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Friday 21^st August.  Bangor NI to Portaferry, Strangford Loch, NI

Left 0700 on the strength of a Met Office forecast that claimed “4-5”.  We got “5-6” with a rough ‘wind over tide’ sea thrown in.

Initially OK.  Sailed through Donaghadee Sound, except for a short burst of engine to avoid a tidal set onto Deputy Reefs

Sail as far as Skullmartin.  Close hauled and reefed in 20 knots of SSW

Motor-sail then to inshore of South Rock and on to Strangford entrance

Rough again.  Mutiny, mutterings and unhappiness from crew

Jan and Oscar are getting rather fed up of these “exhilarating” days.  I don’t blame them

Swept through Strangford Narrows at the top of a spring tide at roughly 8 knots.  Avoided a HUGE erection (not something I have personal experience of) in the middle of the Narrows.  It generates elastictrickery for 1000 local homes apparently