Homeward Bound

We woke to a clear calm day, though there was some sea mist some distance off.  Heading for Glenarm through Rathlin Sound it was still and the legendary tidal races were only mildly evident.  As we rounded Tor Head the skipper raised the radar reflector, visibility was dropping fast! Within minutes it was down to 20 yards and worse, so the autohelm was engaged,navigation manages thoroughly it and the chartplotter, Mark perched on the bow with the fog horn and Siobhan and the skipper had their eyes peeled.
It was a long and stressful run but as fast as we can remember. At one point we were making just over 10 knots over ground and we reckon there must have been a tide of over 4 knots!  There was nothing to be seen until out of the mist came the spectral image of a yacht almost dead ahead and heading in our direction.  A minor adjustment to course saw us pass close to and exchange a silent wave. Then they were gone!
On occasions we heard fog horns of other vessels, seemingly of vastly different sizes.  We listened carefully to whether they were getting louder or feinter...thankfully all was well.  In no time we were in Belfast Lough, but all was not safe. Suddenly out of the mist loomed the pier that carries the oil pipe between Whitehead and Kilroot.  The skipper thought he'd left it to starboard but a swift adjustment of course saw us round it without difficulty.
As if by magic the fog lifted as we approached Carrickfergus.  Home at last....and there on the harbour was was Brendan Mc Cabe welcoming us enthusiastically home.  When we tied up on the pontoon the corks were popped as we were joined by Brendan, Miriam and Joanne Mc M.
What a sense of  elation, relief, joy and completion.  None of this could have been possible with an amazing crew....Mark for the entire circumnavigation, Neil and Siobhan for much of it and Kevin and Diarmuid Og for short hops. Our shore based support, in particular Miriam, Maireita, Joanna and Stevie were incredible.....and last but not least we need to sing the praises of Goose who saw us through the rough and the smooth with the steadiness  we've come to expect!