2019 - First Leg - A Farewell to Scotland
Preparation
Most of the prep for our second year had already been done two years ago. Just the starting point was changed, ie Greenock instead of Liverpool, because of change in plans due to weather restrictions - what else! Also, we decided to have a somewhat shorter time away this year, so two months instead of four.
Lunar Sea had been in the James Watt Dock at Greenock for 21 months. I had been up every 2 months in that time to check on everything; bilges, engine, ropes, etc., but I must say that the staff at James Watt were really helpful and kept a good eye on the boats. Especially during and after the winter storms when I had a fender burst and a rope parted. One of many in the Marina I was told and quite rare to have such a storm in the direction it came from (North West).
The summer last year was fantastic for Scotland and in the 3 separate week sailing holidays we had out of Greenock, I think we only had one day of rain in all that time and absolutely fantastic sailing around the Firth of Clyde with of course the gorgeous scenery in the sunshine.
We were sorry to be leaving Scotland, but the 1000+ round trip by car to check the boat was getting a little much. We will be leaving the Scottish hospitality and of course Jaxx home made burger shack at the quayside - a must if you ever get there. I had found out whilst we were here that my maternal Grand Mother was born less than a mile away from the boat in Greenock in the house she lived with her family.
So the two months should easily get us to Bristol for this year and take in a little more of SW Scotland before the crossing to Northern Ireland, then Southern Ireland, a crossing to Wales and finally to Bristol. So I have named this part of our trip; "Lunar Seas Five Nations Adventure". Also, the road trip to Bristol is only about 200 miles, so a lot easier and offers a good base for the town and surroundings.
Preparation for this part of the trip itself was nowhere near as well thought about as our first year because of our house move at the end of last year with time spent on decorations, etc. and also me having a small job for the first 4 months of the year.
Luckily most of the chartwork prep had already been done, so just the change of route and trying to encourage people at last minute, it seemed, to join us for parts of the trip if they wished.
We had planned to set off 1st June this year in a hope to miss the bad weather we encountered last time and spent a few days beforehand with final boat prep; fuel, water, etc and of course victuals.
We were now ready for our "Five Nations Adventure".
Our last look at James Watt Dock
Greenock to Largs, 1st. June, 2019
We left James Watt Dock at 12;30 to make use of the small South going tide, but after our last burger from Jaxx - gorgeous. The 17 mile trip to Largs was painfully slow, the boat didn't feel right and despite the small tide. Against a Southerly 13-15 knots with only a Main Sail out we could only make just over three knots. Something was not right so I felt I needed to have Lunar Sea lifted in Largs for at least a wash off but also to examine the Propeller and perhaps change a anode or 2 if needed. I phoned ahead and booked the lift for the morning which luckily meant we could moor up for the night just below the hoist. I say luckily because after the lift and re-float we were sent way out to a finger berth which wasn't fun with all the rain and wind for the next few unintended nights we would stay in Largs mainly because of the weather.
Waiting Pontoon at Largs
The lift out somewhat shocked me with the amount of mussels that had attached themselves to the hull fixings, keel, rudder and prop shaft. They took a good pressure washer and a alot of scaping to get rid of them. It definitely explained the loss of speed and uneasy handling of Lunar Sea and would also cure my log reading failure and intermittent depth readings. The
prop was fine (you hear stories of props getting eaten in Marinas because of spurious electrical currents) but the shaft anode was all that needed replacing. I had fitted a new one before we left Ramsgate in 2017 alongside a partially eaten one. There were no signs of either of them. I reckon the mussels had eaten them - even the fixings.
prop was fine (you hear stories of props getting eaten in Marinas because of spurious electrical currents) but the shaft anode was all that needed replacing. I had fitted a new one before we left Ramsgate in 2017 alongside a partially eaten one. There were no signs of either of them. I reckon the mussels had eaten them - even the fixings.
Once re-floated, the short trip around to our finger berth was as if I was in another boat
Whilst in Largs the Topper Nationals event was taking place. These intrepid, mostly youngsters, were going out in some awful cold, wet and windy conditions - they must build them tough in Scotland - even Lunar Sea would not have liked it.
During our stay in Largs we managed to take a bus trip just down the coast to Irvine and have a look at the possibility of going in there if we needed to. It was possible but not many facilities. The Scottish Maritime Museum on the quayside was great for me as it had a lot of old steam engine and a lovely "triple expansion engine" - I was in "engineers heaven".
