to Lochranza, timed to meet Megan at precisely 14:40 after her journey from Edinburgh by train, ferry and bus!

Then hike and scramble the next day up the Devil’s Punch Bowl where could see all around the island and across to both mainland Scotland on one side and to Ireland on the other.

Campbeltown > Carradale Bay / August 29, 2022 by Tim Wilson

Left Campbeltown about midday to sail up to Lochranza at north end of Isle of Arran, but there was so little wind - and didn’t fancy motoring all the way - so stopped half way in Carradale Bay. A beautiful spot half way up the Kintyre Peninsula with sandy beach enclosed by a craggy twisted rocky spit of land.

Bangor > Campbeltown / August 27, 2022 by Tim Wilson

A calm reflective day with light winds, so motor sailed across glassy smooth water of the North Channel to the Mull of Kintyre. Passsed the Rhins of Galloway and Ailsa Craig, and watched as Goat Fell and other mountains on Arran slowly rose out of the sea.

Bangor < > Nuneaton / August 26, 2022 by Tim Wilson

Some good and bad news, in that Dad had a stroke last week. He’s stable now and out of immediate danger, but has lost movement on right side. And so begins the slow patient process with physio to get movement back. That’s the bad news. The good news is that it could have been worse, as mentally he’s as kind, thoughtful and intelligent as ever, and there is a very slight movement with hand and foot that’s a good start!

So I can be around to help out I’m pausing the UK trip and bringing Arwen back to Granton before Dad gets out of hospital. The quickest route means sailing across to the Clyde to meet Megan and then with her help motor through the 40 locks of the Forth and Clyde Canal. Which should be quite an adventure in itself!

Then next year to bring Arwen back through the canal to continue up around the Scottish coast during holidays, so the sailing (and blog) will continue..

Ardglass > Bangor / August 17, 2022 by Tim Wilson

Yesterdays stormy conditions had built up quite a sea, and so the morning was spent sailing close hauled crashing through big waves that submerged the bow. Exhilarating! But tiring and very slow progress.

Sped up in afternoon as sea calmed down and with tide that swept me between coast and Copeland Island to enter Belfast Lough. And caught couple of mackerel for dinner.

Passing Donaghadee next to Copeland Island

Racing to get into Bangor Marina before wall of drizzle caught up with me.

Carlingford Lough > Ardglass / August 15, 2022 by Tim Wilson

Took last of ebb tide out of Lough and, with wind behind as well, was fast and smooth wooshing out of the entrance at up to 7 knots! Like being on a conveyor belt.

Then sailed past Mourne Mountains for rest of morning, and in afternoon motored across Dundrum Bay to Arkglass when wind died and drizzle set in. Rain at last!

The marina in Ardglass is in a natural pool protected by rocks that used to be known as ‘God’s Pocket’ - and it is a lovely peaceful spot.

Carlingford Lough / August 14, 2022 by Tim Wilson

Day planning, cleaning, washing, re-provisioning, and walking.

Anchor chain and warp cleaning and drying.

Lambay Island > Carlingford Lough / August 13, 2022 by Tim Wilson

Blustery day tacking up the coast against the wind to reach entrance to the Lough at low water so can take flood tide in (water runs fast through entrance so need to carefully time). In afternoon the wind veered around to the east, as can be seen on the track so didn’t need to tack across.

When left Lambay Island I could see the mountains either side of the Lough faintly in the distance, and so exciting to slowly draw closer during the day and be able to stay right next to Carlingford mountain.

I was slightly early entering the Lough (so I could get in before dark) and so slowly made my way in against last of the ebb tide that with sea swell produced surfing standing wave!

Paravane and lure for trolling for mackerel (the original meaning of the word!)

Dublin > Lambay Island / August 12, 2022 by Tim Wilson

Motored out of the river past huge container ships unloading, and then a gentle sail across the bay and out to the island a couple miles off the coast. This location means can hopefully make Carlingford Lough tomorrow in a straight line directly north up the coast.

I trailed the mackerel line hoping to catch lunch, and after one fish caught and then escaped I sailed about for longer next to the island before anchoring, but alas all I caught was seaweed.

Passing small rocky island ‘Ireland’s Eye’

Greystones > Dublin / August 11, 2022 by Tim Wilson

With little to no wind, motored short distance around to Dublin to stay on pontoon at Poolbeg Yacht Club on the River Liffey. On the way caught lunch again! This time two pollack and a mackerel.

