The autumnal lows in the north of Ireland will arrive soon. To reach Brittany, we hesitate to go through the east coast or the west coast of Ireland.
The first one has the advantage of being more direct, better sheltered from strong winds and western swell. But, as far as anchorages and landscapes are concerned, it is not our favorite coast. The second one, longer to cover and offered to the ocean waves, is wild and magnificent. At the anchorage of Gigha, a small island in the southwest of Scotland, we wait for an opportunity by watching the weather and preparing the boat for departure.
Exceptional weather
For once, the weather offered us an extraordinary window of East wind. Three or four days of a calm easterly wind, that had not happened to us once in the last few months, while we were sailing around the Scottish islands. For us, it's the perfect opportunity to go through the West of Ireland. We set sail for several days to make the most of this good wind.
A first day of sailing in paradise
The first day of sailing is a daydream. The sea is as flat as the back of your hand, the weather is mild and sunny, the sailboat glides quietly downwind. On their side, the children play as if nothing had happened, laughing in the cockpit. The Lego's are out as well as the disguises. A cartoon at nap time, the time has passed quickly.
In the afternoon, the captain caught five mackerels for dinner. To crown this idyllic day, our sailboat crossed the path of a whale, which we saw twice on starboard.
The current reverses
Maybe the day was too beautiful. Absorbed by the joy of being there, as a family on a perfect sea, we did not pay enough attention to our progress to the West. When the sun starts to go down on the horizon, we realize that our speed, already quiet, decreases drastically. We are in sight of Inishtrahull Island, but it is too late: we did not pass Malin Head in time. The current has reversed!
We are in the wrong place at the wrong time. The current here can reach 3.8 knots. It is not as strong as the Corryvreckan, but with the light wind we have, we will not be able to spread it. It is too late to take refuge in the anchorage on the coast, and the scattered fishing traps do not encourage us to turn on the engine in the dark.
A night against the tide
We will have to fight against the current for a good part of the night, to avoid going backwards and losing the miles gained during the day. Inishtrahull, with its lighthouse, remains visible in front of us for many hours. We could not pass the island. Until the current reverses in our favor.
Our sailboat then continues its route under the stars, heading west, finally passing the lights of Malin Head.
