Spring Bank Holiday had finally arrived and as planned we were to move Trinculo to Scotland for the summer. Barrie and Andy had earlier moved Trinculo out of Wardley’s Creek on the river Wyre and round to Glasson Dock. The mast had been removed and repairs and modifications had been carried out. The mast had been re-installed.
I arrived (late as usual) to pick up Barrie at his home in Poulton Le Fylde. I had Chris Heyworth with me who was to drive my car home. We arrived at Glasson and after stowing our provisions we made our way to the Victory where the Everards Beacon Bitter was sampled. The Following morning was spent completing the wiring connections at the base of the mast and installing our ‘New Toy’, an all singing all dancing piece of navigation equipment. It’s a Raymarine E120 which displays a chart, your course, speed, ETA and can overlay the Radar on top of the chart or show it separately. It can also receive weather information, hell it can even play DVDs.
Bob and Andy had arrived so final preparations to leave were taking place.
GLASSON DOCK TO DOUGLAS (Isle of Man)
The Marina staff informed us that the lock gate would be opened at twelve thirty to allow us in to the outer harbour. Our lines were slipped and we joined four other boats manoeuvring by the lock. It was twelve fifty when the lock keepers arrived and by twenty past one we were rafted up in the outer harbour waiting for the main lock gate to be opened. We were on neap tides so it was five minutes to two (thirty five minutes before high water) when we moved out in to the river Lune. There was not a lot of water under our keel and we moved straight out to the marked channel, even in the channel there was only a couple of feet between the bottom of the keel and the river bed. Cautiously we made our way down the channel towards the Lune Deep. A reefed down foresail was put out as the wind was from the East gusting up to force six. We crossed Morecombe Bay under sail in moderate seas and the Barrow Windfarm was left to our port as we made our out in to the Irish Sea. This was not going to be the most comfortable of passages to the Isle of Man. We held our speed of between five and six knots throughout the afternoon and evening despite being thrown about by the sea. As the evening wore on the wind eased and sixteen miles from Douglas the engine was started and we motored towards Douglas in still rather confused seas. Douglas Harbour Control was called on the VHF and informed that we were one mile off and requested permission to enter. We also asked for times when we could enter the inner harbour. The Harbour Master replied that there would be a Bridge lift at twelve forty five. We increased the revs on the engine as it was doubtful if we would make it in time. It soon became apparent we would be a few minutes late. As we entered the outer harbour the Harbour Master called us on the VHF and told us the bridge would stay open for us. I took the helm and Andy went to the bow to warn me if I was going to hit anything, while Barrie prepared our lines and fenders, there was no sign of Bob, he must have still been asleep. Our speed was maintained through the outer harbour and after entering the inner harbour I engaged reverse to slow us down and moved Trinculo over to the harbour wall where Barrie and Andy started to tie us up. It was then that Bobs head appeared out of the cabin and he asked when can we go in to the inner harbour. It was one in the morning when having tied up we settled down to a beer, supper and then sleep or should I say back to sleep.
We awoke to bright sunshine with the strong easterly wind still with us and a forecast that it was going to remain the same for the next few days. The inner Harbour Master appeared and gave us instructions to berth on the pontoon further inside the inner harbour. We moved further in and turned Trinculo round for two reasons the first being so the strong easterly wind would not be blowing directly through the hatch in to the cabin and the second being that our exit would be easier. One of our reasons for coming to the Isle of Man was that a friend and colleague who owns a Westerly Fulmar called “Helvellyn” was taking part in a Westerly owners get together at Port St Mary here on the island. It surprised us to see Helvellyn as we moved to the Pontoon. Thinking about it Port St Mary would not be comfortable with an easterly blowing as the swell would be driven right inside the Harbour. We soon bumped into John who had Barrie’s two sisters Jean and Beverly on board Helvellyn with him. We agreed to take the Bus down to Port St Mary with them and arranged to meet them at the Bus Stop at twelve forty. We grabbed a sandwich and were on the bus when we saw John, Jean and Bev running for the Bus (It’s normally me that’s late) Barrie talked to the driver until they reached the Bus. We traveled down through Ronaldsway, Castletown and Port Erin on the top deck passing farmland and the islands rugged coastline before reaching Port St Mary. On arrival we had a look around the harbour and a lot of yachts bouncing around in the swell. We met up with the Westerly owner’s association crowd and were invited to their welcome Bar B Q at six that evening. We then hit The Albert Hotel a former temperance hotel and now in the Good Beer Guide (GBG) where the Bushy’s Manx Bitter was spot on. At six we moved across to the Yacht Club and made our donation towards the cost of the food. The next two hours were spent socialising and drinking Okell’s in the Yacht Club bar. It was then back to the Albert for a last Bushy’s before catching the Bus back to Douglas. The Yacht Club was still open at Douglas and we met up with Pam who claimed to remember Barrie. It was then back to the boats and bed.
