Bangor to Campbeltown

There was a nice weather window but that did not sit kindly with the best tide times for a trip to Campbeltown. Such is life.

So, we got up around 3:45am and after a reviving mug of tea headed out to sea. The FLIR was busy spotting marker buoys off Bangor. Spotting the many anchored ships was easier:

They have some chunky generators it seems.

There was a beautiful sunrise to enjoy (well, the captain did, the crew was snoozing):

although the old maxim of "red sky in the morning, sailors take warning" applies. Well, it does for tomorrow when the forecast is for more windy stuff coming through:

Luckily our trip was planned to take around 8 hours and we would be somewhere sheltered before the gales kick off again.

Another simple enough route to follow with few waypoints needed or things to dodge bar pot markers and other shipping:

As the wind was sort of from the NW, it was bumpiest in the middle of the north channel where there was no shelter from the land. Also because it was wind over tide - we left to take advantage of the north going tide and tried to time is so we would also pick up a fair tide once close to the Mull of Kintyre /  Sanda island and carry that up to Campbeltown.

The crew had called Callum, the most helpful and friendly moorings man there and was assured there would be some space for us. In fact we saw some of the exodus of boats from the loch as we approached.

Island Davaar is the iconic entrance to the loch and has a cute lighthouse on it that we have pictured once before. No matter, here it is again in perfect conditions. Calm and sunny:

and it all looked very freshly painted too.

We were very lucky with our timing when we arrived. The orientation of the harbour in Campbeltown means that the end of the pontoon area and the anchorage is very exposed to easterly winds. The forecast had SE'ly gales in it. The long pontoon area was pretty empty so we could head further down to get some shelter from the harbour wall when berthing - here is the view from the aft cockpit:

We ended up reassuringly opposite the lifeboat too:

As always, Callum and his helper came to take the lines - not needed but a nice touch. We learned about the out of commission moorings in the harbour (the sailing club didn't arrange to service them this year) and some more of the other local fun and politics.

Since we fully expect to be trapped on board tomorrow, we wandered to Tesco for provisions and the captain sat outside on a little bench waiting for the re-emergence of the crew. A Tesco worker plonked himself on the other end of the bench - well under 1 metre away, told the captain that he was "not going into the store until he had to start his shift as he wasn't giving Tesco any of his xxxxx time" and proceeded to light up a cigarette. Looks like Campbeltown is ready to join Neyland as the next Covid outbreak place.

Maintenance news: - none, sorry. We know how you love and must miss the stories of oily bits and socket sets. The wing engine had a run as we approached Campbeltown and the stuffing box was dripping nicely so no more tinkering needed there for a while, we hope.