Irish Sea
8- 45 a.m.
April 17
Charley Cobb had not had an easy journey down the coast towards Liverpool. For a start there had been a sudden squall amongst the isles of Rhum, Coll and Tireee, a possibility well known to sailors on that part of the coast. It wasn’t stormy, but Charlie felt the small sea going boat’s engine strain as he passed Islay and pushed through the North Channel. It had crossed his mind to make a stop at the Isle of Man when the Irish Sea threw a mild tantrum, but Charlie was made of sterner stuff. He knew the sea well and took the heavy splashing rain, forceful waves and sudden dips and rises as part of the work to be done, just a journey and not an adventure. The small boat made sturdy progress towards the mouth of the Mersey with Charley’s bitter blue eyes reflecting the spray and drizzle.