Good Morning from Port Ellen.
I have made the passage from Bangor to Port Ellen on the Argyll coast of Scotland.
I had planned the trip down to the last detail as I had had an extra day in Bangor due to the bad weather, the weather had been given for a 4-5 from the north east with slight seas so this should make for some great sailing… well I thought so!
As I left the harbour I could see that the wind was blowing well but the sea state was becoming a little lively. I had taken the decision that I would need a reef in the main but as I made way I decided that a second reef was in order to keep the boat well balanced but still powered up.
As I rounded the headland and made the turn towards Scotland the wind increased and the sea state was building making for a very uncomfortable ride as I was beating into the wind. We had taken a knock on the speed as I had had to reef and now having to tack my way up to the coast and making the crossing to Scotland.
My destination of Port Ellen came into view at about half past 10 and then as I got closer I could make the lights out on the shore but I knew it was still a way off. As the weather had been rough on the trip over I hadn’t managed to leave the deck all day, but as we got into the lee of the land I was able to dive below and make sure I had the right passage into the harbour and any navigational hazards I was to be aware of.
I made my way along the passage that is well marked and light and thankful it is as there are a lot of rocks that surround the approach to the harbour. As I was coming in I could see a very large structure that was lit up like a Christmas tree and I couldn’t make out what it was until I had moved in further, it turned out to be a super-yacht anchored up in the depths. I arrived into the berth a little after 1am and had to stretch my legs with a short stroll.
My next planned trip is to the island of cool about 84 miles north from where I am now, they have a small anchorage and visitor bouys but they are exposed to the south.
I have been watching the weather very closely and for the next 3 days they are giving the wind veering to the south and building to gales coming in from the Atlantic so I am hoping that the forecast changes because I need a clear window of three to four days so that I can get up to Stornoway in safety.
I will keep you all informed of the plans and when we get the weather window.
When I arrived here the following morning the Facebook page was going crazy and I had no idea why? The guys at Whitehaven had managed to get the results from the racing into the local paper and a very nice piece on what the trip is for and the donation information. I have to say a huge thank you to the guys there for doing this for me.
Please do get behind me and donate as much as you can to this very good cause and the trip, you can donate on the My Donate page or you can text btos31 to 70070 with the amount £2,5,10.
Until next time
Alex