All done and dusted

Well here we are in Aberystwyth, the final destination of this year’s trip.

We had a great sail today from Pwhelli in light winds and warm sunshine.

We saw dolphins who came close to the boat but who sadly were uncooperative when it came to photos

.Arrival at Aberystwyth was very straightforward and my wife Jane says that  she really likes the facilities here.... they are all bilingual !

Anyway this is the moment to thank all three of you who have followed this blog. I have had a truly great time and enjoyed every minute of the trip and I hope you have enjoyed reading my banal missives en route.

Thanks to all those people who helped me to reach Aberystwyth in one piece and to those whom we have met en route ... it has all been a hugely memorable experience for me.

I look forward to completing the trip back to Faversham, next Summer... after I have repaired a few leaks and given Calismarde a bit of a tidy up!

Thanks again

Geoff 

Through the mighty Bardsey Sound to Pwhelli

Bardsey Sound beckoned us early this morning and we were relieved tofind a flat calm when we awoke.

We motored the 12 miles down the coast and arrived just after high water whilst it was still calm. 

Despite the peaceful sea, the Sound was a cacophony of  breaking waves swirling water and a strong tideThankfully we emerged unscathed and had a lovely sail along the the South coast of the Lleyn Peninsula into Cardigan Bay

After a short wait at anchor we are now in the massive marina that is Pwhelli

The town is remarkably pleasant and was largely developed in the 19th Century as a tourist destination thanks to the railway, which still runs to Machynlleth

Tomorrow is hopefully the last day of our journey to Aberystwyth!

Down the Lleyn Peninsula

After Janes triumphal arrival yesterday we enjoyed an evening in the bars of Caernarfon before leaving at 7 this morning to face the other famous Caernarfon bar.....the formidable Caernarfon Bar marking the exit.... or entrance of the Menai Straits

Thankfully , after a uneventful crossing back into the Irish Sea we enjoyed a boring motor sail against strong head winds and were happy to drop anchor at Porth Dinllaen by early afternoon

We initially couldn’t leave the boat because of strong wind. However by teatime we were able to get ashore for a walk and a drink in the Ty Coch

This is a beautiful seaside village owned by the National Trust and which once housed an Iron Age fort. Tomorrow we tackle Bardsey Sound en route to Pwhelli

Conway to Caernarfon through the scary Swellies

Conwy has a lovely marina and Mal and I were so pleased that my sister Pat made the effort to visit us for lunch  yesterday to enable us to have a thoroughly enjoyable family reunion.

After lunch, the crew ventured into Conwy which is a very interesting walled town. The Normans cleverly built the castle right next to the railway obviously knowing that it has regular connections to London via Crewe.

On our return to the boat we enjoyed a chat with our neighbour about our forthcoming journey to Caernarfon via the fearsome ‘Swellies’. Despite previous reassurance that we could reach Menai Straits in just a few hours, it was clear that this was not at all possible. Rather  than have an easy day and an afternoon departure, the crew unanimously decided there and then to leave early today. Our neighbour was part of a large boat rally called the ‘La La Rally’ and invited us to join them as they too were heading to Caernarfon for the night.

After a largely uneventful morning sail, we arrived at Menai Bridge in good time to pass throughthe Swellies at high water. We phoned the marina in Caernarfon to check there was enough space for Calismarde, bearing in mind that there are 30 boats on the rally. The kind and friendly harbour master asked if we could arrive before the other boats and suggested we pass through the Swellies immediately.

It was with some trepidation therefore that we, as ‘Swellie Virgins’ led the flotilla through Menai Bridge into the fearsome narrows. 

These were less exciting than we expected, although the banks of the Menai Straits are beautiful.

Needless to say, by the time we arrived at Caernarfon all the other boats had overtaken us but despite that he kindly placed us in a prime position.

Tomorrow, my brother Mal leaves to go back to Carlisle. It has been a thoroughly enjoyable week during which we have experienced several challenges punctuated by visits to several high ranking real ale pubs.

We now look forward to a couple of days preparing for the arrival of our new crew mate.

Croeso I Cymru

We are now resting happily in a marina berth in Conway, surrounded by very expensive looking boats

We have travelled quite a way over the last few days, having left Peel at 2.30am on Monday morning. After a slow start in pitch darkness we were pleased to pass the calf of Man at first light

After an uneventful motor sail we felt relieved to arrive in Holyhead  by teatime.

