On to Bangor
Marita3
Mark & Helen Syrett
Sat 16 May 2015 19:03
The engine was restored to good health by Derek yesterday morning so we checked the forecast and decided to leave for pastures new last night. The main problem for the last week has been a large and deep low over Iceland causing the strong winds. Apart from being pinned to the pontoon by the wind so leaving was hard work, we sailed out of Dun Laoghaire and northwards. It was cold but the wind was good, 20 knots for the first part of the night. After midnight the wind increased, and increased again with the sea playing catch up. As the gusts were 30+ knots We reefed down to three reefs and with a handkerchief of jenny were hammering along at speeds of 8 knots! We arrived at the tidal gate three hours early and decided to punch the tide until it turned. At about 8am the winds decreased and the seas gradually calmed down, only to change their mind when we turned for Belfast Lough. We arrived into the marina with the wind howling and had to pick up a pontoon without the bow thruster which hadn’t liked being massaged by big waves. We are here until another weather window presents itself next week.