May 2009
We are just back from our “shakedown” cruise to Scotland. We shook alright.
We loaded the car on Friday evening 1st May with as much gear as we could fit in and headed to Ringhaddy. We had been slightly delayed by some people viewing the house – prospective tenants – but nevertheless, we brought Minnie B to the pontoons and loaded most of our gear and settled down with a glass of wine.
Saturday 2nd May saw us finish the loading and filling the tanks with water. We said a farewell to David Murray who was due to leave for a round Ireland trip before we returned. David has made us most welcome at RCC and it had been a pleasure to meet him. The sun shone and we left RCC at 1130. Once out of the Narrows we had a WSW F5/6 and we flew along. We were through Donaghadee Sound an hour before the almanac recommends but still had tide with us. Crossing the entrance to Belfast Lough we hit a top speed of 9.8kts – Minnie B was in her element. We had poled out the genoa but had not got the lines right – we were missing an aft led down haul and realised we had the pole on upside down … doh. But this was what the “shakedown” was all about. We saw a pod of dolphins off Muck Island – still don’t know a dolphin from a porpoise; must look ‘em up in the book – and loved the day. The wind eased and we motored for the final two hours, arriving in Glenarm by 2030. It was not busy but we chatted with some people from Wicklow who were chartering an Elan 44, and her skipper helped us with access to the shower block. We both remarked on the wonderful fraternity (and sorority?) that is sailing.
We are just back from our “shakedown” cruise to Scotland. We shook alright.
We loaded the car on Friday evening 1st May with as much gear as we could fit in and headed to Ringhaddy. We had been slightly delayed by some people viewing the house – prospective tenants – but nevertheless, we brought Minnie B to the pontoons and loaded most of our gear and settled down with a glass of wine.
Saturday 2nd May saw us finish the loading and filling the tanks with water. We said a farewell to David Murray who was due to leave for a round Ireland trip before we returned. David has made us most welcome at RCC and it had been a pleasure to meet him. The sun shone and we left RCC at 1130. Once out of the Narrows we had a WSW F5/6 and we flew along. We were through Donaghadee Sound an hour before the almanac recommends but still had tide with us. Crossing the entrance to Belfast Lough we hit a top speed of 9.8kts – Minnie B was in her element. We had poled out the genoa but had not got the lines right – we were missing an aft led down haul and realised we had the pole on upside down … doh. But this was what the “shakedown” was all about. We saw a pod of dolphins off Muck Island – still don’t know a dolphin from a porpoise; must look ‘em up in the book – and loved the day. The wind eased and we motored for the final two hours, arriving in Glenarm by 2030. It was not busy but we chatted with some people from Wicklow who were chartering an Elan 44, and her skipper helped us with access to the shower block. We both remarked on the wonderful fraternity (and sorority?) that is sailing.
Diary - 2 May to 3 June 2009
Monday 4th May and there was much discussion on the pontoon about going or staying and how the weather forecast was poor but even worse for Tuesday. We decided to head for Largs where we could do some work on Minnie B and leave her for a few days whilst we visited daughter Anna and her husband Neil in Glasgow. We hoisted the main in Campbeltown Loch with the wind at F4 and motor-sailed out into Kilbrannen Sound. We broad reached along the Arran coast and put in a couple of gybes – we still haven’t got the tension right on the Wichard Gyb’Easy, as the boom was not completing its gybe and the rope had to be released to get the boom right across. Still it was better than nothing. The visibility was poor so we had the radar on to pick up fishing boats and the Lochranza ferry. All was well there. Then we shook. At the north end of Arran the wind started to increase and we had a steady F7 for a while, so we put in another reef. But the wind kept rising, reaching 38kts. With two reefs in the main and three reefs in the genoa we hit 10kts boat speed. If it hadn’t been raining and visibility poor then it would have been totally wonderful – Minnie B was stable and comfortable, but then these waters are very sheltered in the sense that there are no really long fetches in south-westerlies so the sea remains slight. When we turned north between Bute and Little Cumbrae the wind eased and we were back to F4. Having tied up in Largs Yacht Haven we put up the cockpit tent and then there was a knock. It was our old friend Gordon whose own boat a Feeling 45 was just a couple of places down the pontoon. Gordon was last seen with Tom and the Oyster 46 ‘Karizma’ in Gigha in 2008 and some very nice malt whisky. So we had a yarn and talked about plans for the summer. Gordon showed us over his boat – very nicely laid out inside. Dinner was on board and then we had a couple of drinks in ‘Regattas’ bar and restaurant, which seemed like a good place.
