7: Holyhead to Peel,
24th/25th June
Shipping forecast, 24th June 17.54: Irish Sea: variable or SW 3 or less inc 4 at times/ rain; fog patches
We slipped the berth at 18.45 hours on the 24th June for an overnight passage to Peel, distant about 58 miles. The south west wind, though having fallen lighter, continued to give us reasonable progress for the first few hours but fell very light overnight requiring use of the engine for some hours until it returned next morning as we rounded Chicken Rock Light at the south west tip of the Isle of Man around 06.30. This gave us a good sail beam reaching in ideal conditions, the wind now from the south east, off the land, for the remainder of the passage until we arrived at Peel and berthed in the new marina at 10.30 hours on the morning of the 25th.
The harbour is tidal with a flap gate for the inner basin, and approach and entrance must be within three hours either side of high water. There is anchorage or moorings for visitors awaiting the tide in the bay, though this situation is exposed to winds from a northerly quarter. As at Douglas there is a lifting bridge to be negotiated though this is a footbridge not, as at Douglas, a road bridge.
Peel is delightful; don’t on any account miss trying the delicious kippers from the world famous smokery at the head of the harbour.
Peel Marina seen from the footbridge over the entrance
NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION