We arrive in Carrickfergus around 2.30 am and sleep in the marina for a few hours and take lovely warm showers. The weather gets worse, we VHF Belfast harbour master and head to our mooring on Lagan river in the morning, surrounded by mist and rain. We are also doing water quality readings along the way to the Lagan, yet aware that we need to come back for more concentrated sensing later on.
It is great feeling to set foot on Belfast. It took us 4 days longer than expected to make the journey; partly because I expected the boat to be quicker, but mostly because of winds facing us. At the same time, it could have taken even much longer. We are met by a friendly harbour master. The new mooring is very good. Paul Muhlbach, who has been assisting with local production, working for ISEA2009, greets us and we have a meeting over coffee. Then, to Catalyst Arts gallery (great artist run venue, very nice people running it) where we meet with Aideen Doran, and Duncan who helps out with construction work of the exhibition. Our sea legs sway us a bit, terra firma and first cappucino feel spot on.
One strategic notion for this residency, and future planning is to balance staying in harbours at sea carefully. Even though this was our longest stretch by far, one always needs to give a day or two extra for rain check. Even though sea was rough, our bodies are quite strong and momentum to work on our exhibition is really good.