Ireland to Peel

Exit Howth Port

 

Leaving Howth

Sun beams

I set off at 06.00 as it was going to be a long day. It was a grey start and although I had done quite a bit of planning it was my longest sail single handed yet. It soon brightened up and the sunbeams bursting through the clouds were amazing. After a four hours and other than a bit of map reading things became a bit boring so I sat wondering how cool it would be if there were some dolphins. A few minutes later I thought I saw a dorsal fin... I contemplated radioing the coast guard and telling them I was delusional but then I saw another and another. Amazingly 5 came along then another 5 and so on. At the most I think there were around 20 to 25 but the core 5 that came first were with me for about 25 minutes. These are the days that make all the hard work worthwhile.

After the brilliant dolphin interlude it was back to the slog of just staying on watch and plotting the route. Making the most of the tide or lack of it in the area between Ireland and the Isle of Man. Eventually the Isle of Man appeared on the horizon and slowly I advanced along the length of the Island towards Peel.
The entrance to Peel is amazing, you have a medieval castle, a beach, a swing bridge and flap gate to get into the marina. You have to wait for the swing bridge to open and for the gate to be open depending on the tide. Past a certain time and it is controlled by Douglas marina so you have to call them on the radio.

I got in at about 8.30 and the very kind guy who ran Peel Marina came back down from home to give me a Marina gate card and tell me what was where. I went in the Creek Inn to catch last orders, what an amazing sail. 73.5 nm.
I spent the next day looking around Peel, it is amazing, I went to the Castle, spent time at a cafe on the beach, found the way to pay for fuel. The guy selling the fuel didn't seem to appreciate the advantages of living in Peel. I suppose we all get used to our own surroundings and hanker after other things. Well worth a visit by sail or otherwise.

View from the castle

lovely sunny day

the marina is so picturesque