Sailing adventures on a Hallberg Rassy 40 in higher latitudes
We had to sail back to Ballycastle to wait for the right weather to go to Scotland and continue North. But we put some of our resources in this post in case other people could find them useful. Ireland is definitely a fantastic place to sail and we
Our journey around the Coast of County Donegal was trouble free until our heating stopped. Fortunately we had planned a stop at Killybegs, (a vibrant Fishing Port with friendly locals) to service our life-raft giving us chance to fix the problem and indulge in local cuisine and rich Irish culture.
Sailing to Derry in Northern Ireland needed some careful planning. Swells and currents made it treacherous, but the Causeway coast’s cliffs were breathtaking. Mooring was a nightmare, akin to a Barentsburg night. Despite closed galleries, Derry’s history, food, and street art made it very memorable.
Ballycastle is clearly a popular Summer tourist destination and as soon as we arrived here, we got the Spring feeling.
Coming into the harbour can be a little dramatic as the Atlantic swells easily get quite big. To get into the harbour you have to do a sharp turn around the break water, but as soon as you have turned the corner, the inner harbour is nice and calm.
In Belfast, we enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere and great restaurants. We continued to Glenarm, a small village with lots of historic points. We took a trip to the neighbouring marina where a scene from Game of Thrones had been filmed. the the wind was right to continue to Ballycastle and sailing around the dramatic cliffs Fair Head into its well-protected harbour.
Spending a few days in the lovely Belfast, we have been visiting art galleries and have had some very good food and entertainment, but also visited the Titanic museum, which was a touching experience. Belfast is a great mix of new quarters, traditional bars and lots of street art.
After returning from London, our plan for a smooth transition to Ireland faced unexpected delays due to persistent winds in Greenock. When the weather finally cooperated, we set sail, rediscovering the joys and challenges of life on the water. Anchoring near Belfast channel entrance before navigating the shipping channel to our marina in the vibrant Titanic Quarter.
12th May 2023 After careful consideration weather to set sail or not on a Friday (as it means bad luck in the UK) we decided not to challenge the gods and motor today. Also it …
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