By Hannah Byrne 11 years (Edited by Mummy Byrne)

Saturday 13th May 2006

'Ardbeg' is an annual trip to the island of Islay in Scotland by Redbay Ribs, who launch at Cushendall. That's the plan every year - but someone forgot to tell the great weather god, who has been in foul temper for the past two years and so has prevented any crossing. This year we were going.

Saturday came and I got up at 4.50am looking forward to the journey ahead but even more excited about meeting my boats big brother, 'Bouncer of Ballycastle'.

I put on my big baby grow and all my base layers to keep me warm under my new dry suit that I had gotten for my birthday.

We left Rostrevor at 5.50 am and headed up to Cushendall on the North Coast. The sky was mostly blue and the sun looked as if it might come out to play. Although the traffic was light we were overtaken by swarms of motorbikes on their way to the North West 200 race.

We arrived at Cushendall at 8.15am and headed down to the slip to launch 'Bouncer' I felt the adrenaline pumping as I have to hold the boat. I get nervous in case something happens - what if I let go and it crashes into someone or what if the engines don't start and we can't go!

It was just like a scene out of a "Thomas the Tank Engine" story when all the other boats trundled down to the slip on their trailers pulled by Terence the tractor. There was 'Wicklow Wave', Limerick Lady', 'Castor', 'Cuchulainn', 'Mary Craig', 'Katandra', and the beautiful 'Molly James' and other Redbay RIBs.' Corryvreckan was the leader.

We had a briefing session and we were told to follow the leader 'Corryvreckan'. We could not travel any faster than 32 knots and had to keep a distance of 100 metres from each other. If anyone went over board the ' Molly James' would come to the rescue. I did think about jumping in just to get a ride on the beautiful 'Molly James'. She is an 11 metre cabin rib with torquoise blue tubes and 4 cream leather seats with shock absorbers ! I didn't realise how important they were until after the crossing to Ardbeg.

When all the boats were in the water, we lined up in the bay waiting for 'Corryvreckan', our leader to come to the front, it was 11.30 am. We had a radio check and when we were all loud and clear we set off. I held on for dear life as the sea in the northern Channel was very rough. There was a big swell with short choppy waves because it was wind against tide. Some of the big boats who were ahead said that the sea further out was like glass - but I didn't like their version of glass as the waves kept coming from every direction north, east, south and west.

We arrived on Islay, the 'lord of the isles' ninety minutes later and were piped ashore by a real Scottish piper with a kilt. There was a big table laid out with all sorts of foods, meatloaf, beef, potato salad and my favourite, prawn cocktail with maire rose sauce. Some of the drivers had Scotch whisky that was made in Ardbeg distillery, I had a can of Tango apple.

After the meal we all looked over each others boats. I went on a nosey to 'Molly James'. I liked it best of all - it was very fancy.

Coming back was a lot calmer and we called into Rathlin Island. I raced 'Bouncer of Ballycastle' into the harbour, but even though I had the throttles on full power I still couldn't catch him. Big brother was very fast. There is a new pontoon in Rathlin harbour which was not there the last time I was there.

On the way back to Cushendall, little flocks of diving birds ran across the water to get out of my way, with their feet and wings flapping. One jumped off a wave and belly-flopped down again. We surged back into Cushendall with a four knot tide pushing us on.

There was only one casualty, who got submerged under the salt water during the boat recovery. Emergency treatment was administered, the back was removed and while there were some sounds and movement no life flickered on the face - it was silly daddy's mobile phone. It was dead. Oh dear that means he will have to get a new one!

We packed away our stuff and left Cushendall at 9.00 pm. I slept the whole way home. I fell into my bed that kept pitching and rolling for the rest of the night.

The next morning my fingers and joints were stiff from holding on so tight. But I think I agreed with the big sign that they put out in Ardbeg for us when we arrived that said ' Glad you made it this Time'.

Posted: 15th May 2006