The Return Journey

11^th August – Sail to Troon

Our original return trip was planned via Stanraer, but anyone who has been to Stranraer recently may agree it is not the place you may wish to spend your first wedding Anniversary.  The best day to go to Stranraer would have been the 10^thAugust…..

Another option on the 11^th was to sail the Stranraer and then on to Troon another day.  Journey commenced around 6.00am.  Sandwiches made and drinks on the go.  The forecast was for 4 to 5’s blowing 6 later, we decided to leave, as the next few days were even worse. The sea state in the morning was a little rolly but manageable.  We were passing Alice Craig and the point to turn to Stanraer at approx 3.00pm but decided at this point that we had made good time and we would carry on the Troon. 

From this point onwards the seas started becoming larger and the wind increased gradually over the next few hours.  By 6.00pm the wind was blowing to 7’s with a very uncomfortable few hours ahead of us.  Remembering this is AUGUST I was wearing 5 layers of clothes.  At one point whilst helming while Mick was reducing sail a large wave decided to make acquaintance with my underwear.  A yelp of ‘I’ve got water in my bra’ was return by a ‘Never mind that, keep steering’.  The good news is, the water warmed quickly.

The potential hazards of going into Troon are several fold.  There are the ferries, the shore and several rocks.  At this point we were joined by a double Rainbow, just to remind us what we were doing!  The huge fast catamaran ferry approaches very quickly and obviously takes priority, so we had to hold a position until it had passed and docked safely.  The harbourmaster told us to wait until the ferry was securely tied before we started our last approach, in case he could not dock.  We were being tossed around quite a lot but I managed to keep a course, as I had already had 2 hours to get used to the steering in this bad weather and the way the boat was re-acting to the waves.  Mick took the helm to take us into Troon and quickly realised what an excellent job I had done in the last few hours, as the wheel was almost wrenched from his grip.  He successfully steered us in and the peace supplied by the outer harbour wall was immediate.  We asked for an easy birth and scooted in behind Super-yacht Constance at approx 8.30pm. 14 and a half hours since our journey began. We could not muster the energy to go out to eat and settled for a cheap ready-made Lasagne purchased in Ireland.  It is one of the best things I have ever eaten.  We sat opposite each other muttering ‘we did it’.  Phew.

Lessons Learned

Ignore significant Anniversaries and go with the weather and safest destination.

Realise that blowing 6’s may mean constant 7’s.

Button your coat properly.  Including Velcro

Always have an emergency meal on board to end a difficult passage.

Buy a larger flask.

Wondering previously ‘Can I?’ now I know ‘I CAN’.  Being tested in relatively safe waters is not always a bad thing.  We know that our-selves and the boat can cope.

12^th August – Big Sleep.

13^th August – Sailed to Port Banatyne.  Good sail from Troon, past Largs, cut through past the back of Cumbrae, up the east coast of Bute.

Port Banatyne is a pleasant small marina North of Rothesay on the Isle of Bute.  The facilities are in a Portacabin, clean and functional.  A friendly small shop across the road holds most supplies you would require.  A very regular bus service stops just outside the marina.

14^th August - Visit to Mount Stewart, Isle of Bute http://www.mountstuart.com/

I am a history buff and cannot resist the lure of a stately home, so Mount Stewart is my kind of heaven. We caught the bus into Rothesay and continued on the same bus to Mount Stewart.  The bus goes right up the drive of the castle and drops you at the gate.  There is a large new visitor’s centre with usual shop and FANTASTIC Café upstairs.   Do not miss the restaurant standard Café.

The map provided shows the Walk to the Castle through the gardens and woods.  There is also a minibus.  The red sandstone gothic mansion is breathtaking, and it only gets better as you enter the building.  The main hall approached from the entrance hall up a flight of stairs is the most memorable I have visited.

The current Marquis opened the house a few years ago simply to provide employment and tourist trade for the Island. 

