Monday 20 July

Ardglass to Glenarm 55nm in 11 hours

I didn’t write yesterday as we only got into glenarm harbour at 8 pm and was too tired. Been a good day though. Started with steady breeze from the NW so bit chilly. Our neighbor on the pontoon left a couple of hours before us and we could see him ahead most of the way. We called him mike for some reason, ( we never knew his real name) and since he gave us potatoes he was referred to the whole day as potato mike. We were gaining on him all the time but never quite caught up. He went off into Larne for the night. Potato Mike was a solo sailor and had a beautifully kitted out boat called SANCERRE. We decided since the wind had dropped and then picked up again to press onto Glenarm instead of going into Bangor at the mouth of Belfast lough. It looked much smaller and quainter , and would mean tides etc better for today. The wind increased to 15 knots and was on the nose so we were beating/ tacking for a lot of hours. Good fun. Julian said I looked like a gnome. I said we are in Ireland. My picture through the windscreen makes it look quite dramatic! Despite it looking a bit wild we had the radio on with the test match all the way….. a good performance by Mr Stokes merry men! It’s a very comforting calm background noise!

We had phoned ahead to the harbour master who said he’d leave a key fob for the gate for us. All very freindly and trusting. True enough it was there in the electric cupboard as promised. What a beautiful little marina! Even the landing was good! Julian cooked supper and then we had a dram of retirement malt before bed!!

I learnt today:

Always try to have your outside telltales flying even if your inside ones are breaking………

I have written this whilst gently cruising up the Beautiful Northern Irish coast…. not much wind flattish water and sunshine ☀️ just approaching Rathlin island so tides swirling all over the place. destination Ballycastle.

Sue x