The weather forecast looked favourable so an early October trip across Morecambe Bay was arranged. It was the first trip for Manta 19 ‘Luath’ — a boat that has spent twenty odd years sat on a mooring on Windermere / Ulswater and more recently in a farmer’s field.
Algae is a problem for boats sat idle for long periods out of the sun. However, and here’s a trick, if a boat has been waxed before hand, the green stuff comes off much easier. It took five or six buckets of sea water allied with some good honest elbow grease to get ‘Luath’ looking spic and span.
The three men and two boats arrived at Piel Island and spent the night rafted up side by side. A shore visit to the island’s one and only public house was made, and for the time of year there was an encouraging number of sailors at the bar making merry.
The Saturday’s out-bound passage was cloudy but generally fine and Sunday’s home-bound passage was fantastic — we had unadulterated sunshine all the way. The three men and two boats started early to make the most of the tides. As you can see there was a lovely sun rise over over the town of Morecambe. Behold!
Now take a look at the view of the Lake District fells above. This was taken whilst heading up the Barrow channel. We saw a hot air balloon traversing the hillside from the right towards the wind turbines. Rather them than me!
Earlier during the passage home there was no point in parting company, so we remained rafted-up. Thus lucky ‘Luath’ got a free ride home — cheers ‘Sika’!
Now see the fun for yourselves on YouTube: –