Circumnavigation of Britain & Ireland : 2021 to 2024

Bristolfashion said:
Whilst I realise that many here will have achieved WAY more epic adventures, it has been a big thing for us ...... but, the big question is "what next"? Should we back off sailing for a while and tick off a few other things or press on?

It's a dilemma!
Click to expand...
Do what you feel if you have nothing driving a particular decision.
 
We are thinking of heading that way after Netherlands and kiel, SWMBO wanted to go south slowly through French canals to med but this is not as easy now so not on the plans.
 
Bristolfashion said:
People always ask us, "where was the best place" or "where was your favourite place". Impossible questions to answer. However, on the train today, we came up with a few awards from the experience. Remember, these are just from the places we visited, are highly biased and may well depend on how we felt / the weather / the company on the day.

Awards

Most iconic location: St Katherine's Dock (on the same pontoon as the Queen's Barge)

Most personal achievement : Bristol Floating Harbour (Gert lush!)

Most surprising destination on a circumnavigation : Newry via the Newry Canal.

The “blimey did we really do that” passage : Shetland to Kinlochbervie via Papa Westray.

Most successful multi-day passage : Around Malin Head, 4 days

The “We'd really better not get this passage wrong” award. Wick to Scapa Flow.

The Nature Experience Award : Orcas in Scapa Flow. Runner up prizes for Adam's first otter at Tarbert, 200 (approx) dolphins on passage in N.W. Scotland.

Wettest day : the Crinan Canal

Best restaurant : North Harbour Bistro, Scalpay.

Best Pub food : Applecross Inn

Most welcoming marina : Bridgend, Shetland (bread, milk, cheese, apple danish and mackerel were all supplied - gratis!)

Best sail : Central Orkneys, Kirkwall to Pierowall

Best Brunch : Killybegs (sadly now gone)

Best Fish & Chips : Killybegs seafood shack

Best Village shop : Ardfern (awarded mostly for the cakes)

Best Coffee : Bristol (of course), Small St Coffee & New Cut Coffee. The Corner, Cardiff. Stein's Coffee, Padstow.

Notable Pubs : Novia Scotia, Bristol. The Old Forge, Inverie, The Butt & Oyster, Pin Mill. The Kings Head, Tollesbury. Marisco Tavern, Lundy. The Jolly Roger, Sherkin Island. The Turk's Head, St Agnes, IOS.

Notable Cafes : Stones Bakery, Falmouth. Kommüne, Totnes. Lucy's, Ardfern

Most wacky experience: Amateur Australian zoo & unlicensed* bar, Shetland. *Drinks were free - but a voluntary donation to the zoo was allowed!

Best Pizza : Scallop & Black Pudding, Lochmaddy Hotel, North Uist

Best drying anchorage : Green Bay, Bryher

Poshest bathrooms : Boatfolk, North Shields.

Best wayside food : hot sausage rolls from the cake fridge, Scalpay. Honourable mention for the lady who had raised £1000 for charity with her pink gooseberries (etc), Tollesbury.

Art & Cultural Highlights : Camera Obscura, North Uist. Live music, Dingle. Bee Gees tribute band, Weymouth, Stand up comedy at the Old Town Inn, St Mary's, IOS. Watching a ska band on Mevagissey Quay from the tiny tender.
Click to expand...
Thats an interesting idea - scallop and black pudding pizza.

What is the make of the hard dinghy? I have the successor to your boat, a Sadler 290, and I wonder if the dinghy would fit.
 
Birdseye said:
Thats an interesting idea - scallop and black pudding pizza.

What is the make of the hard dinghy? I have the successor to your boat, a Sadler 290, and I wonder if the dinghy would fit.
Click to expand...
It's an otter boats pram front, made in Bideford. Fun to row single person, takes 2 if they're not too heavy - a bit tender and with low freeboard in anything but a reasonably flat sea. Very useable in harbour and sheltered waters.

We like it.
 
Last edited:
Birdseye said:
Thats an interesting idea - scallop and black pudding pizza.

What is the make of the hard dinghy? I have the successor to your boat, a Sadler 290, and I wonder if the dinghy would fit.
Click to expand...
Oh, and dimensions all on the website - we met the guy who makes them in Bideford - lovely chap.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top