North to the Clyde

The final leg to our journey would be in three parts. The forecast was, as usual, for strong winds and rain. The wind was to be from south west so it was in a helpful direction. We decided to head for home as the other option, to go to Bangor in Ireland would have meant more windward work. The journey would be around two hundred miles and we would simply keep going. First north west to  the Isle of Man - then from Man to Corsewell Point at the top of the Mull of Galloway, and from there up the Clyde past Ailsa Craig, Aran, Bute and the Cumbries to home at Inverkip. The wind was relatively light for a while so we motor sailed for a couple of hours waiting for  it to increase. Towards nightfall we were approaching the Calf of Man and through the gloom we could make out the lighthouses and avoid the dangers. Through the night we took turns as usual - two hours steering, two hours in a bunk, two hours on standby ready to assist the helmsman. Sometimes we managed to sleep but sometimes it was just a doze.
The rain was pretty steady and we were all wet but with hot drinks and progress being made things were fine. Once into the Clyde we felt we were in home waters but it was still a long way to go. As we crossed our outward track between Bute and the Cumbries we felt justified in having a small celebration - Almagnac or something like that. At 10.30 we rounded the familiar breakwater of Kip and slipped into our usual berth. A nightcap and off to sleep.
I'll do a resume of thoughts and experiences but for now it is good not to be getting chucked about by the waves - especially while trying to put on damp foul weather gear. We have seen some beautiful sunsets and sun rises, we have seen a lot of wind and rain, we have seen new parts of Britain from a new angle, and we have coped with each other in a small space for a month. Twenty nine days was quicker than we had expected, the mileage was about 1950, the boat looked after us well. There was some glorious sailing even if some was of the white knuckle variety. We raised a bit of money for Myeloma UK. 
Thanks for your interest if you have been following us. Whatever shall we do next ?