The main shopping arcades were on a bridge over part of the meandering river and I got dragged into the modern age by getting an upgraded phone, only to find out after one and a half hours that they didn't have a Sim Card for it so I would have too go back later. I mainly needed to change my phone because it was not taking good photos any more. At least by the main camera and it was difficult to use the 'selfies' one when taking seascapes as I really couldn't see what I was taking!
Largs to Troon - 4th June, 2019
The 20 mile trip to Troon was pretty much uneventful - very light Southerly airs and flat calm. A mixture of sun and showers - all very pleasant and our first sight of the impressive Ailsa Craig at the entrance to the Firth of Clyde.
The entrance to Troon is a little tricky with low depths in places and not easy to make out until only a short distance away. There are also a few low depth areas once inside the breakwater, but these tend to be close to the harbour walls and well charted. We had no problems.
The entrance to Troon is a little tricky with low depths in places and not easy to make out until only a short distance away. There are also a few low depth areas once inside the breakwater, but these tend to be close to the harbour walls and well charted. We had no problems.
Troon Marina has a really safe feel about it and of course the locals were friendly and helpful. We have experienced this warm and friendly feeling all over Scotland and so far never anything else. It is a far cry from the 'rat race' we have on the South Coast. Just such a shame about the weather up here and the travelling distance.
During our 2 night stay we managed to take the train back up the coast back to Irvine to sort out my new phone and spent the evening at 'Scotts' the swanky restaurant on the quayside for a fantastic meal and remembering Frank & Steph with whom we spent an evening at 'Scotts' in Largs in 2017.
Troon to Girvan - 6th June, 2019
The forecast was for Southerly 10-12 knots, gusts of 16. It was wrong - generally 15/16 knots and gusts of 22. Not a good direction for us but with a little tide we were making about 4 knots. The problem was that sea had picked up quite a bit with the wind against tide and Lunar Sea was slamming straight in to it, knocking our boat speed right down. Our 21mile trip which should have taken just over 4 hours eventually took 6 berth to berth and my 'bunny' was not very happy. The first mutiny of the trip and only averted by an apology and some fish and chips!!
The entrance into Girvan is tricky with low depths either side of the entrance for about 100m. My problem was that Girvan itself and the entrance was in a 10 mile Latitude band that was not covered by my 'C-map' charts (SW Scotland and Irish Sea) - quite annoying. I had to revert to some of my paper charts to determine waypoints that I could transfer to the C-Map plotter. It worked out fine going back to the 'old way' of doing things. Leaving Girvan would also create the same problems but at least I had a course line that I could follow that I hadn't hit anything coming in!
Girvan itself looks a lovely little town and a shame that we couldn't stay longer but next days forecast looked almost perfect.
Girvan to Stranraer - 7th June, 2019
Its all in the planning, should we go to Portpatrick on the exposed West coast - a 28 mile trip today and a shorter 22 mile trip crossing the Irish Sea to Bangor, or, do we take the 22 mile option to Stranraer, tucked up at the end of a fairly sheltered Loch then a longer 37 mile trip to Bangor.
Storm "Miguel" was due to hit us some time during the night. Two days ago it was forecasted at 45 knots and last night reduced to 35 knots from the West. Portpatrick is exposed from the West and although there is shelter in the small harbour, we would be moored alongside the harbour wall and the swell can be pretty nasty.
Stranraer was the choice. The entrance to Loch Ryan about 16 miles and a further 6, past the Ferry terminals of Port Ryan (Stena Line) and Cairnryan (P&O Ferries) and via a marked channel to the marina at the Stranraer end. The entrance to the marina is straight forward and well marked past the old, disused now, ferry terminal. It does have limited visitor spaces, but this time of year it was not very busy and there was still a fair amount of room.
We arrived about 17:00, and being a Friday the Harbour Master had already left for the weekend. When I phoned him he gave us the gate and facilities codes and told us about the 'honesty box' system for payment in case we didn't see him - all very trusting - I couldn't see that working in Ramsgate!
All in all a lovely trip, which made up for the previous one to Girvan yesterday; N 9-10 knots wind, a lot of tide, sun and no rain! Sailed most of the trip just with the engine on 'tick-over' and averaged just over 5 knots. The view of Ailsa Craig passing only 3 miles away was wonderful, just like Bass Rock of 2017 in the Firth of Forth, but not as white - less birds presumably! Also, Northern Ireland was seen for the first time from about 37 miles away.