It was decided (not sure by who) that we would take the steam railway down to Castletown for the day as the strong wind warning was still in place. We boarded at eleven forty and half an hour later we were in Castletown. Harbour having a look round. We called at the Castle known locally as the “Gluepot” (GBG) for a pint of Okell’s. It was then on to the Nautical Museum where we heard the story of George Quayle who was a local dignitary and a member of the House of Keys, but in fact made his money by smuggling. He made many elaborate modifications to his house and his boat called the Peggy to hide his smuggling activities. We then took a look around the town centre and spotted the original House of Keys as Castletown was then the capital. It was then round the shops and while buying some odd Sausages (what the hell is Dragon supposed to taste like) we bumped in to John, Jean & Bev, and drifted back towards the Railway Station. We took the opportunity to call in at the “Sidings” (GBG) which was the local CAMRA branch’s pub of the year in 2003 and 2006. The pub has ten hand pumps which left me spoilt for choice. I tried out the Castletown bitter which is brewed by Bushy’s as the old Castletown brewery is now housing. We ended up in the sheltered back garden of the pub in bright sunny weather and the beer was spot on.
Our train journey back to Douglas was delayed due to a fire on the line, the joys I suppose of Steam travel.
Once back in Douglas it was back to Trinculo for food and then out on the town on this Bank Holiday Monday. To say we were disappointed is an understatement we had a look at the Bushy’s tent on the promenade which is set up for the T.T. fortnight, it was not busy and then a very loud Rock Band started up, it was time to leave. We moved on to the “Prospect” (GBG) only to find it closed, so it was back to the docks and the “British” which was open but the beer Okells left a great deal to be desired. It was then on to the “Saddle” (GBG) where the beer was on form, a couple of pints later after watching the weather forecast on the television we headed back to the boat. John, Jean and Bev turned up after being out with the Westerly owners association for a meal; with John’s cry “Is this a dry boat” I stuck to the beer while Barrie got the Whiskey out. The ladies went back to Helvellyn and I gave up and went to bed. Barrie and John polished off the whiskey loudly, I was woken a couple of times with “Is this a dry boat” as another drink had not arrived. I’m told he staggered back to Helvellyn at around two in the morning.
The following morning I was woken up by rain so I turned over and went back to sleep. The rain eased and we had a late breakfast and then did a few small jobs on Trinculo including adjusting the rigging. The rest of the day was a bit of a washout as the rain set in for the day. We did let Barrie go to the supermarket on his own which is something we have come to regret in the past as he tends to buy half the supermarket, this time all he turned up with was Cream Cakes and a replacement bottle of whiskey. The evening was spent at the Railway where we sampled Okells Chequered Flag which is brewed for the T.T. fortnight. It was then back to the Bridge on the Quay for the rest of the evening.