15^th August - Sail back to Largs

Scotland has a unique habit of being able to display 2 totally different weather systems at the same time.  To the Port side we have the darkest black clouds and to Starboard we have a summer’s day.

 

2013 Cruise to Northern Ireland via Mull of Kintyre

4^th August - Sailed to Troon

5^th August - Sailed to Campbeltown. Good Marina, some of the facilities are in the Royal Hotel across the road. 

Very friendly gentleman on pontoon gives good information.  There is also a reciprocal agreement with the swimming pool leisure complex.  Marina is very convenient for the Town Centre which is literally across the road.  Tesco (well hidden behind leisure complex) and Co-op.

I made Flatbreads on board which were successful enough to eat with cooked chicken.

6^th August - Sailed to Glenarm, Northern Ireland. An early start from Campbeltown

Across the North Channel in view of the Mull of Kintyre

The wind seemed to be on the nose all day.  Tired and glad to arrive.  Sailing into direct sun made visibility difficult and tiring.

The Marina has recently been updated with a new office, shower and utility block, friendly staff made everything easy.

Glenarm is a very small town with a picturesque main street, with an Artisan Jewellers.  A woodland walk appears at the end of the street which winds around very pleasant woodland and forest.  The forest has a number of sculptures,

which aid the journey.  Make sure you go up the left hand side (as you look from the entrance) of the loop track, as the right side is very steep and easier to walk downhill.

Oops, Diesel in the Boat.  In a conscientious effort to keep the boat full of Diesel a touch of overfill had occurred, and a loose fitting on the Eberspacher fuel pick up caused a small leak.  A strong smell greeted us on our return from the walk.  All the floorboards were upturned. An amount of diesel had swished around during our journey.  Much paper towel and detergent was required to clean up.  I retired to the showers.

There was a small shop but the pub was NOT open!! 

8^th August - Sailed to Carrick Fergus – Northern Ireland.  A pleasant shortish trip on an intermittently sunny day.  Cloud, Sun, Cloud, Sun.

Carrick Fergus is impressive when approached from the sea as it has a large Castle in the bay.  The marina is easy to enter and well identified from the sea.  Visitors moor up on the right on a long pontoon.  You may wish to be moved to a birth but we stayed on the Pontoon.  The marina offers 3 nights for the price of 2.  The facilities are modern and there is a free coffee machine in the foyer.  Excellent folders are supplied providing good local information.  These lead us to our next few days site seeing.  Sainsbury’s located opposite the marina.

9^th August - Andrew Jacksons House.  http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Andrew-Jackson-Cottage-and-US-Rangers-Centre-Carrickfergus-P2801.  He was the 7^th President of the USA.  The house is well sign posted and is located at the end of the sea front to the North and on the seaside surrounded by a same estate of houses.  It is a small single storey thatched building with out-houses.  There is also a display of information regarding the US Rangers.  The hosts were very friendly and knowledgeable and we were given a free drink of our choice.    Check the website for opening times.

Gas Works Tour – Carrick Fergus Gas Works http://www.flamegasworks.co.uk/concrete/. Irelands only preserved Victorian Gas Works.  I thought this was a boy thing but found a very interesting gentleman who was passionate about his subject and made the visit very memorable. The Gas Works provided ‘Town Gas’ for Carrickfergus.  The process was fascinating and definitely worth a visit.  Check the website for opening times.

10^th Carrickfergus Castle – Our First Wedding Anniversary

http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Carrickfergus-Castle-Carrickfergus-P2814

Trip around Carrickfergus Castle to start our Anniversary day.  Worth a visit, lots of different areas to explore.  The staff were very good with visiting children, trying on armour etc.

Lovely meal at the ‘Wind Rose’ restaurant on the Marina. 

Note to self:  Despite it being our Wedding Anniversary we should observe the weather and sail on the best day rather than pamper ourselves with a nice Anniversary meal.  Read on….