Leg 26

Stonefield Castle Bay Hotel, Loch Fyne to Lamlash, Arran. Weds 11th August
After the final beach foraging for winkles by Ivan, it was time to head South. We had decided not to 'do' the Crinan Canal afterall. So we headed towards the East side of Arran. It was a bit windy, but we were ready to move on. A nice motor sail across the North edge of Arran, although the sea was a bit lumpy! Then the wind started to get up, so although we didn't need the engine, we perhaps could have done with a reef or two in the sail! Still, Ivan was loving it! We had taken the foresail down earlier, when the wind died a bit, but it wasn't long before the gusts of upto 32mph were scooting us along at 7knots with just the mainsail. I was below checking the course for most of this time, of course!! This bit did live up to the description that sailing on the west coast can be 'boisterous'!
With making such good time we were safely moored up by 2.00pm in Lamlash! It was still blowing a hooley, but we went across to the village and stocked up in the local co-op. We were both desperate for a shower, but just our luck that the showers, available at a local cafe, closed just one day a week - on Wednesdays!!

Scallop (Pecten maximus) Curry

(serving suggestion)

Scallop Curry - Criminal Act or Twisted Genius?

Further to the previous piece on curry houses I have for your perusal decided to include my recipe for scallop curry. This NFN traditional dish has been handed down through my family and indeed can be traced back to the early 16th century.

Ingredients:
1 onion
1 tin chopped tomatos
1 tin button mushrooms
3 heaped teaspoons Pataks madras paste
15-20 scallops

Method;
1. Chop onion, and soften in olive oil (extra virgin) over a low heat.
2. Add tin chopped tomatos
3. Add Pataks paste, to taste.
4.Add mushrooms
5. Add scallops
6. Simmer gently for 20 mins
7. Serve (please see picture for serving suggestion)

So there we have it!
Scallop Curry. Voila

The recipe is especially good for those strange folks who are none too keen on this particularly tasty mollusc as the meat becomes rather like very tender chicken. Alternatively, buy some chicken!

Dive Loch Fyne

Mon 9th August
So the day dawned clear n sunny. It was time to get wet!!
We donned our dive gear and happily stepped off the stern into the bay.......in search of lunch! 30 mins later we were back with a bag full of lunch in the form of some decent sized scallops! Yummy.
Well they didn't last long, and 3 hours later we were back in, this time in search of supper!!
And we were not disappointed! Absolutely brilliant to get in for a dive, and free lunch and tea a bonus.
Happy Daze!

Leg 25

Campbeltown to Tarbert, Loch Fyne. Sun 8th August
A lazy start to the day, waiting for a boat alongside to leave, and for the shop to open so we could get a big pan for anticipated crab and lobster catches!! Motor sail up the loch, in beautiful weather, with stunning scenery all around. This is just what we have been waiting for the whole trip really. We head for an anchorage just past Tarbert, near an ,island. we had dived earlier in the year. In the end we go around the back, and find that the hotel has put visitor moorings in. Very handy, so we tie up, get changed then head up for a beer - or two, with malt whisky chasers of course! A pleasant end to a lovely relaxed day sailing.

Curry House Facts

A tragic curry house incident in Peel (Isle of Man) set me to thinking the other day as to the facts and figures connected with my curry/life interface. Here for your consideration are those thoughts.
I believe I'm true in my recollection that the first curry house curry I indulged in was at the tender age of 17 years. Prior to that my only curry experience would have been my fathers national service curry's which consisted of 1 x tin curry powder, 4lb of raisins re-hydrated to the size of olives. Now if you're not keen on raisins this can be a problem! (sorry Dad).
Never the less, raisin poisoning to one side, first curry at 17. Since that time I have had a curry every week and it was not uncommon in my younger 'round town' years to have two a week. Now at the age of 47 that gives me 30 years at, shall we say, 50 curry's a year, a quick bit of maths gives a grand total of 1,500 curry hits. Now in all those 1,500 curry's I have only had to send one back. That was a week ago in Peel, Isle of Man. I unfortunately can't remember the name of the particular establishment but it's the only one in Peel - be warned. After a particularly tasteless Shikh Kebab starter the main course of chicken tikka balti and keema nan was disgusting. It tasted of gravy powder, grease and salt (the last ingredient being the mainstay of gravy powder). The owner disagreed with the excessive salt content but didn't contend the gravy powder comment.
We, last night in Campbeltown, had the best curry of the 1,500. Pure perfection. No other comment needed! The name
of this curry house is the Taj Mahal. OK, not the most original name but the food was unbeatable.
The strange thing is that out of 1,500 curry's the worst and the best should come together like that. This really is turning out to be the adventure of a lifetime!

