tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51345127588537479732024-03-13T07:25:24.252+00:00Maunie of ArdwallBy Graham and Dianne
aboard 'Maunie of Ardwall'Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.comBlogger913125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-55142729652421713352023-09-16T08:18:00.002+01:002023-09-16T08:18:34.857+01:00Perfect day for some aerial photos<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Yesterday was a memorable day. Leaving Swanage just before midday, we had insufficient wind to sail (again) so motored round to Lulworth Cove for an excellent lunch stop.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHk1inP0zket3zFLubJc5PEiOXmsbg32EpCmfgfLs6FFg3yMikpKeU6jUbSNZhmHZoHocFDZBV1zhYg4itbneegkaldIb_3tZ08lXrk1R-XggyqKudhQbs_fGhorBLGGYk7jwcEyADtc-MOsflIpu9fxd_mrW4pT68LqXjSOw_edB3YCHWJ8dxBJ7Fls/s4895/GOPR0880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3671" data-original-width="4895" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHk1inP0zket3zFLubJc5PEiOXmsbg32EpCmfgfLs6FFg3yMikpKeU6jUbSNZhmHZoHocFDZBV1zhYg4itbneegkaldIb_3tZ08lXrk1R-XggyqKudhQbs_fGhorBLGGYk7jwcEyADtc-MOsflIpu9fxd_mrW4pT68LqXjSOw_edB3YCHWJ8dxBJ7Fls/w640-h480/GOPR0880.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Thankfully, the wind began to fill in after lunch so we were able to set the Parasailor.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYRN7i3SfQRiNFiQQy4Nx5xjgAoxmzJS6o6r9gmi4SrDd7a3fLnHvde9R-fl7pcEqxDPdVmcorfn49o_6C59khDN1Xe9VKPgQRUQE0FgXxyoUlOlXH9gSNy96Do7CTrEyM6GEm5vil3aCBj8AZZp6xKS1lzhSovLg1lHw5QNkLP8zYTS4Yc_Gn4Svza8/s5184/GOPR0887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYRN7i3SfQRiNFiQQy4Nx5xjgAoxmzJS6o6r9gmi4SrDd7a3fLnHvde9R-fl7pcEqxDPdVmcorfn49o_6C59khDN1Xe9VKPgQRUQE0FgXxyoUlOlXH9gSNy96Do7CTrEyM6GEm5vil3aCBj8AZZp6xKS1lzhSovLg1lHw5QNkLP8zYTS4Yc_Gn4Svza8/w640-h480/GOPR0887.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxYRMyXkNjVa51niRnEze5XKOuqyGsVc6FAIUkgcfmfJ-fJ8nb0ooVvme7DbpPWz_QKfcUR74IgfZjzYpwcRTSRrHeCK_8gVK2GzKoZ3a4vXSGZcdJUg6WkEy31k-AXTcC-qGkXAO3nvqcCZeZkLbyCJLfjRlatCtLM58BYjoyf6gWG8Y_y1SucznLDg/s5184/GOPR0889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3429" data-original-width="5184" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxYRMyXkNjVa51niRnEze5XKOuqyGsVc6FAIUkgcfmfJ-fJ8nb0ooVvme7DbpPWz_QKfcUR74IgfZjzYpwcRTSRrHeCK_8gVK2GzKoZ3a4vXSGZcdJUg6WkEy31k-AXTcC-qGkXAO3nvqcCZeZkLbyCJLfjRlatCtLM58BYjoyf6gWG8Y_y1SucznLDg/w640-h424/GOPR0889.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWStCxCYPuUeMP7GR0iUPDm2I1QHiPYSumUOe33S_DXOsjwAEel_FTI5uuRW75Km7ZouOkJ0AEOlymbYXjzDUAgm9Zs1nys5yU2UuApHN3izg_cbRYDZFTC3vm9E2qBV0PGuWFe80dj265SxRBbqRbzYi5D0Gp_u_bZiysVJ78QDtrwiBzuSrv_EW1r4/s5184/GOPR0892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3686" data-original-width="5184" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWStCxCYPuUeMP7GR0iUPDm2I1QHiPYSumUOe33S_DXOsjwAEel_FTI5uuRW75Km7ZouOkJ0AEOlymbYXjzDUAgm9Zs1nys5yU2UuApHN3izg_cbRYDZFTC3vm9E2qBV0PGuWFe80dj265SxRBbqRbzYi5D0Gp_u_bZiysVJ78QDtrwiBzuSrv_EW1r4/w640-h456/GOPR0892.