Tuesday 5th May – it rained … all day. In fact it seemed as if there was two days’ worth of rain in one day. We worked on crossing off things on our ‘To Do’ list which included servicing the two heads. The Jabsco pumps were not sucking water into the bowls without pulling off the inlet pipe and creating a vacuum – messy, but clean … but also not right. So we had two service kits at the princely sum of c£25 each. However, we only needed the O-ring on the piston replaced. Seems a bit of a con having to buy a whole kit just for one small rubber ring. Must contact Jabsco directly – another item on the ‘To Do’ list. We ate at ‘Regattas’ and the food was good – Norma had an especially nice Rump of Lamb.
Wednesday 6th May Anna and Neil came for lunch and then we loaded the car with boxes of Anna’s stuff that we had brought over and which we were not going to out into storage when our house is rented out. We called round at Silvers Marine in Rosneath to collect some spare parts and filters for the watermaker and said ‘hello’ to Bryan Collins, and thanked him for his help. We stayed at Anna and Neil’s house that night.
Thursday 7th May it rained most of the day. We visited the Burrell Collection of art, sculpture, ceramics and furniture – some lovely Degas paintings and sculpture. Worth the visit. The rain stopped long enough for us to walk in the park too. In the evening Neil’s dad, Mike, also came to stay and we watched “Octopussy” – Neil and Mike are big fans of James Bond – in fact the table names at Anna and Neil’s wedding were Bond films. Our interest in “Octopussy” had been sparked by our visit to Udaipur, Rajasthan in February – some of the filming was in Udaipur. Now that was interesting, but the film is poor. Roger Moore seems to stroll through the film and there is little menace or real excitement, but then it was made in 1983.
Friday 8th May it rained. We hung out with Anna and Neil and returned to Largs early evening, to have dinner at ‘Regattas’ and say our “farewells”.
Thursday 7th May it rained most of the day. We visited the Burrell Collection of art, sculpture, ceramics and furniture – some lovely Degas paintings and sculpture. Worth the visit. The rain stopped long enough for us to walk in the park too. In the evening Neil’s dad, Mike, also came to stay and we watched “Octopussy” – Neil and Mike are big fans of James Bond – in fact the table names at Anna and Neil’s wedding were Bond films. Our interest in “Octopussy” had been sparked by our visit to Udaipur, Rajasthan in February – some of the filming was in Udaipur. Now that was interesting, but the film is poor. Roger Moore seems to stroll through the film and there is little menace or real excitement, but then it was made in 1983.
Friday 8th May it rained. We hung out with Anna and Neil and returned to Largs early evening, to have dinner at ‘Regattas’ and say our “farewells”.
Nearly ready 22nd May 2009
From Phil
Well, not really nearly. We have done a lot but still have a lot to do. It has always seemed rather amazing that when people write about setting off, they leave with jobs still to do. I rarely sympathised with these people who have gone on to write thrilling books about their adventures. With a week to go I have discovered sympathy and understanding. Having all the jobs completed would be nothing short of miraculous, especially when we are sorting the house to rent. However, they fall into the “must do but not essential for getting underway” category. It is true that if you waited until everything was done you would never leave.
