Lamlash to Bangor - Friday 10th June 2011 - Day 35
We slipped the mooring buoy at 07.30 and out of the bay passed the south channel lighthouse at 07.45.
The impressive Pladda lighthouse was passed an hour later and with one reef in the main and 3/4 jib we set course for Ireland. We were not the only one on the route as the P&O fast ferry 'Express' which was picked on the AIS doing 30 knots, one mile astern of us. I was a bit worried about this impressive ship, namely the wash from it, as they have a reputation in the press of toppling boats over. The wash from this was very little in the sea conditions and the ferry was 10 miles ahead of us before the wash reached us, so no more worries.
By 11.30 we were passing Ailsa Craig one mile to the east. This is a spectacular volcanic plug with sheer basalt columns forming massive cliffs. This is home to an enormous gannet colony who nest from the grass line on top of the cliffs and all the way down. Gannets with their white plummage and yellow cheeks are one of the most impressive of sea birds as they fall out of the sky from a great height, just tucking their wings in as they hit the water is a sight to behold, when you are close by seeing and hearing the splash but do not see where they come back up, so do not know if they have caught anything.
By 15.00 it was full main and jib as we picked up a steady wind enabling us to maintain a good course and speed to Bangor where we tied up at 20.30 on a visitor's pontoon. We had travelled 60 miles in 13 hours. Ashore to the nearest chip shop was not the best move and we were disappointed with the meal
but the two pints of Guiness in the nearest pub were a delight. Back on board we both slept very well, happy to be out of Scotland and a new adventure in another land.
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