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We decided to be brave enough to fly the drone to get some aerial shots. Landing it safely would be tricky as we'd have no way to quickly stop the boat if it all wen wring. Happily it went to plan!</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rKArgx4DRdSZ4HriMWGgg0P28BHJl_Cy-EKaLt5JDRyMubrs6ROgaPhErB0eWsIZ4tMYJPgG1hQI62g4xCNgG7UJDPykInBOJeVE0D9HlcQ19PfwCiGU2LuSezo8a8KFoZ5xHPMRKtbnta2oiY4yf94SoLv-wYsS1SVuZKL3daOvEub8BeXTB8VG8QY/s3153/FILE00752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1399" data-original-width="3153" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rKArgx4DRdSZ4HriMWGgg0P28BHJl_Cy-EKaLt5JDRyMubrs6ROgaPhErB0eWsIZ4tMYJPgG1hQI62g4xCNgG7UJDPykInBOJeVE0D9HlcQ19PfwCiGU2LuSezo8a8KFoZ5xHPMRKtbnta2oiY4yf94SoLv-wYsS1SVuZKL3daOvEub8BeXTB8VG8QY/w640-h285/FILE00752.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IGCMShnI7euJEcT__yx_CYjmFAaBGYPM97k3_LHDcinbGa8bAK_vcZP9UEaDdWc5fl_vuKcl7JhL9GBBen7lk87KucYOJH4FFAZMZGeQwCF9dI27Pyya6ZDEcJR20YXo8P0m4P9TV3b7eY4x0zGAgWMicqMaMfBFw6i_iRZr0FcuHVbviEKr1r3lEzE/s3993/FILE00753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2246" data-original-width="3993" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IGCMShnI7euJEcT__yx_CYjmFAaBGYPM97k3_LHDcinbGa8bAK_vcZP9UEaDdWc5fl_vuKcl7JhL9GBBen7lk87KucYOJH4FFAZMZGeQwCF9dI27Pyya6ZDEcJR20YXo8P0m4P9TV3b7eY4x0zGAgWMicqMaMfBFw6i_iRZr0FcuHVbviEKr1r3lEzE/w640-h360/FILE00753.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EKIkuIG33L6ozpxf6Sr-1LJf2ySuAvbUnVNewwrtl5S-f0q41n-YK6vOs9vvRzkhDHmuRRvCMmt31LHlaqArNtS_P2e15t2b_u05BCovDKeVKJGPbzQ-eCOTFxieS2BmSuxE3KqxuUjyjd6W5v6GGAMwD4b1Ui3_l_pf2S4pqVcEGif8s-N9gjdA0ew/s3905/FILE00755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="3905" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EKIkuIG33L6ozpxf6Sr-1LJf2ySuAvbUnVNewwrtl5S-f0q41n-YK6vOs9vvRzkhDHmuRRvCMmt31LHlaqArNtS_P2e15t2b_u05BCovDKeVKJGPbzQ-eCOTFxieS2BmSuxE3KqxuUjyjd6W5v6GGAMwD4b1Ui3_l_pf2S4pqVcEGif8s-N9gjdA0ew/w640-h330/FILE00755.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3eJmxi-FQmgIU07gnMmkEp_pEgvq5AbduzIJT478PsITft9XP8X2IvCEWtPEQp4SCkjlwpdNKKm-b752cZU0lxc2SSoyxYn11BjdNX52aFGGw3fV2cmGtFXitwmszbXp65ao3kD1fssiITDF5-Xy2YM4Y2n3TNXVqxbTEHsh09dD-JWYqCz2q45KSAg/s3738/FILE00757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2052" data-original-width="3738" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3eJmxi-FQmgIU07gnMmkEp_pEgvq5AbduzIJT478PsITft9XP8X2IvCEWtPEQp4SCkjlwpdNKKm-b752cZU0lxc2SSoyxYn11BjdNX52aFGGw3fV2cmGtFXitwmszbXp65ao3kD1fssiITDF5-Xy2YM4Y2n3TNXVqxbTEHsh09dD-JWYqCz2q45KSAg/w640-h352/FILE00757.