1st August – Saturday
All the other visiting boats left today. They were mostly going North, we are going South, but still concerning. Have we done the sums right!
2nd August – Sunday
A 04.00 get up for a 4.30 start. Loch Ryan is beautifully still when we leave just before first light.
Corsewall Point Light House
We passed Port Patrick on our way to the Mull of Galloway.
Mull of Galloway Lighthouse
Mick passing another notable sailing landmark.
It was a little rolly outside Loch Ryan and the Mull of Galloway promised over falls. We went around with the tide and the over falls were kind. The Solway Firth however was not so forgiving. The sea literally corkscrews the boat along. The bow of the boat makes a corkscrew shape in the air as it passes over the waves.
We arrived outside Whitehaven at 8.30pm after several hours of the corkscrew seas. Mick managed to get the fenders out, but I had to wait until we passed the outer breakwater before I could quickly deploy the front mooring ropes. On your toes right to the end of a long day.
Another larger boat was waiting to get into the lock and we were all bobbing. The lockkeeper prefers there to be a metre more water under any boat, than their registered draft (depth). We only have a 1.2m draft, so we were waved in first. The other boat had been on a race to the Isle of Man and would be exhausted.
The sea-lock at Whitehaven is large and well appointed. The floating pontoons in the lock make mooring so much easier especially after a long trip.
85 miles and 17 hours later we moored up in Whitehaven. Pie and peas and bed occurred soon afterwards.
3rd to 8th August
The next few days went by quickly despite the bad weather. We paid a few visits to Wetherspoons to take advantage of Rishi’s deals. On Wednesday we did try to go to another restaurant we have visited previously, but the good people of Whitehaven know a good deal when they see it and all of the more fashionable eateries were fully booked.
Other local residents chillin’
On Thursday we met Nick and Lindsay on Moana who we first met last year in Whitehills. They had wintered their boat on Kerrera, the small island opposite Oban. Lockdown meant they spent much longer on the Island than planned!
On Friday our lovely friend Kay collected us and took us to the Woodland Tearoom nr Ravensglass. We had a terrific lunch and a good catch-up. She also made us some Ginger Biscuits, the best thing for seasickness. They were delicious.
The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven Harbour. Sadly currently closed.
Whitehaven Marina when the sun came out. Marina office and facilities on the right.
On Friday we had a good walk up onto the south headland.
Sailors Info Whitehaven Marina
£156 for 7 nights. Although the town itself is a little run down, the people are friendly and the time went quickly.
There are two main shopping streets, the highlight being Dixons, a proper old style department store. Asda, Tesco, Aldi and Morrisons are all walkable. B&M and Home Bargains also.
The facilities in the marina building are good and clean, but the shower water is on the cool side.
Wifi was intermittent. Also 3 pins numbers to remember including the main gate. Brain drain.
Next stop Fleetwood, in sunny Lancashire.
Think I would have been a bit seasick with all that rolling 🤢🤢🤢xx
ReplyDelete