Part 1V Into the (Magical) West…
Fiona would call these goosebump moments…I suppose when you tread on magical territory it’s bound to happen…
On the first morning at sea we were rounding Wexford when six dolphins showed up as escorts. They played with the bow and stern waves for twenty minutes or so while I struggled and succeeded (I think
haven’t checked yet!!!) with the video. It was wonderful to have such graceful company during that first uncertain morning…
Later…off Cork , and almost into Tir na n-Og (you wont find that one on the charts
) Fiona spotted a second group, and over they came … escorting us and encouraging us on our way. I was just pointing out to Fi where my Da used to take his little boat out and when I said the word ‘Da’ two dolphins leapt out of the water simultaneously…one at either side of the boat…
Another connection was made in Donegal where we stopped involuntarily(!!!!) for an engine sort-out. We asked the locals if they knew a mechanic/engineer and the answer came back…’Aye…Paul Ferry’s yer man’. I had a sudden flashback to the London Boatshow where we had met and chatted to someone for a few moments, asked him to take a photo of us with the new Suzuki engine for Ian (NWR) only to be invited to ‘Derry…any time at all’ to try out Ferryman RIBS…built by this man’s company. We took his card and moved on after a nice chat and that was that. Or so I thought …until that morning in Donegal when suddenly I was talking to the same man on the ‘phone and he was offering to give up his Saturday Morning to have a look at the engine. And there he was. Fixed us up ready to go again (said if it broke down on the way out we should probably come back
). What a gentleman. Refused payment . Paul Ferry if you ever read this may you and your family have a blessed life
Sincere thanks. As it happens we were escorted out that evening by a Ferryman RIB …thanks …and sorry I didn’t get the names.
That evening with the engine reasonably happy and encouragement from (my ) Paul xxx and Fiona’s Mum (Liz
) and her mate as well as an assortment of locals we headed back out to sea for the last leg (though I was trying not to think of last legs as we willed the engine on…
) We gave Malin Head a wide berth and the local rocks, fishing boats, lobster pots etc. and almost hit Scotland before turning for Rathlin Island. Night-time; following sea...and then Fiona shouted…out of the starboard window we could distinctly see the same two marker buoys which had eventually detached themselves from our prop the previous night They were quite distinctive and we had spent long enough looking at them and struggling with them to recognise them immediately. To see them cheerily bobbing beside us miles away and hours later (still roped together) like two evil creatures really scared the bejaysus out of us. We almost went back to pick them up and then thought better of it. It gave a whole new meaning to ‘following sea’
The boat fairly romped home down the Antrim Coast after surviving the evil race around Fair Head. The engine (which had complained a bit during the night) sounded happier and we were going to make it. And make it we did…with the CD player blasting, the Irish flags flying and champagne bottles (thoughfully provided by Alan ) at the ready…We headed for Donaghadee Harbour as water was low in the Marina . As we passed the first marker buoy on the way in that was it…Eileen the faithful engine gave a few loud coughs and we lost power. We had enough to take us to the pontoon where we tied up with great relief (and phoned Alan about the spare gearbox
). Great timing Eileen. Great engine altogether.
Oh and among the group welcoming us home was Fiona’s dog. I was hardly surprised to learn her name was Serendipity. Her pink varnished toenails were the last straw
Magic………………..
