Had to get up really early to check the winds had moved round to the west and the forecast was OK for us to set off to Ireland. Thankfully all was as forecast and we cast off at 0700 so that we would be off Sanda Island for 0900 as this would be when the tide turned and we would get the associated advantage. The decision as to whether we would go to Glenarm or Bangor would be made once we knew what the conditions were in the North Channel.

Sanda Island

The reality was that we had a really good trip and made good time down to Belfast Lough in F3/4 westerly winds with the sun shining – as Dell Boy would say….jubbly.

Upon arriving at the entrance to the Lough we decided against going to Bangor, but rather continue along the north bank of the Lough to Carrickfergus as this was a town we hadn’t visited before. The waters around the entrance to the marina and adjoining harbour would need consideration if you were sailing a deep draught boat in big seas/low spring tides.

The entrance to Carrickfergus has leading marks but they are a bit hard to see. However once spotted you simply follow these in and then turn sharplly to starboard to enter the marina. We had been told to take the hammerhead when we came into the marina so parking up the boat was pretty straightforward with the benefit of easy access to shoreside.

The town and area around the marina and Carrickfergus Castle

is relatively new and it all had a good feel to it, so we decided to stay another night. The marina gives your second night free of charge, so that was a wee bonus. Slight downside was that whilst the marina has a five anchor award and has a waste pump out station etc, it does not have any diesel facilities!

There is however diesel available in the harbour next to the marina, so it was about the shortest trip ever taken by Sun Dog. Out of the marina –into the adjoining harbour for diesel (expensive)– and then back into the marina that we had just left.