We have boxes and piles everywhere. Items fit into seven categories:
1.take on boat
2.pack for storage
3.pack to be looked after by friends
4.give to friends
5.give to charity
6.dump
7.leave in house, shed or garage.
We seem to have given so much to the charity shops that we could have opened our own.
It is quite remarkable how much stuff one collects over time. A ruthless streak has been identified in Norma and if anyone wants help in a clear out, she’s the woman to stop those “ah, yes, I remember when we got this” moments (which really means “I am thinking of keeping this”).
We have accumulated a fairly large collection of books over time and it is quite difficult knowing what to keep, what to leave behind and why to give away. Our method has been to consider what we would like to read again – is it of a size that would make sense on the boat? If yes, then take; if no, then store. There are always books that fall on the margin, so we have a policy that anyone visiting us cannot leave unless they take at least half a dozen books.
We have been sorting out back-up for our PC and learning new skills, like downsizing digital photos so that Brian can upload them onto the website. Which of course triggers the memory that there are various bits of boat kit to photograph, but when?
Then there is the packing of tools, spares, food and drink – we spent eight hours on Thursday packing and repacking stuff on the boat. We have lots of storage space but it’s all a question of how often and when will we need things … aaargh, we haven’t done this before and we are having to make some of it up as we go along. Hm, I hear you say “that will not be a new experience for an ex-Management Consultant”. Such cynicism is ill-becoming … mostly.
With one week to go (weather permitting) it does feel right and though it will be a big step for us, we think we have covered the bases to make it all work.
Having said that, this preparation is harder work than ‘work’. When I said I have worked harder in the last two months than in the last two years, a former colleague commented to-day “that is not hard to believe” – the cheek of it, eh?
As Julia observed, maybe we had better take off on a holiday.
From Phil
Well, not really nearly. We have done a lot but still have a lot to do. It has always seemed rather amazing that when people write about setting off, they leave with jobs still to do. I rarely sympathised with these people who have gone on to write thrilling books about their adventures. With a week to go I have discovered sympathy and understanding. Having all the jobs completed would be nothing short of miraculous, especially when we are sorting the house to rent. However, they fall into the “must do but not essential for getting underway” category. It is true that if you waited until everything was done you would never leave.
We have boxes and piles everywhere. Items fit into seven categories:
1.take on boat
2.pack for storage
3.pack to be looked after by friends
4.give to friends
5.give to charity
6.dump
7.leave in house, shed or garage.
We seem to have given so much to the charity shops that we could have opened our own.
It is quite remarkable how much stuff one collects over time. A ruthless streak has been identified in Norma and if anyone wants help in a clear out, she’s the woman to stop those “ah, yes, I remember when we got this” moments (which really means “I am thinking of keeping this”).
We have accumulated a fairly large collection of books over time and it is quite difficult knowing what to keep, what to leave behind and why to give away. Our method has been to consider what we would like to read again – is it of a size that would make sense on the boat? If yes, then take; if no, then store. There are always books that fall on the margin, so we have a policy that anyone visiting us cannot leave unless they take at least half a dozen books.
We have been sorting out back-up for our PC and learning new skills, like downsizing digital photos so that Brian can upload them onto the website. Which of course triggers the memory that there are various bits of boat kit to photograph, but when?
Then there is the packing of tools, spares, food and drink – we spent eight hours on Thursday packing and repacking stuff on the boat. We have lots of storage space but it’s all a question of how often and when will we need things … aaargh, we haven’t done this before and we are having to make some of it up as we go along. Hm, I hear you say “that will not be a new experience for an ex-Management Consultant”. Such cynicism is ill-becoming … mostly.
With one week to go (weather permitting) it does feel right and though it will be a big step for us, we think we have covered the bases to make it all work.
Having said that, this preparation is harder work than ‘work’. When I said I have worked harder in the last two months than in the last two years, a former colleague commented to-day “that is not hard to believe” – the cheek of it, eh?
