Jean says: Bob did have his shorts on for a brief moment yesterday, and I got as far as opening my cupboard to check which T shirts I'd brought with me in case I needed one at short notice. Today I've re-applied the thermals, and Bob has reverted back to trousers and five layers.
Snow is forecast, but we are within sight of Scotland, so that may have something to do with it. It's so lucky that we've brought our thermally enhanced sailing kilts with us. We're certainly going to need them.
Yesterday, I found myself having a conversation with the fenders. I'm a little worried that the cold may be getting to parts of my brain, but Fat Boy Fender and Fender Rosa reassured me that it would only be temporary.
We went for a long walk along the National Trust coastline to a small place called Groomsport where we came across an award winning strudel cafe. This trip didn't begin as a prolonged cake tour round Britain, but it's turning into one, and we can only blame the weather. We can also blame the Irish because they do some of the best bakery that we've had anywhere. If we don't leave here soon, I'll be having to get the companionway opening enlarged, otherwise I'll be spending the rest of the journey on deck.
The strudel was delicious and so was the rhubarb scone. Bob ate most of both, but he is always able to eat for two and get away with it. Life can be so unfair.
Having exhausted ourselves eating, we headed back to the boat via Bangor town centre, but most of the shops were closed and heavily shuttered which is clearly a throwback to the 'Troubles'. Bangor escaped much of the sectarian violence during the Troubles, but there were still multiple killings, car bombs, incendiary devices, and extensive damage done to many of the shops and a few of the local churches. It's hard to imagine such violence like that occurring in a place that has such a similar identity to home, and hard to imagine the feeling of being at risk on a daily basis. Despite the slightly threatening atmosphere when everything is shut up, Bangor is an otherwise attractive town and still retains a Victorian seaside resort feel to it. They're promoting tourism here quite heavily and it does have a lot to offer.
If only sunshine could be guaranteed!

Bob says: the Strudel Cafe is the first one I've ever come across that has a mission statement (see photo below). Comforting in a way to be reminded of the corporate world here in County Down. It's clearly done them some good because they won the County Down casual eating award and were off to Dublin today to compete in the all Ireland finals!
One of the things the corporate world could definitely learn from the sailing world is the fantastic level of customer service you seem to get in all the marinas, certainly the ones we've been to. Maybe it's the recession and they're all struggling to stay in business or maybe people with the right attitude are attracted to jobs in this industry. Either way, no one seems to find any question or moan too much to deal with. Being new to this part of the world we wanted a tip or two about things to do around here and the Bangor Marina manager has to get the all Ireland award for the most helpful guy. So, if we're stuck here for a week we now know several walks, countless attractions, the best modes of transport to get anywhere (he even recommended sailing to the Titanic Exhibition!) and the best dentists in town if my tooth gets any worse (it's grumbling a bit). Coffee and cake shops we seem to be able to find ourselves!