1. Winter 2006-07
Minnie B stayed on her mooring over the winter and we had the occasional day sail. In order to keep her dry, we had the dorade vents facing forward and two hatches partially open so that there was a flow of air when the wind blew and we also used some absorbent crystals and dehydrating bags. This worked very well and regular visits ensured she was in good shape.
2. Spring 2007
In March, Phil dived to check the anodes and with help from David was able to change the anode on the end of the shaft and two of the anodes on the rudder – yes, Sikaflex can be worked underwater. It was good to know that we could change anodes without drying out or lifting out.
In April we carefully measured the drying pad at RCC in order to scrub her bottom – we would just fit. With help from Brian and David (bribed by an excellent Irish fry for breakfast) we took Minnie B alongside the RCC walkway and waited for the tide to fall. We had marked the railings with tape so that we knew exactly where to position Minnie B so she would settle on the drying pad, and we were just right.
The powerhose did a great job but there was only just enough time.
With wind blowing us onto the supports to the walkway we needed space and time to get underway, so we took lines to mooring rings on the slipway to windward and as the tide rose we hauled her away from the walkway. Overeagerness to drop the rudder resulted in blowing the brass disc in the hydraulic pump – it was a benefit as we learned how it worked in safe conditions. The down side was a nasty blow to Phil’s head as he connected with the locker lid and lots of blood. Just superficial though!
In April we carefully measured the drying pad at RCC in order to scrub her bottom – we would just fit. With help from Brian and David (bribed by an excellent Irish fry for breakfast) we took Minnie B alongside the RCC walkway and waited for the tide to fall. We had marked the railings with tape so that we knew exactly where to position Minnie B so she would settle on the drying pad, and we were just right.
The powerhose did a great job but there was only just enough time.
With wind blowing us onto the supports to the walkway we needed space and time to get underway, so we took lines to mooring rings on the slipway to windward and as the tide rose we hauled her away from the walkway. Overeagerness to drop the rudder resulted in blowing the brass disc in the hydraulic pump – it was a benefit as we learned how it worked in safe conditions. The down side was a nasty blow to Phil’s head as he connected with the locker lid and lots of blood. Just superficial though!
We had hauled off enough and returned to the mooring without further mishap.
The sill at Peel Harbour
New antifouling May 2007
Leaving Bangor with Jackie
Norma Enthused about heading off
Antrim Coast
Port Ellen marina, Islay
Jackie chilling out
5. Summer Cruise July 2007
We had no particular plan other than to go sailing for 7-8 days on the west coast of Scotland – an early plan to sail directly to Tobermory was dropped for a more leisurely pace.
Bangor to Port Ellen, Islay Wednesday 4th July
David and Jackie had come onboard on the evening of 3rdJuly for a meal – we could remember how much we drank the following morning, so clearly it wasn’t too much.
We left Bangor at 0810 in glorious sunshine with wind W F2-3 – as we wanted to make Port Ellen we motor sailed across Belfast Lough and north up the Antrim coast. We punched the tide at first as we needed the north going tide to take us out of the North Channel.
3. Gentlemen’s Cruise May 2007
With Norma and three of her friends heading for Venice, it was decided that a Gentlemen’s Cruise was in order. It was to be Peel on the Isle of Man – a new destination.
On Friday 4th May, David and Phil took Minnie B round to Ardglass – again no wind and motored. Another visit to the Commercial Arms was in order and a decent meal on board was followed by only a quick visit to the naughty cupboard.
Big mistake though as we went onto a finger pontoon close to the shore – it was pretty much high water when we arrived on Friday night and there seemed to be plenty of space. However at 0830 on Saturday and low water we could not steer straight off the berth. Brian and Nigel arrived and we rigged lines onto an outer pontoon so that we could haul the stern round and miss the rocks. That worked well.
We had wind SSE F4/5 and our trip to Peel took five hours – we had a cracking sail but could have done with more heat and sunshine.
We took a walk around the castle and along the seafront, where we met Norman Wisdom – he did his trip routine for us and he was impressed by David’s height , calling him “Streaky”. David was not impressed.
The pubs hadn’t got round to a smoking ban so we didn’t stay long.
We had dinner at the Niarbyl Café, Dalby. Great views and Phil’s lobster was good but the other mains weren’t the best.
Sunday 6th May saw us leave Peel at 1200 when the sill was lowered.
The wind was SWF4/5 and with the north bound tied we could not lay Ardglass. We were due to meet Jackie and Bertie in Ardglass for dinner at Aldo’s at 1930. With beating we were never going to make it, so at 1830 the engine came on and we motored, arriving at 2000. A phone call to Aldo’s had alerted them and a quick change of clothes meant we soon had the much-wanted G+T’s. Our meal was superb and the staff were exemplary – go there.
Nigel, Bertie, Jackie and Brian returned home and David and Phil took Minnie B back to her mooring where a sudden squall hit with 35kts just after tieing up.
A good trip, but could have done with more heat and sun.
On Friday 4th May, David and Phil took Minnie B round to Ardglass – again no wind and motored. Another visit to the Commercial Arms was in order and a decent meal on board was followed by only a quick visit to the naughty cupboard.
Big mistake though as we went onto a finger pontoon close to the shore – it was pretty much high water when we arrived on Friday night and there seemed to be plenty of space. However at 0830 on Saturday and low water we could not steer straight off the berth. Brian and Nigel arrived and we rigged lines onto an outer pontoon so that we could haul the stern round and miss the rocks. That worked well.