As Julia observed, maybe we had better take off on a holiday.
Sunday 3rd May we left Glenarm at 0930 and headed for Campbeltown. Once again we had a good wind but with a bit more west in it, along with a few squalls. As we approached the Mull of Kintyre the wind was consistently F6 and we were screaming along at 8-9kts and our top speed hit 9.2kts. About 2.5 miles south of the entrance to Campbeltown Loch the wind suddenly increased and stayed at 32-34 kts – more reefing took place and we had three reefs in the main and the genoa. We were not looking forward to berthing in this. However, as we entered the Loch and turned toward the harbour and pontoon, the wind eased back. There were people on the pontoon to help us berth too. We learned that the pontoon was so full and people were about because there was a serious sewage pollution problem in Campbeltown Loch as an outfall pipe was close to the moorings. “Don’t drop your lines in the water” was the cry … “and if you do, wash your hands before putting them near your mouth”. Apparently the authorities were laying a pipe to take to outfall further out into the loch and it was going through the moorings area, so all the local boats were at the pontoon. We ended up rafted outside a Sadler 34 ‘Beez Neez’, with a very nice skipper and his dog who were singlehanding (he should have got the dog to pull some ropes) for the summer around the west of Scotland. We visited a couple of pubs: The Feathers – only OK and fine if you want sports channels on TV; and the pub next door – cannot remember the name for some reason, but it’s got a much better ambience. The Cadenhead Whisky shop was shut down – shame. We contemplated a visit to the Ardshiel Hotel to sample from their extensive whisky menu but by the time dinner was over we didn’t have the energy for the walk.
Saturday 9th May … it was not raining. Seemed most unusual. We were up at 0600 to tidy the boat and get diesel. Finally we were away by 0900 and by which time it was … raining. The forecast was for WSW F5/6 but we had SSW F3 to start with which eventually built to F5. Bugger. So we were beating – a tack over towards Arran and then close-hauled down the Ayrshire coast. The Royal Navy were on exercise off Arran – two frigates and a helicopter. We couldn’t fathom what they were up to – maybe practising pirate-hunting. It rained and it was cold. By the time we were just south of Ailsa Craig the wind died to F2 and so it was on with the engine and we motored all the way to Bangor, arriving at 2130. Now, Bangor Marina is Ok but the visitors’ berths on E pontoon are quite short, as well as the space between the lines of pontoons being quite narrow, so there’s a lot of to-ing and fro-ing to get in. Moreover, they have a “find a space for yourself” approach which means you have to faff about sorting lines and fenders once you have picked your berth. In contrast, Large Yacht Haven gave us a berth number and told us which side-to we would be before we even entered the marina – much more professional.
Sunday 10th May there was bright sunshine but little wind, and we motored to Strangford Lough. Greg and Carol were in the lough to meet us, on their new boat ‘Clodagh’, a Dufour 325 which Phil had helped sail from Southampton to Dublin at Easter. We circled them, taking photographs for them. Then it was back to the mooring and over to ‘Clodagh’ for lunch. The sun shone and it was just too good so we stayed the night on Minnie B, whilst Greg and Carol returned home – Greg is still a wage slave.
Monday 11th May we treated ourselves to bacon and egg sandwiches for breakfast – there is something quite different about the smell of bacon cooking on a boat. Then it was pack up what we were taking off and clean and tidy Minnie B.
Our shakedown cruise had been successful albeit we did not get round to trialling the towed water generator. We had crossed off many items on the ‘To Do’ list and added many more, but we felt that we and Minnie B were in fine condition for starting the great adventure
Saturday 29th May - Webmaster entry
Minnie B departs Ringhaddy mooring 09.30 in the company of “Clodagh”
Use the control bar above the picture to scroll through the images, or run as a slide show.
Minnie B departs Ringhaddy mooring 09.30 in the company of “Clodagh”
Use the control bar above the picture to scroll through the images, or run as a slide show.
