A Scotsman, an Englishman and an Irishman : Day 7

On the evening of day 6 we had to make our decision to cross the Irish Sea to Scotland or go for cover in Bangor.

We had a fantastic evening meal cooked by Paul in very difficult rolling sea conditions. A yacht cooker is only 2 rings and a small oven on a gimble that moves around a lot in a big sea, so not easy to produce his great food. So bolstered by our hot food and having had an updated weather forecast, that said the wind would drop and sea conditions calm a bit by 11pm, we decided to turn East for Largs.

The crossing to Stranraer was approx 21 miles and should have taken about 3.5 to 4 hours. But the wind and tide were so good we did it in just over 3. Visibility was very good, we could see the Irish lighthouses from the Scottish coast.

At about 1 am off the Stranraer Harbour entrance we were playing tag simultaneously with 4 fishing boats and 2 ferries that couldn’t make up their mind what direction they were going in. Including a full 360 degree turn by a Stena ferry behind us.

By 2.30 am we were along side the Ailsa Craig that even in the darkness looks very dramatic. The photo below gives an idea of how unusual this island is, in the middle of nowhere. By 6am, the South of Arran popped into view and then into Largs at almost 9am on the dot. So 48 hours exactly for 288 miles,that averages 6 nautical miles per hour, that is really flying for such a long trip.