It is not until you visit Holyhead that you realise how massive the breakwater actually is. It took several years to build, is over a mile long and took the lives of 40 workmen. We decided to stay in the marina for the night but were shocked to discover that the marina no longer exists, having been destroyed during winter storms at the beginning of the year. We were fortunate therefore to be able to pick up a buoy at the Holyhead Sailing Club. I am pleased to say that the marina is currently being rebuilt and should reopen by next year 

My brother Mal was very pleased to discover that the Sailing Club sold Black Sheep beer and so he was able to introduce me to this delicious beverage.

After a day of reflection we have today sailed the relatively short distance to Conway past the Great Orme, where we are going to stay for a couple of days in order to enjoy a small family reunion before the trip down the Menai Straits.

This is a picture of The Great Orme

No 4G in Peel

Having used up all my data allowance, I am now reliant on WiFi in order to use tinternet

Yesterday was spent going around the Isle of Man on various buses. We visited Douglas, Laxey and Ramsey before returning to Peel to meet up with Peter and Fenella who live on the Island

Today we have visited Peel Castle and are preparing ourselves for the trip to Holyhead tomorrow. My brother Mal says that he really likes the Isle of Man and particularly  Okell’s bitter. He was however rather scared by the lifelike model of the dreaded Black Dog of Peel Castle

Mal is thinking about buying a massive motorbike in order to ride around the TT circuit, so any advice in this regard would be gratefully received. He would also like to hear if anyone could lend him some tight leathers to try.

I will write again whenever I can find free WiFi 

Dolphins and fair wind on the way to Peel

After a leisurely breakfast in Ardglas, we set sail at lunchtime for gentle 30 mile trip to Peel on the Isle of Man

The time past relatively quickly and was enriched by a visit from a group of dolphins which swam next to the boat for about 10 minutes. Sadly, the anticipated sighting of Minkie  whales did not materialise

I learnt that it is very difficult to photograph dolphins ... particularly when you are also steering but try to imagine the scene from this photo!!

We were pleased to arrive in Peel just before high tide and when it was still light, so were able to enter the inner harbour after only a short wait.

I really like Peel, which is fortunate as we will be staying here for a few days for crew change and sightseeing.

Down the coast to County Down

Today’s theme has largely been: rain, cloud and little wind.

We left Bangor early and enjoyed heavy rain for most of the morning

The crew modelling her vintage sailing onesie

. Unfortunately the visibility was poor but thanks to a favourable tide we arrived in Ardglass in good time to have a meal in the very welcoming Golf Club and then settle down to watch the football.

Ardglass is a lovely little harbour which dates back to the early 18th century. It once had a booming herring fleet but sadly it is looking a little tired now

The golf club is housed in a building that claims to be one of the oldest club buildings in the country. It has a spectacular view towards The Isle of Man, where we hope to be heading tomorrow.

Dawn off Ballygally Head

One of the highlights of this trip has been to come to Northern Ireland and to sail past Ballygally Head with Lucy on board.

We did this early this morning and so arrived in Bangor in time for a late breakfast 

We were delighted to welcome Lucy’s father, Peter and sister, Felicity on board and we spent another pleasant afternoon chatting, drinking tea and eating ice cream.

This is a most picturesque coastline and we hope to enjoy more of it tomorrow when we hopefully head to Ardglass which is about 35 miles awayI don’t think we will start so early tomorrow!

Black Head

Avoiding the Larne ferry

A lovely day in Glenarm

My friend Tonny left on the 10 o’clock bus to Larne this morning in order to get to Belfast airport to catch a plane to Gatwick
Before long however I was delighted to welcome Peter aboard, along with Lucy and Will, my new crew mates.

We spent an enjoyable afternoon chatting  drinking tea and eating strawberries before Peter had to get home to tend to Molly his cocker spaniel.

In the evening we were interested to watch some rehearsals for the Orange day parades which all take place on Thursday
Tomorrow we’re off to Bangor...... early start to catch the tide!!

More headlands on route to Glenarm

The excitement from yesterday’s football took its toll on the crew, so a gentle morning was spent reading the papers and generally recovering.

As lunchtime approached we felt ready for the arduous task of motoring the twenty miles to Glenarm in a flat calm sea.

After passing several headlands like this one:

we arrived at Glenarm by early afternoon.

This is a very pretty town with a picturesque Main Street and two welcoming pubs.

