Portpatrick - SCOTLAND !!!!

After a phone call to the Harbourmaster, 20 miles away, The bridge was raised and off I shot, at the crack of 6. Even though the open water crossing was 25 miles I could clearly see the Scottish Isles, Northern Ireland and The Isle of Man at the same time. Sailing up the coast of Galloway, I have started to realise just how remote some of these places are, when compered to the South coast. Portpatrick 'harbour' is the only place on a 40 mile coastline where  boats can take refuge in bad weather. I am pretty chuffed to have entered it at low water, through a gap in the rocks, 25 ft wide. I am also the only visiting boat here. Says it all, really. Here's a vid AND and a pic https://www.dropbox.com/s/upfwafcrbh95nr6/Video%2031-07-2013%2016%2037%2013.mov

Despite it drizzling this is a lovely little town ( och aye it is, the noo, by the way etc) and Im already ingraciated with the Landlord of The Crown. Just complimented him on serving the best plate of massive, fresh scallops wrapped in smoked bacon. So good, I nearly passed out with sheer joy. Bloody fantastic. Anyway, I kind of put that across to him and he seemed pleased. Told me about a traditional band on later. Only problem is that band includes a bagpipe player and I've never quite  'got' that, particular instrument. To be fair, it is an unusual sound. I may try and get a clip. Walked back to boat in pouring rain, to descend a vertical ladder, about 20 ft down. Trouble was that the tide had risen so all ropes were loose and boat was miles away from the wall. By the time Id worked out a cunning plan to board, I was bloody soaked. 

Before I forget, it all kicked off in Peel, last night. Massive fight near the beach. I watched the action via the safety net of a pair of binoculars. Lots of scouse female shrieking and swearing interspersed with the occasional 'it im Gary' Went in for ages. Oh, also when the motorbike bloke and his wife left, my 'new' chums (the next unlucky sods to sit next to me) were a couple from Sunderland. By that time I wanted to chat about football and launched into expressing my deep regret at not visiting St James Park when Portsmouth were in the Premiership. As the words left my lips I sensed I'd 'dropped a clanger'. Great comeback from the bloke - as he and his wife left he smiled and gently said ' don't worry about Pompey. They will be back and, one day, could even be as good as Southampton'. 

Looking forward to tomorrow as, en route to Troon, Im going to visit my first, proper, uninhibited Scottish island. It's called Ailsa Graig. I'll take some pictures. Right, time for a doze then up the ladder for the bagpipes.