We had wanted to cruise the Republic of Ireland but the westerlies had really made this impossible. In addition, our timetable was growing shorter and we had to keep our eyes on the prize (Scotland). Our trip NW across the Irish Sea and to the North Channel proved most enjoyable in generally light airs on port tack. The north and south flowing tides meet at the latitude of the southern tip of the Isle of Man and we gained some advantage from this over the 70 miles to the Northern Ireland coast. A big halo developed around the sun and the altostratus came causing concern about another front approaching. The Mull of Galloway, Scotland was seen on starboard. Our chosen anchorage north of the Strangford Lough proved to have poor holding so we were obliged to continue northwards against the now vigorous south flooding tide for the next 30 miles to Bangor, in the Belfast Lough. I played Simple Mind’s “Belfast Child” as we sailed into this famous place.