Then spent rest of day walking and cycling around Dublin. What an incredible city! I guess the weather helped give a good impression, but seems like an open, friendly and diverse place with great public spaces and parks and an outdoor sociable culture like on the continent.

(Advanced warning - the light was so amazing took quite a LOT of photos today..)

Bray cliffs that walked along yesterday.

Two guys sitting on roof of their boat fishing!

Arklow > Greystones / August 10, 2022 by Tim Wilson

Tides strong along this part of the coast and still light winds, so early start at 4am to take the tide north and get to Greystones late morning before turns and start getting carried back.

Carefully motored out of tiny marina in the dark into the Avoca River and then out to the sea which soon lit by pre-dawn along horizon. Venus, Mars and Jupiter shining brightly as the other stars faded.

As passed headland remembered reading that mackerel like this kind of coast and saw fishing boats so fixed the broken mackerel line and trailed and soon caught lunch!

Then afternoon explore along cliff path out of Greystones towards Bray. Early night and think will sleep well tonight!

Porth-Melgan Bay > Arklow / August 8, 2022 by Tim Wilson

Huge yellow moon was setting as weighed anchor at 1am and motored out into the night. The stars were mesmerisingly clear and lots of shooting stars, and half way through the night was startled by splashes all around and realised that was surrounded by cavorting dolphins!

To keep up required speed in light winds motor sailed for most of the journey, and adjusted heading to take account of tide coming in and out of Irish Sea so that could maintain straight course.

Keeping track of progress on chart, and checking for ships on the radio plotter.

Estimating effect of tide direction and speed on route across to Ireland. Then was interesting comparing to reality during the passage.

Porthlygsi Bay > Porth-Melgan Bay / August 7, 2022 by Tim Wilson

Still waiting for favorable winds to cross to Ireland, moved to another bay just north of Ramsey Island so that when leave in the dark don’t have lots of dangerous rocks to navigate, and straight shot north-east across St George’s Channel.

Passing through Ramsey Sound was exciting as tide swept me through the narrow gap next to The Bitches (rocks in the channel) at over eight knots!

Dale > Porthlygsi Bay / August 6, 2022 by Tim Wilson

Morning trip up the Welsh coast to anchor in pretty sheltered bay. Winds still not suitable to cross to Ireland so working north up coast a little means a shorter passage when cross St George’s Channel.

Rowed ashore and walked around coast overlooking Ramsey Island, which owned by RSPB and managed for wildlife.

Motored across St Bride’s Bay as wind dropped to nothing.

As approached Ramsey Island passed close by a seal staring curiously.

Rowed ashore - can just make out inflatable.

Milford Haven > Dale / August 5, 2022 by Tim Wilson

Short sail tacking back and forth up down through estuary towards the entrance and anchored back at Dale again, so can make an early start tomorrow to sail up to St David’s by Ramsey Island.

After five days waiting in the marina it feels a relief to be on the move again, and lovely sail with the flood tide racing another boat for couple of hours.

Milford Haven / August 5, 2022 by Tim Wilson

Next step is to go a little further north up Welsh coast, and then cross Saint George’s Channel to Ireland to the north-west, but alas wind forecast to blow consistently from that direction for a few days. As quite a long crossing had to wait a few days until fairer winds as a long way to tack back and forth against the wind.

But gave me time to recover from this horrible cold, get the diesel engine leak fixed and and do few other small repairs and improvements, and explore the area.

Snugly berthed next to residential boats and apartments, with quite a nice neighbourly atmosphere.

Leak fixed! (New overflow rail and pipe fitted to injectors.)

Drying and airing after two days of rain.

The bubble hatch doesn’t fit that well which lets in water when crashing through waves, so fitting some foam to help seal better.

New halyard to starboard spreader so can fly courtesy flag.

Mullet eating weed from around waterline - thanks!

Preparing to cross St George’s Channel to Ireland.

Dale > Milford Haven / July 31, 2022 by Tim Wilson

Murky rainy start to day so stayed cocooned in cabin in the morning, and read and passage planned until it cleared.

Then short afternoon sail from anchorage in Dale Flats up the estuary to the marina at Milford Haven, past oil refinery and tankers, and access to marina through huge old lock.

Tenby > Dale / July 30, 2022 by Tim Wilson

Woke to drizzly windy day as forecast, which complete contrast with the windless sunny last couple of days. A day tacking against the wind around a dramatic coast of high cliffs and rock formations to Milford Haven and anchored near Dale which sheltered from the south-west wind.