Sailing adventures on a Hallberg Rassy 40 in higher latitudes
Sailing to Derry in Northern Ireland needed some careful planning. Swells and currents made it treacherous, but the Causeway coast’s cliffs were breathtaking. Mooring was a nightmare, akin to a Barentsburg night. Despite closed galleries, Derry’s history, food, and street art made it very memorable.
Ballycastle is clearly a popular Summer tourist destination and as soon as we arrived here, we got the Spring feeling.
Coming into the harbour can be a little dramatic as the Atlantic swells easily get quite big. To get into the harbour you have to do a sharp turn around the break water, but as soon as you have turned the corner, the inner harbour is nice and calm.
In Belfast, we enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere and great restaurants. We continued to Glenarm, a small village with lots of historic points. We took a trip to the neighbouring marina where a scene from Game of Thrones had been filmed. the the wind was right to continue to Ballycastle and sailing around the dramatic cliffs Fair Head into its well-protected harbour.
Planning an Arctic expedition demands meticulous preparation. Navigating remote areas requires a self-sufficient crew, capable of boat repairs. Polar bear encounters necessitate firearm training and permits. Extensive paperwork, including sailing, rifle, and landing permits, along with insurance, must be sorted well in advance. Despite challenges, the Arctic offers breathtaking landscapes, wildlife, and continuous summer sunlight. Access planning resources at the provided link.
Spending a few days in the lovely Belfast, we have been visiting art galleries and have had some very good food and entertainment, but also visited the Titanic museum, which was a touching experience. Belfast is a great mix of new quarters, traditional bars and lots of street art.
After returning from London, our plan for a smooth transition to Ireland faced unexpected delays due to persistent winds in Greenock. When the weather finally cooperated, we set sail, rediscovering the joys and challenges of life on the water. Anchoring near Belfast channel entrance before navigating the shipping channel to our marina in the vibrant Titanic Quarter.
Returning to James Watts marina ahead of a storm, the sailors secured their boat with help from neighbors. Amid rising tides and wind, they replaced a failed port light, struggled with a broken washer, and had travel plans to Glasgow disrupted by the weather. In London, they dined in Battersea, visited the American Embassy and art galleries, and enjoyed a sci-fi play in Soho before enduring a delayed train ride back to Glasgow.
Useful resources and information for planning to sail the Viking Route across the North Atlantic.
13th-19th January 2024 After leaving James Watt marina we headed for Loch Goil and went castle hunting. This is quite easy in Scotland as they are everywhere! The reason for the castle hunting was that …
January 7th-12th 2024 On a sunny Sunday morning we finally Cast off the lines! It felt surreal and very unbelievable that we were finally leaving Portavadie harbour. We also learned that Danes and Brits have …