054:15.714 N
005:36.352 W

Ardglass

The wind did follow the forecast and by 0900 we were sailing with full main and jib, watching with relief and delight as the wind filled in more and more. By 1100 we’d rolled the jib away and had the spinnaker pulling us along beautifully.

Horizon to horizon blue sky and a very gentle sea state meant “Jimmy” the autohelm coped admirably. In fact we soon settled in for what can genuinely be described as one of the most stunning day sails either of us have experienced. It was utter perfection; we had over nine hours downwind sailing of which over six hours were with the spinnaker; a south going spring tide meant we regularly touched 8 knots. It really couldn’t get any better and we took it in turns to sit up at the bow and soak it all up.

Within an hour of the spinnaker going up, Copeland Island our original destination 25 miles away was rushing up fast; after some number crunching we agreed that with this beautiful wind we’d continue on a further 30 miles.

Good decision; TC then glided past the entrance to Belfast Lough and on past Strangford Lough where we crossed our original path from 8 weeks ago. As the wind eased off we rounded the corner into Ardglass with Van Morrison’s “Coney Island” playing on Bol’s recently installed cockpit speaker.

Entry into Ardglass at spring low was straight forward, at minimum speed and weaving our way around rocks and cardinal marks we were greeted by two Harbour Seals, one on either side. We turned into the tiny marina to have our lines caught by the friendly boat owner on the next door pontoon, whose first words were ‘Welcome to Ardglass’.

Supper in the warm sunny cockpit, with the resident Grey Heron fishing nearby, has ended an incredible day, it was definitely worth waiting in Glenarm yesterday for today’s wind.