We left our anchorage as the last of the tide was coming in. It took a good hour or 2 to get out of the Lough and up the channel into safe water, until we could start heading in a northerly direction. So we did a fair few miles effectively in the wrong direction before we could start going where we wanted to. But sailing isn't like driving a car and you definitely don't often go in a straight line.
We were well prepared for the cold today with all our layers on. It was only a week ago that we were sweltering in 40°C - how I wish to have that sunshine and warmth. I'm definitely a warm weather person.
Today's highlights have been 3 dolphin sightings. One in the lough and the others in the sea. Always quite exciting to see the telltale dorsal fin and the curving dive. There have been loads of birds to spot and seal bobbing up. Seal were also basking on the beach as we dropped anchor this evening as well. Gannets have been swooping and diving into the sea - a bit like fighter jets going into a nose dive or like falcons when they dive down on their prey.
We've also been dodging fishing pots as we skirt down the coast. Several times it was like entering a minefield of flags, buoys, ice cream tubs, footballs, fenders, milk bottles and plastic containers - anything seems to be used as a mark for a fishing pot but they're not all very easy to see. Ian was on pot watch while I navigated and slalomed through. We had to put the headsail down and motor through one section as it wasn't an easy task to sail and miss them.
Anyway, we avoided all the pots, got the headsail back up and decided to anchor up off the beach in Dundrum bay at about 6pm rather than keep going to Strangford Lough. We'll continue our journey there tomorrow.
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