Crossed Donegal Bay to Teelin, quite amazing weather. A bit of a slow start with no wind so motored to the Stags, a dramatic group of rocks of the coast. Gradually the wind filled in to a gentle breeze and the sun shone. With the seas having gone right down and the wind behind us for once we could set the big multi-coloured Spinnaker, looking a lovely sight. The only thing to disturb our reverie was a call on the VHF from a fishing boat to warn us of his drift sets, a course alteration soon took us around the front of him and we exchanged cheery waves and I thanked him for the warning. As the south coast of Donegal Bay disappeared behind us there gradually appeared the cliffs of Slieve League. Dropping almost sheer from the summit of Slieve League 593 metres high they were an impressive sight. Closer too we turned long the coast past Carrigen Head and found the well hidden entrance to Teelin Harbour were we dropped anchor. Later a dinghy ride then a walk took us to the local pub, here to slack our thirst with that rich dark brew. Some of the locals were in full voice, fine unaccompanied singing, so it was much much later under a sky full of stars that I returned to the slip to find the dinghy mooring rope tied to a ring now under water, a hazard of being away longer than anticipated. Never mind, slip off the shoes, the water only up to my knees as I untie the knot and so back to the boat.

A beat to windward for 3 hours took us out to the island of Rathlin O'Birne but once through the sound and round Malin More Head we could free off and it was a fast reach up the coast to Aranmore. The wind had freshened once more and was gusty too, varying between 7 to 20 knots, the skies were overcast giving us occasional showers. The coast was shrouded in mist at times and we mostly kept a good offing both on account of the poor visibility and for the many rocks and dangers inshore. We did pass closer to the west coast of Aran Island with its fine rock scenery. Rounding Torneady point, the swell which had been on our beam most of the day was now behind us and horribly confused by its diffraction around the point. We dropped the main, no easy matter with the heavy rolling and ran into Aran Roads on the no 3 alone. Here we rounded up and dropped anchor in the lee of Calf Island, beautifully sheltered.

A grey misty and drizzly morning for our departure with 1 reef in the main and the no 3 set. Leaving the Ballagh Rocks beacon to starboard we sailed to the North end of Owey Island and then to Gola Island. Out to sea breaking waves and white water marked the position of Bullogconnell Bank, which we gave a wide berth. Given the usual swell most of the unmarked banks and rocks that the coast abound with are fairly easy to spot and avoid. They announce their presence with breaking waves, it might be more difficult in flat calm conditions.

As the wind eased we shook out the reef and changed to the no 2 genoa. Past Bloody Foreland, named on account of the spectacular sunsets to be seen, the sea were quiet and so to Horn Head. Now sitting on a mooring at Portsalon in Lough Swilly, so we have turned the corner so to speak, rounded Bloody Foreland, said goodbye to the West and are scooting along the North Coast.

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