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSuxKS7eFCXm0e6wEzLReqtIH4--B6CvCVUhepCC0XIVxs1h_SRmQ4rj95fICiTW_EXP4CbkjmoGNe-NxTIwBk24ZmUB_V4cfJLXBrF_VRdwrVi2wGA6lKPQfIMd4oIgFJIYFuWtuSk3vlfmp4MlNzeG6og77p4wbHK5XpPFC8oLec450dBCl-2P7fYc/s2581/FILE00758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1459" data-original-width="2581" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSuxKS7eFCXm0e6wEzLReqtIH4--B6CvCVUhepCC0XIVxs1h_SRmQ4rj95fICiTW_EXP4CbkjmoGNe-NxTIwBk24ZmUB_V4cfJLXBrF_VRdwrVi2wGA6lKPQfIMd4oIgFJIYFuWtuSk3vlfmp4MlNzeG6og77p4wbHK5XpPFC8oLec450dBCl-2P7fYc/w640-h362/FILE00758.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">There's a very short video of the photoshoot here: <a href="https://youtu.be/oI54WjKdDwg?si=MJSpMeSMVPQiCB-x" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/oI54WjKdDwg?si=MJSpMeSMVPQiCB-x</a></span><p></p>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-62518695380134707252023-09-15T11:02:00.000+01:002023-09-15T11:02:12.228+01:00More light winds but Maunie has a clean bottom<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">After the excitement of the Ocean Globe Race start, we headed into Gosport for a couple of nights in the excellent Haslar Marina. The
stop-over gave us the chance to restock the galley and to use the amazing piece
of kit called the Boat Lift. This is a submersible platform into which you
motor the boat; two vertical columns, one either side, then move together to hold
her upright before a huge compressor fills ballast tanks with air to lift you
clear of the water.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbiN_IAEWnDmsK5OfwpYG-2qoNomVAGeBKZAjNSrV0KgVL9YjujHFoTo3awNDAjObaewbWwkIADQmkj7lPlfEG1GLM4XYfooptQaSxz7JrRoMpAzRkGhxjxfG0lywGg5ApDlMPD4Nixq5q4AxDjhm6p3WiFWjNLqTABKlqJd2KTD0U0nJtiEZtgQibC0/s2000/GOPR0862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbiN_IAEWnDmsK5OfwpYG-2qoNomVAGeBKZAjNSrV0KgVL9YjujHFoTo3awNDAjObaewbWwkIADQmkj7lPlfEG1GLM4XYfooptQaSxz7JrRoMpAzRkGhxjxfG0lywGg5ApDlMPD4Nixq5q4AxDjhm6p3WiFWjNLqTABKlqJd2KTD0U0nJtiEZtgQibC0/w640-h480/GOPR0862.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Once high and dry we watched Stuart and his assistant
meticulously pressure wash the weed, slime and barnacles from Maunie’s bottom;
anything washed off was gathered into a sump to be pumped through a filtering
system - an hour later the valves were opened and the ballast tanks filled to return
her to the water. The difference in boat speed is really noticeable - we get an
extra ½ to ¾ knot for the same engine speed!</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">From Gosport we took a while to honour a final request from Di's dearly departed dad, Brian. We scattered his ashes at Spithead, a place where, in 1953, his Royal Navy destroyer had taken part in the Spithead Review for Queen Elizabeth's coronation, so it's a fitting spot.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">After thinking about this lovely man with fond and happy memories, we hoisted the sails and had a nice beat westwards down the Solent (at last some decent wind - thanks, Dad!) We came to a nature reserve at Newtown on the Isle of Wight for a peaceful night on a
mooring before setting off with the following morning’s tide to Poole Harbour.
