Summertime Blues

[centaursailor]

Had hoped to be too busy cruising to be posting this month, should have guessed it would all go arseways when I was actually ready on time.
Washout weather over here in the Emerald Isle has restricted mi to a long week end in the Isle of Mann and a couple of day sails during my three week vacation.
Think I,d settle for just 20 shades of green at this point.
Hopefully the second half of the summer will be a bit less wet and windy.
Back to work Monday and guess what the forecast promices.
Safe sailing

[CalebD]

I heard from a mate in Edinburgh that there had been some unusually cool and wet weather across the pond lately, more like late autumn then summer. Sorry the bad weather coincided with your cruising plans.
Perhaps a few 'offerings' to the weather gods are in order?

[centaursailor]

Thanks CD, I,v spilled as more Guinness into the scuppers than usual while waiting for the warm dry wind to appear, will that count.
Safe sailing

[WanderingStar]

Sorry to hear it.
Been there. (bad weather, not Ireland)

[Faster]

We've had similarly unseasonal weather so far too... so you're not alone. We saw our kids off on their two week cruise in a downpour yesterday... We're due to head off Thursday ourselves (rain or shine).

Last year after a similar spring/early summer on July 1st it was like someone 'flicked a switch' and we had 7 weeks of sun and hot, little rain. So there's still hope!

[paulk]

Can't imagine you were able to count all the walled fields & pens on Man in one weekend. You'll have to go back. Strangford Loch against the tide could keep you focused on things other than the nasty weather, too. We cruised the Irish coast for three weeks and only had rain once. (A 50-knot squall off Dublin that lasted twenty minutes.) Isn't it supposed to rain in Ireland?

[centaursailor]

Yep, better weather on the way, at least so the forecast suggests. Sunny and warm today so heres hoping the spilled porter did the trick.
Like the idea of Strangford, sounds like a chalange. Will try to get a video of the Routen Wheel as I flash past on the 7.5 kn tide.
Sailing directions Strangford Narrows
A ledge extension from the point causes a whirlpool that is dangerous for yachts. The ‘Routen Wheel’ will be a clearly identifiable seething surface rip. As it lies to the east of the Narrow’s mid-channel route it is easily avoided. It should also be noted that the constricted part of the channel, just above the ‘Routen Wheel’ and immediately south of Rue Point, is where the outgoing tidal streams attains its fastest rate of 7.5 kn at springs.


Safe sailing

[tdw]

Mid winter down here and despite it starting off pretty ugly the last week or so has been magnificent.

Had to do a family thing on the Gold Coast weekend past and wow, what a time of year to be up there. Just delightful. The tropical stuff has never appealed to me but in winter Qld is the place to be.