Our plan was to visit the RSPB bird observatory at Bull Pt (the west end of the island) in the morning and then catch the last of the ebb tide to Portrush after lunch. However we found that all of the buses had been pre-booked by day-tripping parties, so somewhat disgruntled we departed from Rathlin at 11.10.
We motored along the N-side of Church Bay to Bull Pt, but encountered increasing seas close to Bull Point, so steered more SW to try to avoid them. As a result we couldn’t get close enough to the cliffs to see the nesting birds.
The wind to Portrush stayed about 30-40deg off the bow, so we continued motor-sailing with main only. The only highlight in the log was the sighting of a small porpoise near the entrance to the harbour.
We arrived at 15:30 alongside the pontoon and rendezvoused with Rob’s wife Betty, who had driven up to collect Aileen. Had some liquid refreshments in Yacht Club and an interesting chat with a friend of Aileen’s on whales and dolphins, and then had a nice dinner in the Ramore Wine Bar by the harbour.
Betty and the girls returned to Bangor and at 21:20 the Clyde Coastguard forecast was winds W 3-4, increasing to NW 5-6. Next 24hr, easing NW 4-5. It wasn’t looking good for a passage around Malin Head.