We awoke again to the sound of rain, but at least the forecast for the next day was better. Andy went off with Jean & Bev to the Jurby Junk Shop on the other side of the island. We had little left to do, so we made another of those fundamental errors of judgement, Barrie came with us to the Supermarket to do our top-up shopping. The usual happened and £104.68 later we managed to get him out of there. After stowing our purchases onboard it was back to the shops to buy a new frying pan and ‘Steam Cooker’ for the boat. While out we bumped in to John who seemed to have recovered from the excesses of the other evening and seemed to be enjoying his day off from his female crew who were with Andy. We went for a pint in the Bridge on the Quay with him. By evening we were all back and for the first time in about three years a Customs & Excise man came aboard. He took details of all on board and then left. We heard on Channel 14 the Harbour control that a tall ship was operating by taking passengers on short trips, so we went down to take a look. There was no sign in the outer harbour or by the ferry terminal building (never did see it) so we called at the Bushy’s tent, but the loud rock music started again so we left. I bumped in to Andy Mitchell from Radio Wave in Blackpool; he was on the island commenting on the TT for a Radio Station. We made our way back to the Saddle (GBG) and then finished back at the Bridge on the Quay.
DOUGLAS TO PEEL.
It was finally time to move on and at seven thirty five the following morning we moved off the pontoon and made our way to the Sill / Lifting Bridge. As arranged at seven forty five the Bridge lifted and we made our way out. Once clear of Douglas Bay the sails were hoisted and the engine stopped. We sailed slowly in light winds past Laxy, Maugald Head and across Ramsey Bay where despite being two miles out we could still hear the roar of motorbike engines. The wind died as we rounded the Point of Ayre (the most northern point of the Isle of Man) Barrie got his fishing rod out and for once was quite successful catching a Pollock, a Codling and half a dozen mackerel. The wind had dropped to nothing so the engine was started as we turned south towards Peel. We moved in to Fog which gave us the ideal opportunity to try out our New Toy. We stayed one mile off the coast using the Radar and chart plotter as our guide. On arrival at Peel we rafted up to a yacht from Fleetwood and waited for the Bridge to be lifted so we could make our way in to the inner harbour. An hour later we were rafted up to another yacht in the inner harbour. The smell of Fish & Chips from just across the road was strong and the temptation proved too much. The sun was shining and the table in the Cockpit was set up to eat our Fish & Chips al fresco. We had just finished eating and the beer had come out when totally unexpected a man walking along the quay was recognised by two of us, Mick was born on the Isle of Man but has lived in Blackpool for most of his life and was a colleague of ours at work. We invited him on board for a beer, but he declined as he was on his way to meet up with some relatives. We arranged to meet up later at pub. We later called in at The Peveril and had a pint of Okells with Mick before moving on to the White House (GBG) which have a good range of Real Ales on hand pump. We tried out the Bushy’s and the Taylor’s Landlord in the small front room. It was then on to the Creek (GBG) where the Marston’s Pedigree was sampled together with Bikers from all over Europe and even some Americans. It was then back to the Peveril for a last one.
PEEL TO PORTAFERRY (Northern Ireland)
We had arranged for a Bridge lift with the Harbourmaster for Nine o’clock the following morning and at ten to nine we signaled him that we were ready to leave. Ten minutes later we were clear of the bay and making our way across to Northern Ireland. There was little wind and again the visibility was poor. We sailed for a while, then motored, then sailed again when we had the wind. It was low water when we reached the entrance to Strangford Lough. The tides in the entrance are notorious, but as it was just after low water our entrance was relatively benign. It gave us a chance to have a look at the latest addition to the landscape the worlds first commercial Tidal Power Station. It is still being commissioned and the rotors were out of the water. It has a central tower and what looks like two aircraft wings with a propeller on each wing. When it is working it will make use of the three hundred and fifty million tons of water which pass through the entrance on each tide. It will produce 1.2 Mega Watts of power for around eighteen hours per day. It was just after low water when we pulled in to Portaferry Marina and noticed that this side of the ferry pier had dried out. This could be the opportunity to replace the anode on our propeller which seems to have disappeared. A word with the Harbourmaster followed who assured us that it would be fine to dry out at the pier. A walk round the village followed (nothing here in the Good Beer Guide) and after a pint of Bass in the Sun we moved on to the Fiddlers Green, where as the sun was shining we had a quiet pint in the back garden. It was then back to the boat for food and then on to the Portaferry Hotel where sitting at the tables outside we watched the sun go down. We then moved back to the Fiddlers Green where we had spent an evening and most of a night nine years earlier drinking with the owner Frank McCarthy and being served by Margaret Hamilton, both are still there. They claimed to remember Bob and myself, but I have my doubts. It was however a great pleasure to see them again. Frank still Folk singing while playing the Guitar and Margaret still behind the bar. We said we would be back the following evening.
