Sunday 16th August

Unfortunately today the weather was still too bad to sail so we were marooned at Ballycastle for another day. With so much time on our hands we decided to make bread again in various shapes ranging from sheep to fish to cars. After working up an appetite making bread Port decided to make some cookies with Mary. Meanwhile the two Helens (Starboard) were chilling on deck awaiting the return of Melissa and Kate (Starboard) who were on the dinghy checking out local scenery in Ballycastle. After the return of the Helens to a boat smelling of freshly baked cookies Port took the dinghy out whilst Starboard were resigned to scrubbing the scum of the side of the boat. After having a lot of fun splashing each other with freezing cold sea water we were told by Ian that other boats in fact flushed their waste into the marina. Upon this discovery we all insisted on going straight to the showers. After an exhausting afternoon of baking, cleaning and pootling around in the dinghy we had a late afternoon siesta before Starboard cooked a spicy surprise in the shape of a chicken curry with naan bread. After dinner the instructors, to our surprise and delight, told us that the weather looked good enough to sail in the next day. In the evening we spoke to a gentleman that had crossed the North Channel today, he looked very tired and reported that conditions had been tough. Our decision to wait for another day now seems wise. We turned in early having earned a good night sleep before an early start to an exciting day of sailing.