Day 28

After a quiet celebration for Derek's birthday last night we decided a sleep in was in order this morning so we got up at 8 a.m. Thanks again to Tommy Fitzgerald for coming into Glenarm last night and for sorting out the Larne Harbour Patrol. We were on the water for 10 a.m. and paddled to Ballygalley Head. From there we made the open crossing of Larne Lough. As we crossed the Lough we had to make way for the passenger ferries coming in and out of the harbour. As luck would have it Tommy Fitzgerld's high speed ferry passed in front of us and we got to talk to him briefly on the VHF radio. At this stage the morning was very nice, the sun was shining and the wind was at our backs. We paddled on for the opening of Belfast Harbour. As we approached the harbour the skies clouded over and it began to rain so we stopped briefly at a place called Whitehead for lunch. After a ten minute stop we made the 8 mile crossing of the Harbour. It rained steadily as we crossed the harbour but we completed the crossing without incident. We paddled on past Donaghadee, Millisle and Ballyferris point. We eventually stopped in a town called Ballywalter, got something to eat there but because we couldnt find a suitable camping place we got back in the boats and paddled to a nearby beach where we have set up camp and are settled in for the night. Our plan is to be up early in the morning to make as much headway as possible. 38 miles and 8 hours 38 minutes paddling. Congratulations to the Dungarvan Under 12s Hurling team on winning the county final today. We were rooting for them from up here.