Sailing from Whiterock to Ringhaddy (Strangford Lough)

Mr Nick and I met today at Whiterock on the western shore of Strangford Lough to go sailing. The wind was in the northwest and was forecast to be breezy. But when I arrived Nick had already been out for a scoot and said that the conditions were "challenging" and that instead of trying to weave amongst the moored yachts we might be better to do a downwind run to Ringhaddy further south. So we set up a shuttle leaving my car at Ringhaddy for the return journey.

I dont have any photos or video of the first leg as things were "busy" until we got into the inland side of Conolly Island. I even dropped my Lee board overboard at one point and had to do a "man-over-board" rescue. But I managed okay using my spare paddle as a temporary leeboard to get me back upwind to get it.

We stopped on Darragh island for a spot of lunch.
Then got organised for the next leg of the journey.

Nick getting ready to go.










Nick set off first, so I videoed him as he disappeared into the distance.





My canoe with its rig.





By the time I got on the water Nick had a really good head start.





But there was no rush so I was able to get the camera out again and sail "handsfree" while I shot another couple of videos.
Near the end of this one you can see some of "Mal's clockwork herons" as they take off from the shore.





I went for the artistic "SotP" shot on this one.




By the time we reached Ringhaddy the sun came out, so a pleasant way to finish the day. As usual the craic was mighty with Nick, and we put the world to rights on the way back to Nick's car.

Wednesday on Strangford Lough is a nice place to be.