They are also hosting a traditional All Ireland’s  wife carrying contest here next month , in Glenarm Castle. Sadly I will miss this as I undoubtedly would have won.

Tomorrow we bid a sad farewell to yet another crew mate. My friend Tonny has been a great support in enabling us to negotiate the treacherous tides of the inner Hebrides and I am most grateful to him for his help. In his place we welcome Will & Lucy who are here to not only provide local knowledge and expertise in our journey South but also take over the running of the boat whilst the skipper has a rest in anticipation of the semi final against Croatia.

(Backup) Goodbye Bonnie Scotland.... hello Ballycastle

Well here we are in beautiful Ballycastle.

We were sad to leave Islay, particularly as we did not get to visit the Laphroig distillery but this disappointment was easily replaced by the excitement and joy of sailing to the North of Ireland.Ballycastle was most welcoming and we enjoyed watching the second half of the football in the Harbour Inn.

My friend Tonny made a new pal in Alistair who was able to give him a full and comprehensive .... although somewhat one sided...rundown of Northern Irish politics in  about 4 minutes.... He left feeling fully enlightened by the conversation.

Ballycastle is a lovely seaside town with an expanse  of sand and interesting history. It was once a thriving industrial town famous for its coal mining glass manufacturing and soap making.The marina is well protected from the elements and ideal as a stopover en route South. Tonight, after a tasty meal in the Ballycastle Hotel, we have enjoyed listening to music and planning our trip to Glenarm tomorrow, where there will be a crew change.

Into the Atlantic swell etc..... continued

Tomorrow we head for Northern Ireland... how exciting is that!

Her are some other photos from the last 2 days adventures

This is a distillery in the Sound of Islay

Port Ellen

Yet another picture of the boat in a marina at sunset ..... note that Calismarde is the smallest and the only wooden one!!

Into the Atlantic swell..... then out again

Yesterday , after a peaceful night in Tobermory we decided to circumnavigate Mull and sail past Iona on route to an anchorage in Oronsay which is a small island just south of Colonsay

The weather was such that the Atlantic swell was rather too much for the skippers stomach and he disgraced himself by being queasy over the side.

He was relieved to arrive at the anchorage where the crew all enjoyed a hearty supper

There was only one other boat in the anchorage. It was from Germany and looked rather like a conservatory on water. My friend Tonny  says he would like one but is worried that his tomatoes may taste salty and that a greenhouse in the garden would be significantly cheaper.

Today we headed down the Sound of Islay, which is s narrow passage of water not a new music fad. We passed lots of distilleries  which all make Islay whisky, including Laphroig...which  is my favourite malt whisky Sadly y we  arrived in Port Ellen too late to pay any of them a visit. Despite this, my friend Tonnyand I thoroughly enjoyed a bottle of Islay beer, before heading off to the Islay Hotel for an enjoyable supper. We then enjoyed watching the ferry arrive and demonstrating to the skipper how to properly manoeuvre a boat.

Here’s the story from Tobermory

Well here we are in Tobermory on a swinging mooring just like the Swale..... well not quite!

After a gentle sail from Oban we arrived at 2.30 in time to do a bit of shopping and have an early supper. It certainly is a quaint town with all its coloured buildings along the seafront and clearly is popular with the super yacht community as can be seen in the photo

We plan to head further South tomorrow and aim to get to Antrim by the weekend in order to complete the next crew change 

Locks Rocks and Lochs

Today was the day we had to leave the Caledonian Canal and with stiff competition to secure one of the places on Neptunes Staicase at 8 am ,’we had to be smart. We were up against large Swedish and German  boats with all the  aggression that goes with that, but having befriended the lock keeper and by hovering close to the lock gates at 7.45 we managed to be the first inside

What a relief!

We then enjoyed a gentle motorsail down Loch  Linnie having been overtaken by all the other racing boats with big thrusting engines and enjoyed the challenge of passing through the Lynn of Larne where there are lots of jagged rocks separated by narrow stretches of water.We arrived at Oban , the ‘Fishing Capital of Scotland’ in time to watch some of the football and then enjoyed ..... guess what..... a fish supper.

Oban is a lovely Victorian town dominated by the ferry. The restaurant was packed but the manager told us that on one day in February this year they had three customers one day and it is completely dead out of season.

Tomorrow we hope to reach Tobermory unscathed.