We had wind SSE F4/5 and our trip to Peel took five hours – we had a cracking sail but could have done with more heat and sunshine.
We took a walk around the castle and along the seafront, where we met Norman Wisdom – he did his trip routine for us and he was impressed by David’s height , calling him “Streaky”. David was not impressed.
The pubs hadn’t got round to a smoking ban so we didn’t stay long.
We had dinner at the Niarbyl Café, Dalby. Great views and Phil’s lobster was good but the other mains weren’t the best.
Sunday 6th May saw us leave Peel at 1200 when the sill was lowered.
The wind was SWF4/5 and with the north bound tied we could not lay Ardglass. We were due to meet Jackie and Bertie in Ardglass for dinner at Aldo’s at 1930. With beating we were never going to make it, so at 1830 the engine came on and we motored, arriving at 2000. A phone call to Aldo’s had alerted them and a quick change of clothes meant we soon had the much-wanted G+T’s. Our meal was superb and the staff were exemplary – go there.
Nigel, Bertie, Jackie and Brian returned home and David and Phil took Minnie B back to her mooring where a sudden squall hit with 35kts just after tieing up.
A good trip, but could have done with more heat and sun.
4. More Pottering
Minnie B needed antifouling, so on Sunday 19th May we made the trip back to Carrickfergus – close hauled from Bar Pladdy to South Briggs. We motored then to Carrickfergus, arriving by 2100. Too tired to bother going home and returning for the Monday morning lift out, we had dinner and stayed the night.
We has investigated alternatives to the very expensive and not so effective Trilux. We settled on Jotun SeaAlu which only comes in 20l containers and there’s a choice of black, red or blue. We settled on blue but it is less than half the price of Trilux. Carrick Marine Projects did a great job
Once Minnie B was launched again, we decided to stay up in Bangor Marina until our departure for Scotland at the beginning of July, on our short summer cruise with David and Jackie.
Dinner on board and we looked forward to seeing something of Islay.
Islay Thursday 5th July
By 1400 the wind had strengthened and moved NW so we were sailing close hauled.
Crossing the traffic separation zone off Northern Ireland with our heading more or less at right angles, we sighted a submarine on the surface. It looked as if it would pass ahead of us. Our position was just where the traffic separation zone forms a dog-leg. When the submarine reached it, it turned sharply – straight onto a collision course with us. There was no-one on the conning tower that we could see, so prudence being in order we bore away to starboard sharply to pass astern of the submarine. This was all a bit disconcerting as there was lots of sea-room, masses of depth and very clear visibility. Maybe Her Majesty’s finest were exercising might is right.
We put in a couple of tacks and made Port Elllen by 1915.
Having tied up we had a drink in the lingering sunshine and then spotted “Schiehallian” and inevitably had to socialise for a while with David and Margaret, who we met in 2006 in Campbeltown and Tarbert.
Crossing the traffic separation zone off Northern Ireland with our heading more or less at right angles, we sighted a submarine on the surface. It looked as if it would pass ahead of us. Our position was just where the traffic separation zone forms a dog-leg. When the submarine reached it, it turned sharply – straight onto a collision course with us. There was no-one on the conning tower that we could see, so prudence being in order we bore away to starboard sharply to pass astern of the submarine. This was all a bit disconcerting as there was lots of sea-room, masses of depth and very clear visibility. Maybe Her Majesty’s finest were exercising might is right.
We put in a couple of tacks and made Port Elllen by 1915.
Having tied up we had a drink in the lingering sunshine and then spotted “Schiehallian” and inevitably had to socialise for a while with David and Margaret, who we met in 2006 in Campbeltown and Tarbert.
“It’s this big” - cockpit tent keeps the rain off
The weather forecast had been for showers so we prudently erected the new cockpit tent the previous evening – this covered the whole cockpit and we called it the conservatory.
So what do you do on Islay? Only one thing – visit a distillery. We checked out the visiting times and selected Ardbeg – some mis-reading of the OS map or some overestimation of our walking pace meant that we arrived at the allotted time well out of breath and looking as if we had run a marathon.
So what do you do on Islay? Only one thing – visit a distillery. We checked out the visiting times and selected Ardbeg – some mis-reading of the OS map or some overestimation of our walking pace meant that we arrived at the allotted time well out of breath and looking as if we had run a marathon.
The distillery was fascinating – especially discovering that death from falling in to the mash vats is due to carbon dioxide asphyxiation rather than drowning. We were invited to stick our heads in to the top of the mash vat to find out – horrible and very sharp sting to the back of the throat. Not a nice way to go!
The whisky tasting was a delight for Phil as he is an Islay malt fan – less so for Norma, David and Jackie who favour Highland malts.
A gentler walk back to Port Ellen, a quick pint at the Ardview Inn and then reading and rest in the cockpit tent as the sky darkened and it poured with rain in that very Scottish way.
We had to wear full waterproofs for the dash to the White Hart for dinner. The meal was fine albeit that that atmosphere was, well … absent.
We had to wear full waterproofs for the dash to the White Hart for dinner. The meal was fine albeit that that atmosphere was, well … absent.
Ready for power washing on the drying pad at Ringhaddy Cruising Club
After power washing