We flew the spinnaker for about half the passage, until the wind completely
died (again!) It’s the most wind-free cruise we’ve ever experienced.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We managed to secure a visitors berth in the Haven at Poole Yacht
Club, thanks to the super-helpful manager Stan, so had a lovely catch up with
Graham’s uncle and aunt, Laurie and Sue, who are members there. The following morning
dawned foggy but it quickly burned off to reveal a sunny day with enough breeze
to sail round to Swanage. It’s an open anchorage with moorings provided by the
sailing club and we dinghied ashore for a great walk out to the Anvil Point lighthouse.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0IUunNWfwNeBhgCbyXcT8G1XzHYJ6ch3EZmhlBRoOQMehlat5wCNYQZM0LRg0XBCaOMPbkWWRUXKiPhXtf5usYrQdXUN9y92n4DoCNdnK4C9C6uit3DE45MqfvE9oChR4-H1wQSlfMHuTccUWPl2Mt_dp4cjJjqm7TFRhysva77k9KNEjVZwhYjzne0/s2200/FILE00747%20lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="2200" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0IUunNWfwNeBhgCbyXcT8G1XzHYJ6ch3EZmhlBRoOQMehlat5wCNYQZM0LRg0XBCaOMPbkWWRUXKiPhXtf5usYrQdXUN9y92n4DoCNdnK4C9C6uit3DE45MqfvE9oChR4-H1wQSlfMHuTccUWPl2Mt_dp4cjJjqm7TFRhysva77k9KNEjVZwhYjzne0/w640-h298/FILE00747%20lr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CqDpl4ZNfAu9X0zo9fxB4xk87YS2_Ofq5D_x079O6yq6TWCGGbkOKvsqAR5mXHffVvohVfqQDkuQKFpcO_s-kvXlrwlEyXMExXuHUQStZVFWBPUMwO74UtaOpuZl30JYgWFoWUWi9nY4azgpVfTq2Y_wOTcCV4YPjG8574RiOBuxhK40jdpwirH6Mk0/s2000/GOPR0874%20lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CqDpl4ZNfAu9X0zo9fxB4xk87YS2_Ofq5D_x079O6yq6TWCGGbkOKvsqAR5mXHffVvohVfqQDkuQKFpcO_s-kvXlrwlEyXMExXuHUQStZVFWBPUMwO74UtaOpuZl30JYgWFoWUWi9nY4azgpVfTq2Y_wOTcCV4YPjG8574RiOBuxhK40jdpwirH6Mk0/w640-h480/GOPR0874%20lr.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beating past Old Harry Rocks</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8MQpiyCvKW_YiRw19X3qGy9NNRumgauepl-btL6w9UvAnJkxuMVRUZ6FJbqcg3yTahmmeuXvKssK6Fr-agft1KlxXpShvHOtvX8jiDSe9bXCEWMjlnSf4911SCtwXCS7bX5J4ZbOjqIHJr7F_8hSSJtYLDrrIJ4dx8sesuWU7ZTH15e8Fn0Ufz9VVDk/s3000/IMG_5235%20lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1245" data-original-width="3000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8MQpiyCvKW_YiRw19X3qGy9NNRumgauepl-btL6w9UvAnJkxuMVRUZ6FJbqcg3yTahmmeuXvKssK6Fr-agft1KlxXpShvHOtvX8jiDSe9bXCEWMjlnSf4911SCtwXCS7bX5J4ZbOjqIHJr7F_8hSSJtYLDrrIJ4dx8sesuWU7ZTH15e8Fn0Ufz9VVDk/w640-h266/IMG_5235%20lr.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Great Globe at Dulston Country Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9duUXXdgjPwIC5whDS_zROcDT_wJS6y87k4oWul05nI4f8McdiFNfCy4IO_-4nzXsaO9DzQgxg04lroKAzg7sumKLdNwSL23g_6vhBQ5cepFncJOghBTNIp4cOipX8x6KE5JdqQx3unI3XfsA1dtn_PJrggmGAteMQVZP_lomXCqeGLYHah84T46KbAo/s3000/IMG_5241%20lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="3000" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9duUXXdgjPwIC5whDS_zROcDT_wJS6y87k4oWul05nI4f8McdiFNfCy4IO_-4nzXsaO9DzQgxg04lroKAzg7sumKLdNwSL23g_6vhBQ5cepFncJOghBTNIp4cOipX8x6KE5JdqQx3unI3XfsA1dtn_PJrggmGAteMQVZP_lomXCqeGLYHah84T46KbAo/w640-h246/IMG_5241%20lr.