Leg 24

Portpatrick to Campbeltown. Friday 6th August
The weather is good so we are off to Campbeltown today! We had thought of going to Islay, but it was a 60mile jaunt, and when we re-though things out we decided we would head up towards Tarbert and check out some scallop spots we went to earlier in the year on a dive trip! Its time we got in the water! There was a bit of a sea running, but the swell is northerly, and the wind is in our favour for once. The tide is with us, and we fly along at a good 6kn for most the way. We do motor sail though, as the wind eases off, but at least we are making good time. Its a bit misty but Ailsa Craig makes an appearance eventually! Then we can see the Mull of Kintyre (altogether now..... Mull of Kintyre.....!!). Ailsa Craig is one of the largest gannet homes in this part of the world, and we are rewarded with flocks of them flying past - very big, majestic birds making travelling fast seem effortless. We madde good time to Campbeltown and were moored up by about 3.30pm. Coming alongside a pontoon is getting easier with practice, which was just as well, as there was quite an audience this time!! Not a time to mess up!! We had heard good things about one of the local curry houses, and seeing as its Friday, we soon head off for an early tea to see what all the fuss is about! We were not disappointed! Absolutely brilliant. I would recommend the Taj Mahal to everyone. A1, first class food. What a contrast to Peel!

Portpatrick

We did a few walks in and around the area. The coastline was beautiful, and on one saunter we went along to Dunskey Castle which sits overlooking the channel, where the next stop is Donaghadee, Ireland.

Leg 23

Peel to Portpatrick. Tuesday 3rd August
We had a lovely calm night and anchor and were quite ready to continue haeding North. We had a bit of a lie in though, as we were planning to make the most of the tide to the Mull of Galloway. It was a grey day, but we could at least see the piece of land we were heading for, rather than just following a compass bearing. Once away from the harbour, and got the sails up, we even managed to turn the engine off!! Peaceful start to the day, but alas after an hour or so, the wind dropped and we were crawling along, so the engine was employed again, and then just to add to our frustration, the wind changed direction too so the sails had to come down!! As we approach the Mull, we pass over the bottom end of a very deep trench and the sounder measures 206 metres!! Wow! We scoot along the coast and into Portpatrick for tea time. The harbour is tiny! We settle on the North wall, and thankfully its very calm. The local pub sells a good beer, and fine food, so we make the most of both!

Isle of Man

In need of........

Peel. Sat 31st July to Mon 2nd August
We wanted a couple of days here, and couldn't have picked a better weekend. It was an Historic Boat Weekend, so the harbour was full (so we stayed in the bay) of lovely old boats, that went out for a short sail round the bay each afternoon! On shore, a few events were on. a competition to see who could throw a heaving line accurately (men) or furthest (women). We entered and both came third respectively - tho not without alot of go's!! A competition to build and paddle a boat across the harbour entrance was fun to watch - and they all made it in their own style!
After such a good curry on Monday, we headed for the only curry house in Peel in the evening, hoping for more good food. Boy were we disappointed. More of that later, but it was not good!
Sunday was carnival day. After smoked bacon sandwiches for breakfast (Peel smokery) a saunter round we watched the parade with a beer or two to help the viewing! A relaxed afternoon on board watching the old boats sail round the bay, then a wonderful fireworks display to end the day. We couldn't have picked a better weekend to fetch up in Peel!!!
Monday was a bus ride to Douglas, a ride on a horse drawn tram and food shopping - treats from M&S food hall!!

While we were in the harbour there were basking sharks everywhere it seemed. At one point there were about 6 just a few hundred yards away! Isle of Man is an international hotspot apparently!

