Its now 8pm and here we are …. still in Glenarm!
We made the decision this morning not to move forward as there was a strong wind warning this morning which was supposedly easing later (it didnt!)- and again, this would mean if we set off when the wind dropped, having to beat as we went, that we would miss our “window” and strong tide would be against us!
This place we had discounted as a lunch stop on our car journey on Saturday has turned out to be our home for 2 nights! However, it is a lovely spot with a great marina (Rick has given the showers an 8 out of 10) and we are all very impressed! It really should be a regular stop for the RBE trips in future!
Just another mention about the harbour master whom I mentioned yesterday – his name is Billy and he is ace!
Billy the harbour master!
Why is he ace? Well, he took Chris and John shopping yesterday, everytime he sees a boat approaching, he is there to take a line, he chased after me when he saw me emerging with wet hair from the showers to let me know there was a hair dryer, but his sense of humour, well Billy, you told me you don’t write your own jokes……
We are getting a little confused on this trip since Rick arrived some everyone seems to have a bit of trouble remembering everyones names, Rick is either Rick, Nick or Rich, I’ve become Sue, Chris is Kath, Mike is Bill and John is Rev!
Glenarm Marina is lovely, made all the more special by Billy and his wonderful zest for life and people! Please stop by here if you are travelling nearby!
We didnt waste the day waiting for fairer weather, we continued our studies,
Students at work!
and Rick, once exhausted by the endless questions from his students, commenced installing the autohelm.
Rick installing the auto helm
Tired of studying, John and I went to catch up on some shopping, then found a nice little coffee shop for a tea and scones (the first time I have had afternoon tea with a vicar!), told Chris about the place, she headed there, got caught a rainstorm on the way to find it had closed early on a Wednesday!
In fact, Chris and Pete seemed to have a real skill for catching the rainstorms today. Each time they headed out, as the sun seemed to be keen to peek through, they got soaked. At one point, they went out for a stroll, and as we only have one key fob between 6 of us – we told them to shout to us from the quayside to be let in.
They headed out for their stroll as I was busy in the engine room with three men…… Rick talked Mike, John and I through engine checks! We were busy with the engine hatch open and our heads well immersed among impellers, alternators, belts and water filters, and didnt hear the shouts from our missing pair from the quayside. It was only 3 hours later that I listened to the voicemail “Jill, can you please let us in, we are standing outside in the pouring rain…..” Oh dear! Sorry!
I knew exactly how they felt. Last night we were in the pub (as I have mentioned….time and time again…) and I stayed there once the others left to finish off posting yesterdays blog. The others went straight back to the boat, but promised to latch the gate as they had the only key fob. There I was at 11.15, in the pouring rain, dark and alone and was locked out.
I walked along the quayside, stood opposite RBE and tried to work out how loud to shout for someone to let me in. Being Welsh, and spending many years in choirs, I know how to project my voice. However, I didn’t want to wake everyone up, but neither did I want to spend any more time than I needed in the dark and the rain. So, I stood there working out how to shout for help. I let out one shout of “Rick” (as I knew John would never wake!) and discovered that my gentle shout projected far too well and resonated right across the marina. Expecting numerous heads to pop out of the cockpits, I was mightily relieved that Rick’s did, and he was the only one – thanks Rick! (or is it Nick?!)
John cooked a fabulous Chicken hot pot which kept everyone quiet for a while – a double accomplishment! He is another chef in the making. Two men on board who stated that it would be a big challenge to cook for four people are turning into budding Egon Ronay’s!
Chef extrodinarire!
Loving your pinny John!
Here we are after dinner listening to the weather forecast on the VHF – there is an area of low pressure with rain and high winds right across the UK…..oh fantastic, so glad everyone is suffering too! As we sit here we can hear it whistling through the mast and blowing a hoolie! Not sure I like the sound of the word “cyclonic”!! However, the wind will be behind us so it might be possible! We hope to go to Port Ellen on Islay tomorrow – wish us luck!.
We got the pub at 9pm, got absolutely soaked on the way, it really knows how to rain in Ireland. We were greeted by a most peculiar sight outside the pub of a couple who are getting married in 2 weeks time.
Tradition in this area, as this particular couple are experiencing tonight, is to be placed on the back of a trailer, secured to a bench with cable ties, painted with sheep marking, covered in rotting manure, bad eggs, flour, 2 week old cut hay whilst holding a lamb which was stillborn in April whilst the rain beats heavily down on them – looks great fun! This is the groom AND the bride! Why didnt I have my camera with me! Im sure I couldn’t have captured the true essence of their fun tonight though!
Yet again we are supporting the local economy. We are in a pub owned by Stevie – I met his brother yesterday, he is a local diver who does his work under the hulls of boats in the marina, he has a long beard which he wears in two plaits…….anyway, he recommended we came into his brothers pub, and, true to his word, it serves good beer, free wifi and has an open fire in the grate which is reputed to be welcomed by the visiting “yachtees” (sic) I never thought of myself as a yachtee!
Guinness consumed, local economy bolstered once more by the crew and skipper of the RBE, we tried (unsuccessfully), to dodge the rain storms, and make haste to the boat. On the way back, I saw Richard. Billy had told me about him – he is the local lobster farmer. Typical – I’ve come out without my camera, and I see lots of interesting things!
I hurried to RBE to grab it and photograph Richard and his catch!
Richard sorts his catch!
This one is a biggie!
and learnt something about catching lobster, thanks Richard! Did you know that the females are called “hens” and you can tell the difference between them and their male counterparts as their tails are wider, and you can also see eggs on their underside! Richard keeps the hens apart from the…the….the…(I assume the males are called cocks but I never asked), and they get sent to another guy whose job it is to cut a V Notch into the tail – from this he gets a fee from the government, and Richard gets to put her back into the water to ensure the future catch! Every day is a school day!
I walk back to the boat and Chris and Pete are heading out to the toilet facilities….just in time for another downpour!
Its amazing, even on the days we don’t travel anywhere on the boat, there is still loads to talk about on this Round Britain Experience – I’ve managed to write 1400 words about today!
Now back on the boat, its 11.45 and I’m ready to stop blogging and go to sleep to face the elements once more tomorrow! Goodnight!
