After a leisurely breakfast we decided to get the 10.30am ferry (they go on the hour and half hour), so I made some sandwiches and we were waiting to see the ferry cross over the lough so we could just walk around the harbour and get on it. Just as we were contemplating moving the very helpful harbour master popped by and asked if we were staying another night (we were). He'd returned home yesterday and told his wife that we were looking for a launderette but there is none locally and not even over the water in Portaferry. We'd even checked in Killyleagh and White Rock and round Carlingford Lough and drawn a blank on washing machines. She suggested that he bring our washing back to their house so our laundry was kindly taken to be done by the harbour master's wife 😃. He told us that he expected to have it back to us early afternoon so if we weren't on board he'd put it in the cockpit. We have been bowled over by people's generosity, friendliness and helpfulness on our travels across here in Ireland.
Once we'd sorted out our bag of washing we headed off on the ferry and took off on the walk up to the old windmill (now just a tower) on the hill above Portaferry. There we chatted to a gentleman who was releasing his racing pigeons and one taking his dog for a walk. Both were very friendly - we're now aware that if you can't see the Mourne mountains in the distance it's going to rain and if you can it'll rain soon 😅. Also if the rain's warm it must be summer!
As there was a fine drizzle in the air (it wasn't supposed to rain until 4pm!), we went in search of a tea shop in the village. We stopped for a cuppa after spotting Portaferry Castle (a twin to the one in Strangford).
By this stage we'd done Portaferry so thought we'd see if we could do a bit of Geocaching. The caches were along the coastline taking us through Nugent woods on a fairy trail.
We didn't find the cache in the woods - gave up after wading through brambles. However the second one on the shoreline we located.
The third one also proved to be elusive but it meant we had a lovely walk and a picnic. Back through the woods I spotted an unusual seat.
We managed to time our walk so we got to the ferry a few minutes before it's departure back to Strangford.
Back on board at about 4.30pm there was no sign of our washing but we weren't concerned as we were sure it would soon be delivered back. So we spent our time filling the water tanks, getting dinner ready, chatting to people on the pontoon who'd just sailed in, having a cuppa and reading.
By about 7pm I was getting a bit anxious that I was down to my last pair of knickers (I was wearing them) and thinking of possible scenarios to get over the problem of lost washing ..... wearing a swimming costume, using my thermal long john's (starting a new fashion wearing them in combination with shorts 😅). Delaying our departure for another day if they didn't turn up by 8am tomorrow when we plan to leave.
Fortunately we didn't have to worry as the harbour master popped by at about 7.30pm, so we'll be sweet smelling and squeaky clean again, especially after showers as well 😇.
Forecast looking good for our sail to Isle of Man tomorrow so should be in Peel by mid afternoon.
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