30 May 2009 - 20:15 BST
We are just approaching Dun Laoghaire where we will stay to-night. We have had a momentous couple of days
On Thursday evening Nigel organised a small party and dinner for our eight close friends in NI - it was delightful, as we started in the upstairs bar at RNIYC where we could go out on the balcony in the evening sun and watch the racing. Friday we were up at the crack of dawn - Phil with something of a hangover - and it was finish all the packing as the storage people were arriving at 0930. The guys from McGimpsey were so professional and careful - superb spatial awareness as they managed to get all our personal stuff in one container. Mind you, it was touch and go as Julia's stuff filled nearly half the container. How can a 23-years old amass so much stuff ... that is worth keeping. Mind boggles.
We moved our last stuff onto Minnie B and when Julia and her friend Clare flew in we collected them from the airport and did a final shop. There were a couple of visits to say farewells - Brian and Jill, and Norma's mum and Roy. We had dinner at Balloo House - strong recommendation - and the craic was mighty. Then back at Ringhaddy for drinks with Greg and Carol on Clodagh.
To-day we were up at 0730 and after breakfast in the cockpit - no, seriously it can be done in Northern Ireland when the sun shines ... occasionally.
We said an emotional farewell to Julia who we will see in Lisbon in August. Nigel and Bertie, and David and Jackie came down to sail out on Clodagh and see us off. It was a superb moment, to feel the warmth of our friends. John and Angela Lay also saw us off - they have been so welcoming and friendly at Ringhaddy.
We motored away at 0940 into a SE F5/6 and expected lumpy seas at the Bar mouth of Strangford Lough but it wasn't too bad. We were able to bear away and shape our course on a fine reach for Dublin Bay. We romped along until 1500 at 7-8 kts with reefs in the main and genoa, but then the wind died and we wanted to get into Dun Laoghaire as we were both quite tired after the packing and preparations. oh, and the partying.
So here we are with just a mile and half to go. The sun is shining and we have had dinner. All is well with the world as our grand trip commences.
Sunday 31st May
We left Dun Laoghaire at ten o'clock on Sunday morning in lovely sunny weather but very little wind and motored down the east coast of Ireland heading for Kilmore Quay, which is just "round the corner" from Rosslare. There was more adverse tide than suggested in the pilot book (as usual) and with no wind assistance, progress was at times frustratingly slow. We stayed outside the Arklow Banks, which meant we were a long way off shore, but we got a good view of the wind farms on the banks - very impressive. There was remarkably little traffic and we both got the opportunity to read and sleep! After six o'clock the tide was in our favour , we picked up speed and got round Carnsore Point, on the south-east tip of the coast, around nine. It was a clear evening with some moonlight to help us and we managed to pick up the leading lights to guide us into the harbour entrance at Kilmore. The small marina was much more crowded than we anticipated, as a yacht club has been established, so many local boats use it as their base. However, we found a spot, albeit a small one, and finally tied up at eleven, rather tired but happy with the day's outcome.
We left Dun Laoghaire at ten o'clock on Sunday morning in lovely sunny weather but very little wind and motored down the east coast of Ireland heading for Kilmore Quay, which is just "round the corner" from Rosslare. There was more adverse tide than suggested in the pilot book (as usual) and with no wind assistance, progress was at times frustratingly slow. We stayed outside the Arklow Banks, which meant we were a long way off shore, but we got a good view of the wind farms on the banks - very impressive. There was remarkably little traffic and we both got the opportunity to read and sleep! After six o'clock the tide was in our favour , we picked up speed and got round Carnsore Point, on the south-east tip of the coast, around nine. It was a clear evening with some moonlight to help us and we managed to pick up the leading lights to guide us into the harbour entrance at Kilmore. The small marina was much more crowded than we anticipated, as a yacht club has been established, so many local boats use it as their base. However, we found a spot, albeit a small one, and finally tied up at eleven, rather tired but happy with the day's outcome.