It was a bright sunny Saturday morning when we had breakfast while waiting for the tide to turn, to move Trinculo over to the Ferry Pier to dry out. Another yacht beat us to it and they were doing a job at the top of their mast with the help of a Hydraulic Platform (Cherry Picker). Half an hour later, job complete he moved off and we moved in. Some local youths were jumping in to the water despite being drunk and it was not yet midday. We tied up to the pier and set the lines so we take to the ground and lean slightly in to the pier. The local youths who were in their early twenties were still drinking “wicked Blue” became the bain of our lives for the next few hours. One was constantly trying to get aboard and even when we had touched the ground kept asking “Go on take us for a sail”. The water finally receded and we had a look at the hull while avoiding loads of broken bottles, I wonder who threw them in! The hull was not bad at all, the propellers anode was replaced and the waterline cleaned, the rest just got a light brushing to remove some encrusted mud without removing too much Antifouling. We left two on board at all times to ward off the youths while the other two went shopping and bought meat, charcoal etc for our Bar-B-Q By late afternoon the youths had gone to annoy someone else and we settled down to our Barbie. It was eight thirty in the evening when Trinculo started to float and by nine Trinculo was back in the Marina and we were on our way back to the Fiddlers Green. The place was packed and Frank was again doing his act together with a number of other musicians and singers. Some more seats became available by the window and we moved over. The Singer / Musician who was then playing was, I’m informed, the local Vet. Barrie was sat next to a youngish lady who was celebrating her birthday, perhaps celebrating a bit too much as she fell asleep on Barrie’s shoulder and even her friends could not wake her. Why does this sort of thing always happen to us or should I say always happen to Barrie. At closing time we said our goodbyes and left as the ‘Birthday girl’ was being walked home supported by two of her friends.
PORTAFERRY TO SKETTRICK ISLAND
The morning came and after breakfast we made ready to leave. The harbourmaster just made it to collect our mooring fee of twenty pounds for our second night. We moved out in to Strangford Lough and pulled out the sails but the wind was just off the nose so we started to tack. After an hour it became patently obvious that we were not going to make it, so the engine was reluctantly started. We had no paper chart for Strangford Lough so we were again relying on our ‘NEW TOY’, the upper reaches of the Lough are very shallow and even half way which is where we were heading there are many rocks and shallows to catch out the unwary. We turned in towards Skettrick Island (it is only an Island at high water) and spotted the old Lightship which is home to the Down Cruising Club. After picking our way in, staying in the channel the clubs pontoon came in to view and we headed for it. The volunteer Piermaster took our lines and in no time we were tied up. After lunch everyone on board fell asleep except me, I went in search of the only pub in many miles that is in the Good Beer Guide. Daft Eddies is a bar and restaurant I had visited before on our last trip to Strangford Lough which was nine years previously. I soon found it again and little had changed, still only one handpump which was serving a Northern Ireland brew from the Hilsdon Brewery called Sunsolstice. After two evenings drinking keg beer this tasted so good I had a second. Back at the boat Andy spotted a fox which appeared to be digging in the sand after the tide had receded, the friendly Piermaster was approached and he told us that the fox was after crabs. We had decided to eat in Daft Eddies that evening and made our way there fairly early as we had no reservation. We of course had to wait but with the beer flowing no one cared. A table was found for us and we had what I can only describe as an exceptional meal. So after a last pint we made our way back to the Cruising Club. I should explain, the Down Cruising Club is located in an old Lightship which is difficult to describe, it has been well fitted out with a bar and reception area and where possible the original fitting have been retained. We spent a couple of hours chatting to the few members in about everything from sailing to Northern Ireland politics.
