Meandering Mew Cruise 29 June 2023

 

Mew Lighthouse.  Like most lighthouses these days this is automatic with an LED light
 in place of the old Fresnel lens.  The lens from this light is now on display at the
Titanic Slipway in Belfast.  I remember it well from when it was at the top of the tower.

At 16.30 we set sail for an early evening cruise to the Copelands and beyond.  We don’t need much of an excuse to take the boat out, but our flimsy reasoning this evening was to take Gordon’s sister Anne, and husband Peter, out for their first trip on Lazaway.  Ardent followers of the Lazaway Life blog this was their first chance to actually sample the bucolic life at sea. 

Immediately on leaving Bangor, Gordon took us round the US Naval Ship Maury,
which was unmoving, but not anchored, just outside the harbour.  
It remained stationary for at least 24 hours, and by coincidence (?) turns up at
the same time a a US Super Hercules flies into Belfast. Conspiracy theorists get to work!


Anne, Peter, Mary and Susie having coffee and tea as we approach Lighthouse Island
 (the one without the lighthouse)

This evening was definitely a case of managing expectations well.  The forecast was dull, not sunny, probable rain and light winds.  It turned out to be much calmer and warmer than we expected, there were sunny patches, and no rain.  All in all we were delighted with the conditions - really rather good for gentle cruisin’ and cetacean spotting.  

We called into the north side of the channel between Lighthouse (without the lighthouse) and Mew (with the lighthouse) Islands, in order to see the Puffins.  There were loads of them on the water and flying to and from the island. Endearing as ever.  We’ll have to bring a proper camera next time to get some decent pictures.  Three Grey Seals also made an appearance, with one large male coming out to the boat to investigate.

Mew Island.  
There were sunny spells (honest).

Then, with sea so calm, we slowly pockled out beyond Mew to see if any cetaceans could be spotted.  We gave it half an hour without success a little disappointingly, but you know, it was just nice pockling.  

Anyway we headed home through the channel between the outer islands and Big Copeland, and near Briggs Buoy briefly spotted two Harbour Porpoises. A gentle success.

Back into Bangor at 19.00, in time for dinner at the Jamaica Inn.  

Very civilised.

The boat bird count had a rather relaxed 18 species.

Our route: 
























































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