Bliss
Mon 11 Jul 2016 08:49
5am start, cloudy, grey morning. Wind had dropped overnight so no problems leaving pontoon and even managed to fill up with diesel before locking out of marina, really helpful, efficient staff.
Our plan was to sail around the north of the Isle of Man to Peel on the west coast, about 42 miles.
Wind was building, but on the nose , sea was rough, boat very roly-poly with frequent slams, tide was more northerly than westerly so only making five knots, (potentially 9hours!), and with motor running, some dark force was directing diesel fumes into the cockpit, Chris vomited up his tea and sea-sickness tablets!!! After five days land/marina based activities this was a very rude awakening, so......change of plan, change of direction and destination; head for Douglas on east coast, only 38 miles, crack out the sails, turn engine off. Not long before we were racing along at 7 knots, boat now more steady, less slamming, no diesel fumes, Chris looking less green, although the Irish Sea isn't going to make life too easy for us and occasionally throws a bucket of salt water over whoever is helping just to remind us not to mess with her.