Didn’t we have a lovely time the day we went to Bangor

September 2021. We had arranged to pick Richie up in Stranraer so set off from Port Ellen, Islay, at sunrise with a quick stop for a photo opportunity outside the Lagavulin distillery. See Whisky Galore.

The irish sea is an amazing place to sail around. It is busy, challenging, full of life and it is bordered by 5 countries, Eire, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England. Right in the middle is the Isle of Man from which any of the 5 countries is less than a day sail. You could spend a lifetime sailing these waters but the clock is ticking, we only have a week off work. So we sailed to Stranraer with a good wind, again past the “Mull of Kintyre, Oh mist rolling in from the sea, my desire…” and Richie meets us in Stranraer marina at 9pm.

Stranraer is at the end of Loch Ryan, a 10 mile long inlet that is the home to many giant Irish sea ferries. As we were leaving the next morning two of these monsters arrived. “Sailing vessel Mir this is giant ferry 1, please pass green to green” So we changed from red to red, half a mile from and across the bow of the first ferry. It was a little disconcerting to see the bow wave of such a monster so close. Before the first ferry had even passed us. “Sailing vessel Mir this is giant ferry 2, please pass red to red” so we had to scooch across the bow of the second ferry. We weaved our way out of Loch Ryan. The guys on the ferries were really friendly on the radio, they even came out to give us a wave. It reminded me that there is only one rule of the sea. “If it’s bigger than you get out of their way.”

The weather was gorgeous and there was a good wind so we were sailing well. We turned left at the end of Loch Ryan and headed for Bangor, Northern Ireland. Within half an hour I caught my first fish, one mackerel, which we cooked on the barbeque and split into three. The nicest fish we have ever eaten.

Halfway to Bangor we started getting followed by a massive yellow fin tuna. It swam behind the boat for at least one hour, an amazing creature. I got a tiny shot of it underwater but I was scared by Mandy and Richie saying it was a shark and it could take my hand off. Why was it following us?

We arrived in Bangor around 6pm. It was a warm and sunny evening. Bangor was magical. You must visit.

We walked along the seafront to the Jamaica Inn and had a splendid meal which was finished off by the best sunset we have seen so far. (And we have seen a few since we got the boat)

The next day, time to go home. So we head off for an overnighter to Porthdinllaen to take Richie to the Ty Coch pub. We had a lovely overnight sail but when we arrived at Porthdinllaen the pub was closed because some staff caught covid. We stayed the night and the following day had a great sail back to Pwllhelli blasting through Bardsey sound. Got home to Pwllhelli and had a lovely meal from the Spanish takeaway, paella and fish tacos, to finish off a most memorable trip to Scotland and Northern Ireland.