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anvil Point lighthouse</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Today promises a little wind so we hope to be able to fly
the spinnaker round to Weymouth then we’ll head west around Portland Bill on
Saturday. We’re eying the forecast for next week with some caution – brisk SW’lies
are on the cards as something of a contrast.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-9425886647722515472023-09-11T08:12:00.000+01:002023-09-11T08:12:22.379+01:00And they're off - slowly!<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This hasn't been a good sailing year for us, so far. Graham's work has definitely been a factor, but the weather (no wind in June, lots of wind in July and August) has meant that Maunie hasn't moved much. However, we now have a 2-week break and, unusually for us, set off eastwards for the Solent.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We usually avoid the south coast sailing Mecca because of the crowds and high mooring prices but we had someone important to see. So we left Dartmouth on Friday to motor in glassy, windless conditions for an overnight stop in Lyme Regis.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAhYwubElgk5MoZyoysNKY80K3eHI17aYZG5cTiDS_Fygr_zL8zC9OKcXVxqvzmDUiSzKDSoNTsQFQwYrm39Cdi0dR3YTsAgxtc-fWuaRzfRUYirN_5xrQe5TxPB8rSMeoK8SI8ixrOLZEkSrwVTcPeewY6zBhf2Pe1l7Pj1Ix2svofUZ4fjAp7MywcA/s2100/FILE00725%20lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1181" data-original-width="2100" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAhYwubElgk5MoZyoysNKY80K3eHI17aYZG5cTiDS_Fygr_zL8zC9OKcXVxqvzmDUiSzKDSoNTsQFQwYrm39Cdi0dR3YTsAgxtc-fWuaRzfRUYirN_5xrQe5TxPB8rSMeoK8SI8ixrOLZEkSrwVTcPeewY6zBhf2Pe1l7Pj1Ix2svofUZ4fjAp7MywcA/w640-h360/FILE00725%20lr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Our progress was slower than we'd hoped - Maunie was moving at only about 80% of her normal speed so clearly her time on the mooring had attracted klingons on her hull. Graham jumped over the side with snorkel and scraper and removed weed and a surprising number of mussels and barnacles which definitely improved things but we'll be looking for an option to get the boat lifted for a proper pressure-wash before we go much further.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Saturday dawned equally calm but at least this allowed us to get a drone photo as we passed the Needles at the western tip of the Isle of Wight.