The sky opened up for a bike ride in some spectacular landscape here in Scotland. I was looking forward to that and all pain was forgotten – a pure joy ride. You get it all on 50km with comfortable 1000m up and down.
The locals enjoy the beach at around 23°C air temperature and 14°C for the water. It is summer. Once body and mind are both accustomed to the weather, you will appreciate the magnificence of this nature even more.
At low hanging clouds and after a bit of hick-up with the mooring we arrived at our berth. Another arrival in drizzle and misty weather like the ones before in Crosshaven, Dublin and Belfast. In any case we were relieved, that we do not need to stay out at a mooring buoy and had to get the dinghy unpacked.
It is peak season and besides having plenty of mooring grounds, full service marinas still have some potential for further developments in this part of the world. Nevertheless this cruising area seems to offer a lot.
The evening took us into the closest pub, less than 50m away. What a welcome! STS Kapitan Borchardt (built in 1918 carrying an interesting history) and its Shanty Chor also moored in the marina. They performed a public concert dedicated to Celtic music in their polish home language.
Two famous songs got recorded: “Caledonia“ and “Whiskey in the J(B)ar“. While the latter one originates more from Ireland, Caledonia – Latin name for Scotland – speaks for itself.
Great entertainment from a vibrant and hilarious Polish band.
There is one more public house in this town!
Fair winds…
It became an exciting night including the approach into Tobermory in the very early morning hours before sunrise. Wind gusting 37kn during the night (not predicted at all) packed with occasional rain at temperatures below pleasant levels does not only build frustration but also character at certain times. 😅
Plenty of dolphins and a puffin spotted by Jan were the real highlights of this overnight passage.
We will now wait for some sunny spells to explore the Isle of Mull.
Fair winds…
Today we crossed a small area southwest of Islay marked in the charts for so-called “Overfalls”. They appear under certain conditions. 1.5kn of tidal currents against 25kn of wind is what we had – moderate conditions.
Nevertheless the sea state we went through was remarkable choppy and chaotic, nothing dangerous at all but clearly unpleasant. Once outside the boundaries we were back to normal.
Not Eddies yet, which is different to Overfalls.
Fair winds…
Co-Skipper and TideMaster Jan calculated the departure time to 3am in order to maximze the benefit from the currents on our way through the North Irish Channel.
Belfast was for me the most interesting stop in Ireland. The maritime heritage is huge and well presented. The political history not less interesting but comes with a pinch of bitterness.
Next stop: Scotland!
Fair winds…
To me, the above slogan somehow summarizes the spirit here in Belfast. It might be a bit polarizing but the industrial revolution was incredible and intense in this part of Ireland during the 19th and early 20th Century. Workers were needed and they came from all over Ireland into Belfast.
The Dock Cafe next to our pontoon here in the Titanic Quarter has got an interesting concept based on donation. Any sober business man or woman would shake his or her head around it not investing a single pound or even penny, whatever the equivalent in sterling might be.
We went there and grabbed a coffee and one of the delicious cakes. Cosy, friendly and accommodating.
Honesty works since March 2012!
We have been in numerous public houses since our arrival in Ireland but Madden‘s Bar is without doubt top notch. It got it all – even on a Monday night!
A bit outside the core city centre, the political couleur shall become clear before you join the crowed inside. Read on the photo, if in doubt. Latest when the whole pub roars “Back Home in Derry“ someone should not even think about a conversation around the crown.
We will go again tonight for a final pint or two or…
It was a long ride today but I was keen to round Strangford Lough to get a first hand impression. It was nice but not spectacular. Although not much traffic at all I am impressed about the respect cars give to bikers.
Fair winds…
The rainy day was perfect to visit the futuristic Titanic Museum next to our marina. Multimedia at perfection got our presence and attention for more than three hours. A fantastic journey through time, from incredible enthusiasm and proudness to shock and pain. Very impressive!
Fair winds…
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