Leaving Rathlin

A civilised departure time of 9.30 saw Dark Tarn motoring slowly out of Church Bay on Rathlin Island, leaving the wreck of the Drake to starboard we headed for Rue point and raised sail. The tide was in the last half hour of ebb and as the flood began the seas began to steepen in a classic wind over tide situation. Unfortunately this couldn't be helped as we had waited for the wind to move from the South, to a more easterly direction to give us the best chance of making the course from Fair Head south. For the next hour or so however it was cutting up a little rough and the boat had water occasionally breaking right over the decks, Lynne got quite wet at one point and moved to shelter in the companionway. The tide was helping to push us towards the lee shore of Fair head so we put the engine on to head directly upwind for a mile or more. When we could make the course again the genoa was rehoisted with two reefs in and as the tide picked up under us we fairly flew south.

Fair Head  about 5 miles astern.

Luckily the over falls reduced to a lumpy swell and the sun even came out. Non the less the wind was building towards 20 knots so to make progress more comfortable we put a reef in the main.

The cliffs of Antrim flew by rapidly for the next couple of hours and Geoff texted us that 5.9 knots seemed quite satisfactory ( he was following us via the internet, Dark Tarn is equipped with AIS ) however I had to correct him as at this point we were doing 7.4 knots which by the time Geoff had checked the internet again had risen to 7.5!

The sun continued to shine as we  passed Cushenden. However some black clouds were beginning to cover the horizon to the East. I mistakenly assumed they would bring squalls but surprisingly they brought a lessening of the wind to a benign force 3

Soon we had to shake out the reefs and try to identify the entrance to Glenarm while evading the assorted lobster pots and fish farm hiding in the swells. As we put the sails away and started the engine two large painted boulders on the breakwater seemed to suggest an entrance and as we swooped in on a small wave we could see the harbourmaster Billy waiting for us on one of the pontoons. He kindly helped by taking one of our lines as we tied up to a convenient berth.

Glenarm harbour.

Billy was a mine of information about Glenarm and we quickly knew were the shop was, which of the two pubs was the best and some top tips for local walks ( which proved correct)

Also the showers electricity and laundry facilities were free which made up a little for the £23 overnight charge ( we were more used to £14-£15 a night) .

It also became apparent that Glenarm was being serious about floral displays for Britain in Bloom.

Even the few bits of waste ground were filled with wild flowers.

Rathlin nature

We had the opportunity to explore a little bit of Rathlin island during our recent stay. Lynne became particularly enamoured of seals, the grey Atlantic kind as one in particular made a home on a rock in the harbour for an afternoon.

Perhaps mischievously I named him Sorley Boy, in part because almost everyone we meet claims some direct ancestry from this historical character!

Lynne spent a happy afternoon watching Sorley boy watching her..........

We then decided to walk to the lighthouse at Altcarry Head taking in Rathlins two churches.

the Church of Scotland one

And the catholic one

quite plain I thought but very beautiful non the less. This is the church of the immaculate conception.

the fact that we were now on top of the island ( you could tell this as we were totally out of breath )

Meant that the local flora and fauna was beginning to make an impression, the dragonflies were the size of small birds however that didn't mean I had any success in photographing them.

The day was getting quite hot and the insects buzzing and butterflies everywhere made it seem quite summery.

Eventually we arrived at the lighthouse, famous for Marconis first commercial use of radio from near Ballycastle, the remains of the antenna bases are still there if you care to look.

 The following day and another lighthouse, this one near a point nearest to Fair Head.

On the way we went to have a look at the beach along from the harbour and saw quite a few of Sorley boys relatives, however this paled into insignificance when after a good couple of miles hike we got to Ushden Port.

There were probably 40-50 seals all lying around sunning themselves.

The rather un impressive East light

We had a great time using the buildings as cover and observing the seals in their natural environment.

We very nearly gave ourselves away laughing when one of the young ' guard' seals neglected his duties and chased a seabird about the bay splashing loudly and stalking the bird wherever it went!

A happy day had to come to an end as we headed back to Dark Tarn snug in the harbour....

Irish mist

A

Another 7am start to catch the tide saw the opposite bank of the river hiding in thick fog, radiation fog which forms over land accompanied by clear nights with high pressure. this one was a real pea-souper.

