Wednesday 18 June 2014 – Ravenglass and Scafell Pike

We are getting used to the idea of walking ashore from the boat. It is really quite convenient not to have to fiddle with the dinghy.  So this was the first time we have set off on an expedition in bare feet, carrying bikes, rucsacs and boots. We cycled slowly to Wasdale Head and I was revived with a cup of tea and a cake. Then walked up the path to Scafell, by way of Mickledore. The day was very still and warm, which I blamed for my slow and laboured progress. Not much of a view from the top as the clouds came and went.  Some of the mist was much lower than us, so on the way back we were lucky to see a Brocken Spectre and glory from Lingmell Fell. At the top we met a man from Keswick who had first climber Scafell Pike in 1952 and had made many trips since. He turned out to be a useful source of advice on which of the many paths to follow, and led a little group of people down a path like the Pied Piper. On our return to the valley we had more tea before the bike ride back to Ravenglass.

Warmest day so far, high pressure continuing

Tea stop

Top of Scafell Pike

Brocken Spectre and glory (use your imagination)

Wastwater

Tuesday 17 June 2014 – Whitehaven to Ravenglass

Whitehaven deserves proper exploration but the wind seemed good and it would be a shame to miss a sailing day when the weather is generally very light.

There is not a big tidal window for this trip – you can get out of Whitehaven at HW-4 according to the book, and would like to approach Ravenglass before HW.  Whitehaven look up the draft of the boat on their tidal curve to decide at what time there is sufficient depth. We opted for a draft of 1.4m (rudder fully down) and got in the lock with a motor boat. No messing with sluices, they just crack open the gates a bit to let the water out. A few yachts got in the next lock and seemed to mess for ages moving up to make room for other boats. We were very grateful for the early lock as we never saw any sails behind us as we turned S round St Bees Hd. At this point the wind was far abeam and we went a bit slowly, even with the cruising chute up. It would have been a pleasant sail in the sunshine if we weren’t on a deadline to get into the shallow estuary at Ravenglass.  After a while we made good speed with a bit more wind and passed Sellafield reprocessing plant. Against the tide all the way, contrary to my reading of the charts. Unfortunately the Eskmeals firing range was active and so their range safety boat kept us waiting for 20 minutes.  We therefore entered Ravenglass against the ebb. The back leading mark was invisible behind tall trees, but the turning buoy was visible.  We anchored in a likely spot and soon moved to shallower water on advice from a nearby yachtsman.

In the lock at Whitehaven

Leaving Whitehaven

Sellafield reprocessing plant

Dried out at Ravenglass

Now all the water has gone

Sunset at Ravenglass

Monday 16 June 2014 – Douglas to Whitehaven

Earlyish start. Light wind. A lot of motoring. Eventually we sailed well with the cruising chute for the last 2.5 hours.We entered the marina with the lock on free-flow – the lock-keeper passed over the mooring details as we went past. Well that was the idea, but I thought we had to stop which spoiled the effect a bit.

There is a lot of history in Whitehaven – it was a coal mining town from the 1300s to 1987.  Unfortunately the Haig Colliery museum was closed for major refurbishment and the Beacon museum would not open till 10am on Tuesday.

You have to take this sailing business seriously

In Whitehaven marina

Whitehaven entrance + industrial remains. Don’t come in at low water.

Sunday 15 June 2014 – Castletown and Port Erin

Took the steam train to Castletown, where we were again very well looked after by Richard and Liz. I put a new rubber joint on the tiller extension in Richard’s workshop, which was much better than trying to do it on the boat.  They then made an excellent barbecue which we ate looking out over the bay. We later paid a visit to the cafe at Port Erin which is one of R and L’s favourite spots

The steam train which runs from Douglas to the S of the island. Going up the hill from Douglas it managed to push a modern diesel shunting engine all the way to the next stop, where the shunting engine decoupled and let our train continue by itself.

Bay at Port Erin

10 to 14 June 2014 - Northern Ireland to Isle of Man

Tuesday 10 June 2014 – Ballydorn to Audley’s Roads

Down Strangford Lough, carefully avoiding the pladdies. The lough is a huge area of sheltered water but you have to move with great care as there are lots of rocky patches just under the surface.  This results from the geology – it is a flooded drumlin field. The wind was not a good strength and direction (SE 5) for leaving Strangford narrows so we picked up a mooring in Audley’s Roads.

Wednesday 11 June 2014 – Audley’s Roads to Peel (IoM)

The tide runs very fast through the narrows, so it’s a great opportunity to get a record-breaking speed over the ground on the GPS.  However owing to a minor timing error, we ended up motoring against the tide for the last part of the exit through the narrows!

Then a bit of motoring, a good sail with cruising chute, a bit of fog, fog became thicker and it seemed a good idea to take down the cruising chute, which was then very wet with fog. Fog cleared and we arrived at Peel and picked up a waiting buoy.  As there was still a buoy free and we did not want to constrain our departure time we stayed on the buoy.  Met 2 old boys with an old gaff cutter on one of the buoys. They come from Pembrokeshire and their boat has no engine. They seem happy to sail to most places. About marinas they said “we sometimes sail in – they don’t like it!”

Thursday 12 June 2014 – Peel to Port St Mary

Winds seem a bit strange around the island.  We sailed off the mooring and soon dispensed with the reef, tacking slowly S towards Calf Sound.  Here the wind seemed to come ahead so we tacked through the sound, which is quite narrow and with strong following tide so we had to concentrate on the task.  After the sound we had hoped for a gentle broad reach to take us to Port St Mary, but the wind just seemed to give up altogether.  After a bit of messing about we decided that we had already had a good sail and may as well motor the rest of the way. Picked up a mooring. On enquiry it emerged that the owner had not yet launched his boat so we could stay.

Friday 13 June 2014 – Isle of Man tour

My cousin Richard and wife Liz, who live on the island, collected us, took us for a meal and a tour of the island. Excellent day.

Saturday 14 June 2014 – Port St Mary to Douglas

Again we started with a reef, this time a necessary one.  However just round the corner, in Castletown bay, we had to take it out.  Managed to sail all the way to Douglas and after waiting for a while at the harbour wall, entered the marina.

Monday 9 June 2014 – Portaferry to Ballydorn

Slow sail up the lough with following wind – through Ringhaddy sound, finishing at Down Cruising Club at Ballydorn.

Approaching Down Cruising Club

Moored at the pontoon

Strangford Lough Yacht Club

Daft Eddie’s Restaurant and coffee shop. Had tea there.

Sunday 8 June 2014 – Portaferry and Mount Stuart

Still rather windy from the S, so visited Mount Stuart on the bus.  The house is under serious repair and so is hardly open. However the gardens are huge and interesting. Took the garden tour which was much better than just looking ourselves

Topiary which tells a story