LOUGH SWILLY TO PORTRUSH

FROM LOUGH SWILLY TO PORT RUSH

16^th June

today Carol and I were able to take it easy. With just a couple of jobs to do. Fill with water, and empty dinghy of rain water- I emptied about 5 gallons out of it.

We then went to the local nice restaurant the Red Door, and had coffee, and was able to log on to wifi.

It had finally stopped raining, so we took down tent, we had a really nice walk. The Area is beautiful. We waited for the girls to arrive, they had caught a taxi from Derry, they arrived just before 6 o’clock.

We had a really nice dinner waiting of salmon and raspberries.

We did the homework for the trip to Portrush tomorrow before we went to bed

17^th June

Today we didn't have to leave very early, so had a nice breakfast, sandwiches were made and the meal for this evening already cooked. So ready to go

Left Marina at 11.15am, and made out way gingerly out. It is very shallow here near Fahan Marina, but he local yacht club have buoyed the channel so that helped. We were 3 hrs before high water, as we had to leave Lough Swilley at high tide to get the Sweep Round Malin Head.

We had a good trip round, and touched over 8 knots, but we were head to wind and wind over tide AGAIN.

We got to Portrush at 7oclock, and tied up to the pontoon in the harbour, next to the Lifeboat, and Yacht Club.

We all went to the Yacht Club and met up with the Launch Operations Manager of the Lifeboat.

We then had dinner, and did the homework for tomorrow, when we hope to be going to Glenarm Marina.

We have to get past Raithlin Island, and the Sound looks quite tricky, so we are making sure we get there at slack water, with the tide pushing us round.