8 June - Foggy night sail to Bangor

After spending a lazy muggy day in Gigha, John did some calculations and we decided to use the tidal stream to help us sail (or motor ) towards Bangor. So at just after 18h we set off to our next destination. The sun shone for a little way so we could watch the birds keeping us company. There was even a breeze so our hopes were raised that maybe we could use the sails for once.....

We were doing well until the fog appeared. Quiet a weird sensation as you have no sense of reality. We couldn't see land at all, just the occasional seagull flying out of the fog and then disappearing again.

Of course, I had to use the Fog Horn, which according to maritime law, needs to be sounded every minute. Not sure if any of the ferries or cruise liners would have heard it but our main concern was the small yacht not fitted with the AIS system to detect other boats within a half mile radius. Totally essential when you can't see a blooming thing.

The fog continued through the night clearing in places so we were able to photo the East Maiden Lighthouse, just off Larne, at the approach to Northern Ireland.

John sailed us into Bangor Marina very quietly at 2.30am so he could get some well earned sleep and we could set off towards Holyhead early in the morning, again with the tide to help us.