Our next port of call was Ardglass which is located just south of Strangford Lough and we had to get the tides right for going through Donaghadee Channel as this has a bit of a reputation for strong currents. So it was an early start at 0545 with the intention of being at the narrow channel at 0730 just at the turn of the tide. All of which worked out according to plan.

We had a good trip in ever improving conditions and I was really looking forward to sailing past South Rock Lightship the last remaining Lightship in Ireland, only to be disappointed when we approached its position, to find that it had been replaced by a marker buoy, not quite the same! When we altered course at this point our course had us in a sloppy beam sea which was not really a lot of fun.

Our approach into Ardglass meant we would have the seas behind us, pushing us into the harbour which in the pilot book looks tight, but in truth it is straightforward and a really interesting and I would say, quite unique harbour. There is still the commercial fishing docks with the marina further in the harbour past the second breakwater. We parked the boat up and went for a wander around the town which is delightful.

A couple of local guys asked where we were heading next and when I said probably Carlingford Lough Marina, their advice was to head further up the Lough to Warrenpoint which is apparently a mussel fishing harbour. The authorities have provided a visitors berth, so this might indeed be an option – who knows. As I type this entry Sara is busy cooking a meal and it smells delicious so I’d better shut this computer down and go do it justice.