SKETTRICK ISLAND TO DONAGHADEE
A lazy start to the Monday morning with breakfast as we were waiting for the tide, there was no point in getting to the entrance to Strangford Lough before high water. We said our goodbyes to the volunteer piermaster and his wife as they were taking their yacht back to a mooring and then going home. We were now alone on the pontoon, we paid our ten pounds mooring fee through the Clubhouse letter box and made ready to leave. We motored down the Lough towards the entrance in light winds and past Portaferry at high water and made our through the entrance in, again benign conditions. On reaching the Irish Sea we turned north towards Belfast. About half a mile out the fog rolled in and the Radar became our best friend again. The Autohelm stopped working, this was not to be our day, but a loose connection was located and this rectified the problem. We sailed north for the next few hours with the fog coming and going and then as suddenly as it arrived it was gone and we were in bright sunshine. Donaghadee came in to view and we turned in. The first space on the inner harbour wall was empty and we moved in and tied up. The Bar-B-Q came out again as we settled down for the evening.
After food we went to have a look at the very small marina, Bob Andy and myself were satisfied looking from the wall, Barrie of course wanted to get inside. All he succeeded in doing was setting off the alarm, when he looked round we had all gone leaving him to it; he caught us up before we made it to the pub. Our intention was to have a look round and started with the first pub called “Pier 37” which has been extensively refurbished and extended since our last visit. The emphasises was on food and the Licensee was welcoming, we ended up watching a couple of episodes of the BBC series Coast on DVD being played on the big screen. I have to also mention the Smoking Area at the back of the building; it is impressive and has a country cottage feel to it. We stayed until closing time.
DONAGHADEE TO PORTPATRICK
The following morning we had breakfast and then went shopping to top up on a few things and buy some more beer and Charcoal leaving Andy onboard. Barrie’s phone rang when we were in the butcher’s, it was Andy telling us that the Harbourmaster had been round asking us to move as another vessel wanted the space we were in. We were soon back onboard and ten minutes later we were pulling out of the harbour. The relatively short voyage (around 18 miles) across to Portpatrick was mainly done on the engine as there was virtually no wind. We entered the harbour and tied up to the wall. Barrie had phoned some friends who were now living in Portpatrick Peter and Elaine , they had invited him round and of course we all turned up. I don’t know what they thought when three strange men turned up with Barrie, but then as they have known Barrie for a long time perhaps they have learnt to accept these things when he is around. Peter invited us to his local the Crown Hotel, but we diverted him (after showing him around Trinculo) in to the Harbour House Hotel as this has three Real Ales (It was in the Good Beer Guide but for some reason is no longer) we sampled the Abbott Ale and the Taylor’s Landlord. It was here I started to plan my escape, I unfortunately had to return home and Chris at home had checked the internet to get me the Train Timetable from Stranraer. Speaking to a number of locals the Bus is one hour shorter than the Train to get to Carlisle and is cheaper. This in fact started quite a discussion at the bar. As we were sitting outside, Peter stopped Diesel Dave who made a phone call and I was booked on a Wagon leaving Stranraer the following morning. We returned to Trinculo for food and the Bar-B-Q came out again. Elaine then came aboard for the guided tour and we retired to the Crown Hotel for the evening.
It is here I must end my log as the following morning Peter turned up and whisked me away to a Wagon which was to take me to the Forton Services near Lancaster but due to a mix up with the load was diverted when we were near Carlisle to Livingstone in Scotland so I was dropped off and got a taxi and the train home.
Kevan
After Kevan left us we continued on to Clyde marina via Sanday Is. and Campbelltown, arriving on the Friday evening. The following day Trinculo was closed up to be based at Ardrossan for the summer season and we picked up a rent car to return home.
Date From To Hours Miles
24th May Glasson Dock Douglas I. of Man 11.05 55.4
29th May Douglas Peel 9.00 41. 1
30th May Peel Portaferry N.I. 7.35 29.2
1st June Portaferry Skettrick Island 2.45 10.3
2nd June Skettrick Island Donaghadee 9.00 33.3
3rd June Donaghadee Portpatrick 5.00 18.8
4th June Portpatrick Sanday Island
5th June Sanday Island Campbelltown
6th June Campbelltown Ardrossan