Leg 22

Holyhead to Peel, Isle of Man. Friday 30th July
We had a day or so to chill in Holyhead, catch up with my parents, take on diesel etc. we decide to make the hop across to Isle of Man rather than go around the corner onto the North Wales coast, or along up the NW England coast. We feel as if Scotland in 'calling' and can't wait to get there!! So it was an early start. A dull grey day though. We manage a motor sail to start, and go well so turn engine off and manage a few hours of peace under sail alone - absolutely lovely! We know the Isle of MAn is ahead of us, but we can't see it due to the low cloud. Very frustrating as the approach from the SW is supposed to be quite spectacular with high cliffs etc! Well we do see it eventually when we are almost upon it, and then try our hardest not to get too close!! Just as we approach Peel we see a big basking shark - the 2nd one of the trip. We are too late to get into the harbour, so moor on one of the visitors berths. Its a very pretty town setting, with the castle, breakwater etc giving us good shelter. Look forward to getting ashore.

Leg 21

Pwllhelli to Holyhead. Weds 28th July
We had a day or so in the marina, then onto an anchorage outside in the bay so we could get an early start. So we headed off in the early light to get around to Holyhead. A good start under sail, with a squall to help us on our way towards Bardsey Island. But the wind soon dies, and we motor sail through Bardsey Channel. Its confused seas due to overfalls and tide, but once through it settles and its a straight line to Holyhead. The tide turns against us as we approach though, and its a painfully slow last 2 hours as we approach the harbour. We decide to anchor as the mooring buoys all look full, and close together. My parents are on shore to meet us, but its late so we make plans to meet up in the morning. We are bushed, so hit the sack pretty quickly and get a good nights sleep.

Leg 20

Fishguard to Pwlhelli Mon 26th July
We were up early and away by dawn, so nothing to report about Fishguard I'm afraid!
We headed due North, motor sailing, and were just getting settled to our watch routine of one hour on and one hour off, when we were approached by a big RIB. We were about to enter a live firing zone, and we had approx 30 mins to change course and get 10 miles away!! This was not good news, as it was a long leg and the last thing we needed was extra distance! Still, no choice, so we headed towards shore, and did probably an extra 2 hours of travel. It was an uneventful leg, as there was no wildlife to keep us interested, and although we knew the Snowdonia mountains were overlooking us, it was very low cloud so didn't see any of them!
We arrived at the marina entrance in good time, and made our approach to the marina to discover the entrance is VERY narrow. Fine, except that the tide is racing in at about 5 or 6 knots, so steerage is a joke! Bit like a water flume at the fun fair in a 22 ton log!! We were jealous of Anne and Rob going for a curry in Scarborough on Sunday, so as soon as we were moored up and showered we headed into town for a curry!!! And a fine one it was too!

Leg 19

Dale Bay to Fishguard Sun 25th July
We planned to go at 3.00am to get the tide right around the Pembroke coast, but we awoke to fog and absolutely no wind......so went straight back to sleep!! When we did wake, it was a beautiful sunny day, with a light breeze. So we decided to try this leg on the afternoon tide. We got a bit of maintenance on the steering done in the morning then set off mid afternoon and had a good start under sail. we picked up the tide off Skomer island, and really started to fly by the time we came to the Bishops Rocks lighthouse. We went through the inside passage at 11.2k - sideways!!! At that speed, it was thankfully over pretty quickly!!! The coast is beautiful - if you ever get the chance to go to the area you must get out on a boat and see the cliffs from the sea! We got into Fishguard at dusk, anchored up and hit the sack - a long but lovely day, and in the end we were glad it was foggy!

Leg 18

Padstow to Milford Haven. Friday 23rd July
We had an early start out of Padstow - this was to be our longest leg so far, and to be quite a way off shore too. We motored to start, and it seemed to take forever to get away from the Cornish coast! - although the coast along here was beautiful, with impressive cliffs. Once out of sight of Cornwall we spotted Lundy Island off the starboard beam, and no sooner did that fade, the Welsh coast appeared ahead! So we didn't really feel like we were all that much away from land!! We had dolphins with us for a good while again. This time we seemed to be in the middle of a a few different groups that just seemed to surround us over and over! We got into Milford Haven estuary at dusk, and by dark had anchored in the bay near Dale. Very peaceful after a very long day.