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCgHanTnAfi5vcEah5ifxJ_q4zcN6H3xHa2WtNGDPW9hCerxaL63eARTn-gURPiYnDIhKZiGG-XV1rdub_k875HuIe9hA5F5Yj2awn2UgC48lfY8hlLu5mANDptenJ1xJn2X10-jrwFSL-icGXJmSAs2BM6EnJ4x_GHs70MqftFx2h7SkJJGDoEmxBB4/s2000/FILE00731%20lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="2000" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCgHanTnAfi5vcEah5ifxJ_q4zcN6H3xHa2WtNGDPW9hCerxaL63eARTn-gURPiYnDIhKZiGG-XV1rdub_k875HuIe9hA5F5Yj2awn2UgC48lfY8hlLu5mANDptenJ1xJn2X10-jrwFSL-icGXJmSAs2BM6EnJ4x_GHs70MqftFx2h7SkJJGDoEmxBB4/w640-h352/FILE00731%20lr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We arrived in darkness into Ocean Village Marina in Southampton, the very same place where we started and finished the Round Britain Challenge race 20 years ago. Our pontoon berth was right next to the boats we'd come to see; the following morning was to be the start of the Ocean Globe Race.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The OGR is a new round the world race, based on the old Whitbread Race of 50 years ago and featuring many of the original race boats including Pen Duick and the Swan 65 that Claire Francis skippered. Our old friend Fergus McDonald is taking part on a South African boat, a Swan 53, called Sterna. It was wonderful to see him and to be in the midst of the slightly chaotic start - we motored out with the fleet and followed them in very light conditions:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyGBRL4TkpM1B_C7iFs2n7K_uk_dxjHgpgyAsgBw4XGZCu3IJdOvp7DBPJpQqA66H6J1DzUwmkB2CIf4HR-MROiX0muJvby5QZRMTzF3lGOp20Syvl7tfHsuEmnlP5SgT_VQrNT8gCCPff1BK5dvYieLHGzslrzfTmXHUxnY7we5c0_5s2I2tsMgEc6c/s2000/IMG_0616%20lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1492" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyGBRL4TkpM1B_C7iFs2n7K_uk_dxjHgpgyAsgBw4XGZCu3IJdOvp7DBPJpQqA66H6J1DzUwmkB2CIf4HR-MROiX0muJvby5QZRMTzF3lGOp20Syvl7tfHsuEmnlP5SgT_VQrNT8gCCPff1BK5dvYieLHGzslrzfTmXHUxnY7we5c0_5s2I2tsMgEc6c/w478-h640/IMG_0616%20lr.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7d9-WOkdCQdhTaPZ7oHQoiV1iVQSestm-wUVcRga-9QlqIX8RBk8pnzAmnp1M7kVogqmNi70qQ3-9Zo37e-p2ArQRDcWgLTBI0pNc-w_HZSFCVSAmZ2pQtcA0N7zEf8rddfBCDJXYfNQaKrXOEaqAdK-gYdsj7eYN2i93gvUOi154HrjKthO3uhwE6M/s2000/IMG_0619%20lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1177" data-original-width="2000" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7d9-WOkdCQdhTaPZ7oHQoiV1iVQSestm-wUVcRga-9QlqIX8RBk8pnzAmnp1M7kVogqmNi70qQ3-9Zo37e-p2ArQRDcWgLTBI0pNc-w_HZSFCVSAmZ2pQtcA0N7zEf8rddfBCDJXYfNQaKrXOEaqAdK-gYdsj7eYN2i93gvUOi154HrjKthO3uhwE6M/w640-h376/IMG_0619%20lr.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fergus' boat, Sterna</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippAI7qSbHYvw0Y9OqxyNynOZTSKFmiGYMXYdTY28f6A6TFi_qjZfxb4WL0uoTl0C_bw5xsLHDf3dh-MFVJcvmE5RSQYf8G5vN2zFZaIbBoY68wElPtLrOeIfb_V3s2LeT988w0p-sXBq2wg5QvPzciW-a9GTj14Qin_1TNB597i5BwkorNyeraZi0mcM/s2000/IMG_0621%20lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="2000" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippAI7qSbHYvw0Y9OqxyNynOZTSKFmiGYMXYdTY28f6A6TFi_qjZfxb4WL0uoTl0C_bw5xsLHDf3dh-MFVJcvmE5RSQYf8G5vN2zFZaIbBoY68wElPtLrOeIfb_V3s2LeT988w0p-sXBq2wg5QvPzciW-a9GTj14Qin_1TNB597i5BwkorNyeraZi0mcM/w640-h386/IMG_0621%20lr.