After being on the water for a long time, sailing almost the entire Mediterranean sea from East to West and then the North Atlantic Ocean, adjusting to land life takes some time. But it is easier to arrive in a little village then in a big town.
We learn that Ardglass marina is a charity and their staff members are volunteers. Just very friendy, helpfull, committed people: they do this for fun! Compare that to those big commercial marinas. As usual, once on land the work starts: have to fly in Glasgow on July 26 to meet a customer and to wish Julia all the best as July 27 is her last working day before retirement. But first to Bangor marina near Belfast, put the boat in the marina then travel by bus to Southern Ireland.
Back in Ireland near Carlingford Lough, a big, long, shallow fjord-like inlet with large tidal streams at its entrance, more information on: https://eoceanic.com/sailing/harbours/110/newry
For pleasure craft with a draft of 2 meters Carlingford Lough is only accessable at slack tide via a narrow commercial shipping channel with 2 deep water anchorages one at Killowen and one at the Albert basin in Newry. Pleasure craft seem no longer welcome at Warrenpoint. The harbourmaster of Warrenpoint told me: “there are no berths available with that depth sorry” All this looks a bit challenging so I decide that it is better for a first entrance to stay at anchor until the wind drops. The days pass and it is not warm at all outside so early to bed and lets watch a nice Netflix movie. Suddenly we hear someone knocking on the hull…..
How is that possible, we are at anchor a mile from the shore? I open the rear window and see a friendly face outside in heavy weather gear. He asks: are you all right? I am perplexed for a minute then respond: yes all is fine, just a minute I will come outside. There are several men and they introduce themselves: we are members of the Kilkeel rescue boat team, a fisherman and somebody on shore reported that your anchor light went out last night so we came to see if everything is all right with you.
How wonderfull are the Irish people: they want to be sure we sailors are not in trouble at sea!
being on anchor is fun but it is better to be on a safe mooring before the winterstorms come…
So on a Sunday after making an appointment with the Newry and Mourne City Council 2 sailing vessels motor up the Newry river past Warrenpoint. The Newry river is tidal so it is very important to plan the arrival at the entry of the Victoria lock to the Newry canal near high tide.
With a draft of 205cm there was only 5 cm water under the keel at the entrance of the lock.
Sailing up the Newry canal to the Albert basin located in the center of the city of Newry.
Hopefully this hidden treasure for sailors will remain when Newry realises its Albert Basin Park
Very worrying is the plan to build a fixed bridge over Newry canal for the Southern relief road. A fixed bridge will block access for sailing yachts to the Albert basin and the planned marina.
Support the IWAI Newry and Portadown https://www.facebook.com/Newry.Portadown.Canal/