Wednesday 3rd June - 17:18 BST
More unpacking and stowing has taken up a lot of the day - in clearing the house it was a case of "get it onboard and we'll sort it later". Still can't find the Tonic Water. The Marina Manager at Kinsale Yacht Club marina, Paul Murphy and his assistant Gareth, are both superb, and have ordered up some spares for us - there is no chandlery in Kinsale and the nearest is Cork. The big excitement today was the arrival of the sail training ship, Tenacious. She is berthed on the pontoon just along from us - if they had asked to raft up outside us we would probably have declined. With the wind blowing them onto the pontoon they executed a superb turn using the anchor and then kept the anchor on to avoid moving the whole marina shorewards. The people of Kinsale are very friendly and helpful - the Supervalu supermarket offered to take our supplies back to the boat for us but we decided we needed the exercise. Final checks of the weather forecast this evening and tomorrow, then we hope to be underway soon after David and Jacquie arrive. Fingers crossed for a good passage.
More unpacking and stowing has taken up a lot of the day - in clearing the house it was a case of "get it onboard and we'll sort it later". Still can't find the Tonic Water. The Marina Manager at Kinsale Yacht Club marina, Paul Murphy and his assistant Gareth, are both superb, and have ordered up some spares for us - there is no chandlery in Kinsale and the nearest is Cork. The big excitement today was the arrival of the sail training ship, Tenacious. She is berthed on the pontoon just along from us - if they had asked to raft up outside us we would probably have declined. With the wind blowing them onto the pontoon they executed a superb turn using the anchor and then kept the anchor on to avoid moving the whole marina shorewards. The people of Kinsale are very friendly and helpful - the Supervalu supermarket offered to take our supplies back to the boat for us but we decided we needed the exercise. Final checks of the weather forecast this evening and tomorrow, then we hope to be underway soon after David and Jacquie arrive. Fingers crossed for a good passage.
Monday 1st June
With a trip of 80 miles to Kinsale, we decided we needed to leave at eight o'clock. Once again, we had plenty of sunshine but no wind so it was another long motor. In fact, it was so warm that we were in t-shirts and bare feet - a first for us on Minnie B. The highlight of the day came mid afternoon when we were joined by eight dolphins who came to play in the bow waves and stayed with us for about half an hour. They included a mother and baby, and some performed amazing acrobatics, clearly enjoying themselves. We arrived at Kinsale early evening.
With a trip of 80 miles to Kinsale, we decided we needed to leave at eight o'clock. Once again, we had plenty of sunshine but no wind so it was another long motor. In fact, it was so warm that we were in t-shirts and bare feet - a first for us on Minnie B. The highlight of the day came mid afternoon when we were joined by eight dolphins who came to play in the bow waves and stayed with us for about half an hour. They included a mother and baby, and some performed amazing acrobatics, clearly enjoying themselves. We arrived at Kinsale early evening.
Tuesday 2nd June - 17:27 BST
We are now tied up at Kinsale Yacht Club marina who have free wifi. We've a couple of days to get final preparations complete(ha ha!) before David and Jacquie join us on Thursday. Then we hope for a favourable weather forecast to get us to northern Spain....Major disappointment of the day - we cannot find any tonic water and have evidently left our supply at home. Oh well, we hope the tenants appreciate the gesture.
We are now tied up at Kinsale Yacht Club marina who have free wifi. We've a couple of days to get final preparations complete(ha ha!) before David and Jacquie join us on Thursday. Then we hope for a favourable weather forecast to get us to northern Spain....Major disappointment of the day - we cannot find any tonic water and have evidently left our supply at home. Oh well, we hope the tenants appreciate the gesture.
Sanda Light, Mull of Kintyre
Sunset at Carnsore Point
Norma at Kinsale waiting to leave
Sail training ship “Tenacious” at Kinsale
