Re-fuelled at 0730 then sailed away from Bangor on calm seas with the sun trying to break through the clouds, no rain at that time. From the little we saw of Bangor, the third largest City in Northern Ireland and its largest Marina, the seafront was clean, unspoilt and popular with holiday makers. The Ferris wheel would have been amazing on a clear day with views along the fabulous coast line. There were no accompanying tacky funfair rides or ‘kiss me quick’ style shops and rather than ‘kiosks’ they had ice cream ‘boutiques’!
The many public spaces with beautiful gardens and outdoor sport facilities were well maintained, all in all we found Bangor to be a very welcoming friendly place.
On passage, looking back in the distance to Belfast, we spied the Harland and Wolf shipyard known for building the Titanic. When peering through the mist of our photo of a pier, it can be seen faintly in the background.
About ten miles north of Bangor we passed the Gobbins caves with its suspension bridge and staircase carved into the rocks.
Although slightly obscured through cloud cover we could follow the coastlines of Northern Ireland and Scotland making our passage interesting throughout. Other than a brace of Stena Line and a P&O ferry we saw no other craft until we reached Island Davaad with a solitary fisherman.
Now safely at anchor at Campbeltown, Kintyre, we have enjoyed a fabulous day with a mix of sailing and motoring (in very light winds). This anchorage is gorgeous. We’re close to a road leading the small town of Campbeltown about two miles away, so we’ll row ashore and go for a walk later and hope somewhere is open. Other than birds (including puffins) and sheep there are no sounds; this island is lush with grass covered hills and in the distance we can clearly see the mountainous Isle of Arran – the beauty and peace of this island is breathtaking.
There is some pretty crap weather coming in for the next few days, well it is Scotland 🏴 wot did we expect 😏
Follow our adventures through the Scottish islands over the next few weeks before we venture into the Caledonian Canel and head for home down the East Coast, scary
If you haven’t yet had a chance to listen to the Tim Heale Podcasts check it out, episode 16 is already up and I’m half way through episode 17 which hopefully I will get done for Sunday 🤔 😻⛵️😻
The Tim Heale Website 