The plan
10 a.m. I’m on the phone to Timo, having just checked the latest weather updates. Our mission (myself, Timo and Ross Williams) to the East Coast is rapidly falling apart. I’m usually one to head directly without stopping at ‘GO’ to the eye of any storm, but this low was wrapping up into such a tight ball of isobars that it was insanity to head into travel chaos. Timo was having none of it and, rather than focus on our initial target, his radar had broadened to cover every single nook and cranny within a day’s drive of the south coast rather than abort this mission. After scouring the maps he finally made a call. Despite north-westerly winds, which are predominantly onshore in Ireland, Timo had dug out a harbour wall surf break that should be cross-off and work in a big swell. Madness I know, but he was adamant he was going ahead regardless and it was now up to me and Ross if we wanted to commit to 24 hours of madness?
1 p.m. Ross and I are at Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight in line for the next ferry. Don’t ask me why! We’re now committed. Timo’s booked a Stena Line ferry from Birkenhead (Yes, that’s from Liverpool) to Belfast and Ross and I are rushing over to meet him in Poole. From there it’s a race to make the last check in at 9 p.m. for the 10.30 crossing. Bearing in mind 80 mph winds are forecast during the night in the Irish Sea, we’re not even sure if the ferry will go. This trip is already verging on insanity.
3 p.m. Made it to Poole! A quick re load of vehicles as we all pile into Timo’s van and get ready to hit the road. Once I’m on board, I know anything is possible during the next couple of days. If the ferry doesn’t run, we could even be back tomorrow morning!