So it was glasses on so as better to see the plotter and acho sounder not to mention the lateral marks.

Of course most of the time visibility was limited to a vague shape of one bank or the other, sometimes it was the proverbial inside of a ping pong ball.

As we approached the Barmouth we left the worst behind and the visibility opened up, we were joined by a seal for the last section, it was obviously amusing itself by disappearing every time Lynne attempted to take his photo, something that as a sea-kayaker I am all too familiar with.

As we set course for Rathlin Island, carefully steeringg outside the Skerries opposite Portrush as the mist socked in again and it was very cold. the Fog didn't burn off all morning and as we approached Rathlin around dinner time the Island was nowhere in sight. I was slightly concerned as the plotter was telling me it was less than a mile away, and Rathlin Sound is no place to be sloppy with your position!

Suddenly it appeared in a clear spot on the port side.

My trusty hand line was retrieved, for the first time without a fish to show for it. Preparations were made for the small harbour, by rigging fenders both sides, it being Friday we were unsure how crowded the pontoons would be. We should not have worried, as we approached the entrance it became apparent that we would be almost alone!

Faced with such a plethora of choices, we opted for the most difficult, cross wind, downwind and poor Lynne had two minutes to rig and figure out how to use a mid-line, oops! However at the second attempt we made it and a bit of faffing about soon saw Dark Tarn tied up in the optimum position for a quiet night and easy exit. She gently leaned over in the force 4 easterly ( forcast was 2 or less SE or variable ) and we put the kettle on for a late lunch.

We had a quick explore and were lucky enough to find the postmistress in and despite it being half an hour after she should have closed she allowed us to withdraw some cash. We also discovered a chippy and a bar. We were sorted!

Following our usual pattern we may well stay and explore awhile!

Life on the river

We have been having a lazy time in Coleraine. We have met some very friendly people and have been enjoying watching life go by on the river Bann.

We got chatting with Dave who invited us aboard his boat 'Carrick Spray' she is another Bruce Roberts design, based on Joshua Slocums boat Spray, aboard which Slocum achieved the first solo circumnavigation. The builder obviously has a bit of a thing for pirates because she is about as far removed from an average white boat as it can be, oozes character, even has a lovely lady as a figurehead and also has a Parrot ( stuffed ) on board.

Lynne was very taken with the figurehead. I know she looks a bit Disney, but she is very practical and comfortable below.

Dave was a very interesting guy and told us many tales about his life and the river, he had come over to Northern Ireland back in the seventies at the height of the troubles, Dave was in the army, he met a girl and stayed.

He also told us about the harbour which is closer to the town centre and reached via the lifting rail bridge, we saw this in action later when the only commercial traffic came up the river. It is a ship that comes up the river once a week to pick up a cargo of scrap metal.

For the size of the ship the wake is virtually non existent.

You can see the lifting bridge in the distance.

Along with the normal traffic we have seen kingfishers, a seal , lots of Heron, and even had an elver in our toilet!

We saw these guys netting a section of the river opposite Dark Tarn, I assume they are scientists as otherwise wade netting is illegal!

As a final photo I must include the yacht "Silence" just because she is so beautiful, and also for sale!

The causeway coast

A little out of sequence however the coast we recently sailed by we had walked the week before, here are some photos of the coastline from the Giants Causeway to Bushfoot strand.

Malin Head in the far distance.

A memorial to two pilots killed in a crash, training in WW2.

Yes that's Lynne on the scary cliff top!

Looking back towards Scotland, the clouds on the horizon are where Islay is.

Black rock sands.

The rather imposing house overlooking the bay.

Rather lovely isn't it?

It was certainly worth the effort, whe I win the lottery I may well buy this building.

Northern Ireland Int Airshow Portrush

Spent a fantastic weekend at Portrush, the train from Coleraine was a very reasonable £2.40 return, we went to watch the Airshow which is free and once we had found a good spot near Ramore head we were entertained by numerous displays. Unfortunately on Saturday bad weather over England meant that the highlight of the event ( for me anyway ) the Battle of Britain memorial flight and the incomparable Red Arrows had to be postponed. Luckily on the Sunday the clouds vanished and the Red Arrows put on a truly spectacular display. This was made so much better we felt by the display area being over the sea and just off the beach.

awesome!

if you ever get the chance, go and see them they are superb.