Still in Peel

Still in Peel, can’t really say stuck as the sun is shining with little wind, although yesterday was blowing a gale, however the forecasters in their wisdom say it won’t last, and after all we have to believe these experts sometimes; also having watched a ketch slamming his way south under motor and mizzen this morning I am quite happy not to be out there, so I wait a bit longer checking the forecasts hoping to see one that favours me, any wind not from the south would be nice! The worst question raising its head is how much longer do I wait before admitting I won’t get away this winter and start negotiating a winter berth. A few nights ago I was woken by the gas alarm, which annoyed me as these are usually false alarms, having turned off all the power I went back to sleep. On investigation in the light of day I found the stop-tap behind the cooker had a small leak, having a spare in my stores I replaced it with no further rude awakenings.

Peel

Still in Peel and with southerly or south westerly winds forecast for at least the next four days, it begins to feel like They do not want me to leave the Irish Sea. I will try do upload picks as soon as I can get a fast enough connection.

The Start Sept 14th

Left Mourne finally, with a respectable farewell committee at the lock gates leaving the Newry canal; keeping to the marked channel as there was not too much clearance on the rising tide until Warrenpoint docks, then had a lovely sail out of Carlingford lough and into the Irish Sea. We (Snow White and I) managed about fifteen miles, about four hours, under sail when the wind died completely, after which we motored the rest of the way to the Isle of Man. Once we were in deep water, about half way, the swell got up making progress slower and very uncomfortable and allowing me to feed the fish and any passing seagulls! Since speed was  between two and four knots as sea state allowed I now decided to reach Peel at around daybreak and not rush to make the tidal entrance into the marina. Having been met by a flotilla of fishing boats rushing out, tying up to the breakwater in Peel was easy especially as there was virtually no wind and only one other fishing boat there; allowing me time to rest before entering the marina around midday.

Having delayed my departure until the passing of hurricane Katia, I am now booked to lock out of Newry canal on Wednwsday 14 always weather permitting, for my first leg over to the Isle of Man; where it looks like I could be weather bound for a week.

I am hoping to leave the Quays in Newry this week (6th to 11th September) but the weather forecast is not looking hopeful with two possible storms forecast. The boat is loaded, maybe overloaded but every time I look around I see something else I might need. I am trying to be as ruthless as possible, but moving into a small floating room is difficult with a lifetime of collecting stuff, so much of which is hard to do without even if I haven't used it in a decade; but now I keep saying 'anything else goes on, something has to come off' even so I have a feeling I could be leaving a trail of flotsam as I try to lighten poor Snow White once I do get out to sea.