Serendipity…… it’s all about timing!
“William Tell” departed with 3 on board heading to the west coast of Scotland via the Isle of Man. We left at HW on Sunday and motor sailed to Carnsore Point. We knew we’d have an hour or so of foul tide but it was essential to get to Peel on the Isle of Man by 6pm at the latest, as you need to cross a sill to enter the harbour which is only possible an hour or so either side of high water. In addition, the wind was to build on Monday afternoon to Force 7 or 8 by early evening.
On Sunday evening, we were able to shut off the engine and enjoyed a cracking sail overnight, close reach with a reef in the main and a couple of turns on the yankee. By morning the washing machine that is the Irish Sea was all around us and we headed north for the Isle of Man.
We saw very little shipping but enjoyed being “visible” on our new AIS. As Monday progressed the wind started to build from the south. By midday we had dropped the main and were flying along at over 7knots with a partially rolled yankee. That was put away as we “skidded” around Peel Castle and approached the swing bridge at 4pm. I’d emailed ahead and when we called the harbour master on the VHF, he said he could squeeze us in on the harbour wall! Why were they so busy in early June?!
As we approached, maximum concentration on board but a full-on party ashore with the ROAR of motor bike engines and a band playing on the quay, right beside the gap on the wall for us!!
As we were given a hand tying up we were told not only had we arrived in the middle of TT Fortnight but it was also Peel Day! Now that’s what you call timing, miss the gale(just!?), catch the tide and then unplanned arrive on the Isle of Man on one of the best days of the year!
Knowing nothing about bikes or TT racing we were soon indoctrinated by very friendly Manx people and equally friendly and enthusiastic bikers. Next day we headed out to watch on the nearest corner to Peel, 10 minutes on a bus. We were soon hooked by the speed, smell and visceral roar of engines and mesmerised by these incredibly brave and skilful riders coming past us at 100mph plus, braking into a corner and accelerating away. No room for any errors.
After 2 nights we left Peel early on Wednesday morning in plenty of wind and had a very lumpy sail to Bangor, where Tony jumped ship and Claire and I are now heading up the west side of the Mull of Kintyre with Wings at full volume and Claire cranking up her Scottish playlist with Run Rig and Capercaillie to follow!!
