Tag Archives: travelogues

Last night two other boats joined us in the anchorage but it was too choppy to take the dinghy over and splice the mainbrace with them. This morning there was a temporary break through the cloud and in one direction there was a definite glimmer of sunshine. The hills look much more inviting now thatContinue reading “Friday 31st July 2020 – Campbeltown at anchor”

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 FerrisContinue reading “Wednesday 29th July 2020 – Bangor (NI) to Campbeltown (Kintyre, Scotland) – 49nm 9hrs”

The facilities at Bangor marina are very good and spotlessly clean, we got a machine load of washing done then walked into town and found an Asda to stock up the cupboards. The wind is blustery here and it’s raining, so not great for sight seeing. Mick Lynn, a former ‘Poacher’ lives 45 mins awayContinue reading “Tuesday 28th July 2020 – day ashore in Bangor”

It was a good decision to hug the Irish coastline because the conditions were more favourable than offshore; however the sea was still very confused with some fairly large waves – so glad we weren’t on ‘Princess Matilda’ with Timothy Spall! Erring on the side of comfort we put away the mainsail, reefed the foresailContinue reading “Monday 27th July 2020 – Arklow (Eire) to Bangor (Northern Ireland) – 128nm – 22hrs”

We were very grateful to the Arklow HM for allowing us to go alongside and get a good night’s sleep while the winds calmed down. Eire is still closed to visitors but we agreed to stay onboard and leave in the morning, so all good. We left at 1030. Although the various forecasts for windContinue reading “Sunday 26th July 2020 – Arklow on route to Bangor”

Had a good night’s sleep and this morning motored over to Porthcressa to re-stock with fresh meat and veg. The weather forecast for the Isles of Scilly isn’t looking great so we took the decision to head north, may as well be sailing and get soaked as sit at anchor getting wet. The wind directionContinue reading “Friday 24th July 2020 – Old Grimsby to Porthcressa to Arklow, Eire”

Last night was spent trying to ascertain where a crackling sound was coming from. We checked the bilges, inside the engine compartment and peered over the side of the boat but couldn’t find the source. It sounded like we were anchored in an oversized bowl of Rice Crispies with snap, crackle and pop going onContinue reading “Thursday 23rd July 2020 – Arthur’s Porth to Old Grimsby – 4nm”

The wind is now blowing in from the west so we moved Talavera into a neighbouring cove with better cover for tonight. This cove is known as Arthur’s Porth. The water here is very clear and well stocked with tiny silvery 4” fish which are easily seen in large shoals, no wonder the gulls andContinue reading “Wednesday 22nd July 2020 – Great Granilly – Arthur’s Porth 0.5nm”

At 0630 we left Rushy Bay and headed over the St Mary’s to fill up the fresh water tanks. The only tap worked off a meter which ate £1 coins like they’re going out of fashion. Luckily the harbour toilet attendant started work early and had a pocket full of coins so changed up aContinue reading “Tuesday 21st July 2020 – Rushy Bay (Bryher) to Great Granilly – 9 nm”