So I thought it might be appropriate to introduce the boat and the intention. Our trusty vessel is a classic ...a Contessa 32 'Goose' (formerly Aislin). She was built in Toronto by the first owner Declan Mackle the Belfast born round the world yachtsman when he worked in Contessa manufacture there. She is a fine bespoke vessel and after sailing her back to Ireland 10 years ago Declan sold her and she was based on the island of Skye until I bought her last year.
So off we go. Our first leg takes us from Carrickfergus out Belfast Lough and, weather permitting, through Copeland sound (the scene of my knuckle whitening ride through the race last week!)
The Copeland Islands are known as the one time residence of a primitive and extinct people, the Arleni. They were heavy set with a low centre of gravity, built for traction rather than elegance. Their feet, arms and hands were extraordinarily large to give purchase against the prevailing northerly winds and leading to the endearing name of 'knuckle trailers'. These limbs were not proportionately related to their reproductive appendages (a somewhat presidential deficit) and the low rate of reproduction coupled with their resistance to the principles of evolution, lead to their eventual demise. Less pure genetic traces are still to be found in certain politicians to this day.
But I digress. After passing through the sound we run down along the eastern shore of the Ards peninsula, past the entrance to Strangford Lough and on to Ardglass. The marina there has been opened for just over 20 years and has been, for all that time, been managed by Freddy an amiable helpful man. His own genetic lineage might be of some interest (possibly a royal and and noble past) but that's probably best left more worthy analysis than I can offer?
The estimated time for this trip is circa 7 hours and the next instalment will give details of how we fared.
For now I'll sign off and anticipate the best.
Diarmuid
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