Unfortunately, the loaming black rain clouds, which we had been following us for the last 3 miles, although never giving us any rain, gave us a massive squall just as we were mooring up. It gave us a few minor problems but helped by the use of a small grappling hook and line to help bring us alongside. Although I have had this on board for years it was only the second time I had ever used it - the first being in Girvan to help bring the stern in against a bit of tidal movement.
During our 3 night stay we took a bus trip to Portpatrick, with a view of still perhaps visiting but the harbour wall and vertical ladder at low water didn't appeal to Julia.
What a lovely place though this is and again very friendly. Originally, a small fishing harbour but then became the ferry port to Ireland presumably in Victorian times and early 1900's until it moved to Stranraer but now a delightful harbour and reminiscent of a Cornish fishing village. Well worth a visit if you ever get the chance - and they make their own beer!
We spent the second day in Stranraer catching up on laundry and small boat stuff and finding out about a small workshop building rowing skiffs just along the foreshore. In fact they are hosting a 'World Skiffie Championship' in July with about 140 boats on Loch Ryan from afar away as Australia. A pity we will miss it - looked like it would have been great fun.
Well it looks like we shall be leaving for Bangor. I think we shall both be a little sad to leave Scotland. Even with its bad weather, the scenery and people both make up for that in 'bucket loads'.
However, we must press on and tomorrow Northern Ireland calls . . . . . .
The Marina berth at Troon
Troon to Girvan - 6th June, 2019
The forecast was for Southerly 10-12 knots, gusts of 16. It was wrong - generally 15/16 knots and gusts of 22. Not a good direction for us but with a little tide we were making about 4 knots. The problem was that sea had picked up quite a bit with the wind against tide and Lunar Sea was slamming straight in to it, knocking our boat speed right down. Our 21mile trip which should have taken just over 4 hours eventually took 6 berth to berth and my 'bunny' was not very happy. The first mutiny of the trip and only averted by an apology and some fish and chips!!
Ailsa Craig
Girvan itself looks a lovely little town and a shame that we couldn't stay longer but next days forecast looked almost perfect.
The lovely little Harbour at Girvan
Its all in the planning, should we go to Portpatrick on the exposed West coast - a 28 mile trip today and a shorter 22 mile trip crossing the Irish Sea to Bangor, or, do we take the 22 mile option to Stranraer, tucked up at the end of a fairly sheltered Loch then a longer 37 mile trip to Bangor.
Storm "Miguel" was due to hit us some time during the night. Two days ago it was forecasted at 45 knots and last night reduced to 35 knots from the West. Portpatrick is exposed from the West and although there is shelter in the small harbour, we would be moored alongside the harbour wall and the swell can be pretty nasty.
The Impressive Ailsa Craig from 3 miles
P & O Ferries, 'European Seaway' at Cairnryan (taken the day we left, the day we arrived the sky was Black!)
All in all a lovely trip, which made up for the previous one to Girvan yesterday; N 9-10 knots wind, a lot of tide, sun and no rain! Sailed most of the trip just with the engine on 'tick-over' and averaged just over 5 knots. The view of Ailsa Craig passing only 3 miles away was wonderful, just like Bass Rock of 2017 in the Firth of Forth, but not as white - less birds presumably! Also, Northern Ireland was seen for the first time from about 37 miles away.
Unfortunately, the loaming black rain clouds, which we had been following us for the last 3 miles, although never giving us any rain, gave us a massive squall just as we were mooring up. It gave us a few minor problems but helped by the use of a small grappling hook and line to help bring us alongside. Although I have had this on board for years it was only the second time I had ever used it - the first being in Girvan to help bring the stern in against a bit of tidal movement.
Stranraer Marina
Loch Ryan from Stranraer's Foreshore
During our 3 night stay we took a bus trip to Portpatrick, with a view of still perhaps visiting but the harbour wall and vertical ladder at low water didn't appeal to Julia.
What a lovely place though this is and again very friendly. Originally, a small fishing harbour but then became the ferry port to Ireland presumably in Victorian times and early 1900's until it moved to Stranraer but now a delightful harbour and reminiscent of a Cornish fishing village. Well worth a visit if you ever get the chance - and they make their own beer!
Portpatrick - Victorian Hotel on the hill & Harbour Wall Moorings to the right
Portpatrick Entrance - Northern Ireland on the horizon
Stranraer Skiffs
Evening over Loch Ryan from Stranraer
However, we must press on and tomorrow Northern Ireland calls . . . . . .
Good pictures !
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