Sailing past the Giant’s Causeway (unimpressive from seaward – dwarfed
by columnar cliffs along the north Antrim coast) we reached Portrush,
and dined at the much-recommended Harbour Bistro – liked the food but
not the two hour wait for it. Next day we took the train to Londonderry
and walked round the old city walls, visited the siege museum and
browsed the second-hand bookshops and charity shops. A poor weather
forecast ruled out rounding Malin Head so we stayed another day in
Portrush. Mike and the Skipper accepted an invitation to crew on a
racing yacht, which was fun but wet in a Force 7 wind. Continuing
westerlies made us abandon plans to go out west to Tory Island, so we
headed back east to Ballycastle, an attractive resort with a smallish
marina. After strong overnight winds the forecast of SW 5-7 was ideal
for sailing north to Islay, and we set off with barely 10kts of wind
registering. However it blew up suddenly, and in no time we had a W 7
gusting 8 with big seas from wind over strong tide, and a small tear
appeared in the reefed headsail. We turned and ran downwind into
Rathlin, where we await better conditions before continuing north.