Padstow and beyond........

Accurate navigation is everything in this game..........




Happy Daze in an idyllic harbour.

Leg 17

Penzance to Padstow. Weds 21st July

We had a really early start, 4.00am, to make the most of the tide around Lands End. The sun was rising just as we went around the tip, and started to head North - Happy Daze!! We are at last on the great north run! The sea was a bit choppy with a lazy swell pushing us along. As we came to Cape Cornwall, just north of Longships, we came across a basking shark - unbelievable! Just the one, but was pretty huge. We got a good view, but as always when we took a picture you can't really even see it! The winds were Southerly, so for once not on the nose, but quite slight so we did get the sail up, but kept the engine on. With the tide behind us though, we kept a good average speed of 5-6kn, and got to Padstow about 3.30pm. Pretty exhausted though. Padstow is about a mile up the Camel river, with lots of sandy beaches on its banks, and just a narrow channel up to the harbour. The inner harbour has a barrier that is open for just 3 hours ish each high water. We thought we had just missed getting into the harbour, but we made it! Very pretty and quite cosmopolitan. Probably the 'poshest' place we have been so far.
We celebrate rounding the corner with a shower and a few well earned beers!! Then its down to planning the next leg, which will be a long one again, jumping across to South Wales.

Basking Sharks

Basking Shark off Lands End......spot it if you can ...... Gary, please point it out to the simpletons if you can please buddy, thanks. A and I

Corned Beef - a decisive weapon ?

In the UK corned beef refers to the tinned (canned) variety, which is made from finely minced corned beef in a small amount of gelatine (bully beef from the French word bouille or 'boiled'). Sold in distinctive oblong shaped cans or in slices from most good supermarkets.
It is mainly imported from Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay - but if given a choice my preferred purchase is the Argentinian variety (stop harking on about the Falklands Pablo!).
Bully beef and biscuits were the main field rations of the British Army from the Boer War to World War II. Corned beef is commonly served in a sandwich or as hash (mash - Normal for Norfolk NFN) where small cubes are added to mash potato.

My point is, without the humble corned beef, the population of the UK may well have now been speaking German.
Heil meat products!!

Leg 16

Falmouth to Penzance (ooo aargh) Sun 18th July
We didn't need to be away too early, so had a bit of a Sunday lie in. We don't need to get to the Lizard point too early or we would be fighting tide. It was a bit of a grey day though, so as we crossed towards the Manacles, we didn't see much of the coast. The Helford River is supposed to be very pretty but we were a bit too far off to really see!
As we cam around the Manacles we got our first proper wildlife viewing - 2 wopping great Minke whales - amazing. We were really chuffed!
So headed on to the Lizard. For me, this and Lands End are the worrisome bits of this part of the journey. As we got closer to the Lizard the sea did start getting bigger, so I kept well off shore, as the almanac suggests! The anchor on the bow gets a good few dips in the sea, and at one point I look up to see a small wave making its way along the deck, over the hatch to the life raft!! Ivan at this point is below having a snooze. When he re-appears he says 'what are we doing so far off shore?' !!! No way was I going closer, with big waves breaking between us and the Point. When we did alter course to head for Penzance (ooo aargh) the wind was at last with us, and we got to sail it the rest the way - fab.
As we were going across the bay, we were joined by a pod of dolphin - what a wonderful wildlife day we were having. They stayed with us for about an hour and half. Swimming around, under and of course at the bow of the boat. Ivan got some good photos and video. Brilliant.
We got to Penzance (ooo aargh) at tea time but had to wait on swinging mooring outside the wet dock til we could get in at high water. This gave us time to properly sit down and work out the tides and tidal stream for getting around Lands End (nothing like planning ahead huh!). Unfortunately it means a stupid o'clock early start, but can't be helped. Think we will have an extra day in Penzance (ooo aargh) to do pirate (ooo aargh) type things and leave early Tuesday when its slightly less stupid o'clock!!
Well the wildlife made the day for us, when it looked to be just a grey Sunday motoring along!