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The oldest (59) and youngest (23) crew members - Fergus and Aurora, who was at school with one of Fergus' daughters</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuYJ16ndeBdXKRD4bQ_xIKDyXdmiGQtEiVP_uxDfr4YQqEMtL-Ws-PSUCLsrjVZa7lmXDKeYJCUz429jmciMrF3kRNzqB3WVH_eIjwIG4I0HtwAhOv2eJU0Kq2YjD81lDLbUXsGaAqTudvlmMVJuwBWGsP2uRjP4vjQAW3UWdjyU0TdA_DA4MapF_Vi0/s2000/IMG_0629%20lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="2000" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuYJ16ndeBdXKRD4bQ_xIKDyXdmiGQtEiVP_uxDfr4YQqEMtL-Ws-PSUCLsrjVZa7lmXDKeYJCUz429jmciMrF3kRNzqB3WVH_eIjwIG4I0HtwAhOv2eJU0Kq2YjD81lDLbUXsGaAqTudvlmMVJuwBWGsP2uRjP4vjQAW3UWdjyU0TdA_DA4MapF_Vi0/w640-h338/IMG_0629%20lr.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If there was a prize for Best Dressed Crew</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDXllh93hlGoxODgkn2xdLwEIpyxo4G8ikHo21tdXWwJDzWblRh5H-n8auug9Pt3RVyZ7kzHaTScGT05b5fBO6k_6e9TyEsqnijezYHJASMIcYTgZ3LWZjZrrziWqgDBYPonUxJBH5JP4GRPAN7EWfc0gTMAQ8l4DwqaPUELtAUTJUmie_xZwuXSGCC0/s2000/IMG_0634%20lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="2000" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDXllh93hlGoxODgkn2xdLwEIpyxo4G8ikHo21tdXWwJDzWblRh5H-n8auug9Pt3RVyZ7kzHaTScGT05b5fBO6k_6e9TyEsqnijezYHJASMIcYTgZ3LWZjZrrziWqgDBYPonUxJBH5JP4GRPAN7EWfc0gTMAQ8l4DwqaPUELtAUTJUmie_xZwuXSGCC0/w640-h306/IMG_0634%20lr.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The all girl crew of Maiden</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fSPfj1X0j_6dVz0d0SjUGLiEJEmyA9BWB2y5DQZwSgikbc_2unfsFQhuhxKQaQnX69eNdyG2wdS0JHvQlMc7RJEqldr18mWWX2mjaKo4tTGJeTsdK_iRJTp96MbJCRbAQHwXQKPSdqLK3McciQ0uyRQMWqYtfiyjVFLjsvS1vfOovcD5IDds45_6ASc/s2000/IMG_0635%20lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="2000" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fSPfj1X0j_6dVz0d0SjUGLiEJEmyA9BWB2y5DQZwSgikbc_2unfsFQhuhxKQaQnX69eNdyG2wdS0JHvQlMc7RJEqldr18mWWX2mjaKo4tTGJeTsdK_iRJTp96MbJCRbAQHwXQKPSdqLK3McciQ0uyRQMWqYtfiyjVFLjsvS1vfOovcD5IDds45_6ASc/w640-h396/IMG_0635%20lr.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we motored down towards the start in wet conditions, we passed our old boat, Gentoo!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67aRrM4p0td6WFRniBOzdIiTem2ilUF9caFrjMGioM_uHevGcd-OtG3KEdLD-BT0mLCweY5Ond4iC4seUQX3ebBXGKwFhlPoQkN6J85bgw9yTOjuIxJmbMaWv0G4ScpmTUtGlOFFccdwUTaDwH-ku2AN7WKhENMJNKrCvzvh1ezA6Njpx41gibBy--k4/s2000/IMG_0651%20lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67aRrM4p0td6WFRniBOzdIiTem2ilUF9caFrjMGioM_uHevGcd-OtG3KEdLD-BT0mLCweY5Ond4iC4seUQX3ebBXGKwFhlPoQkN6J85bgw9yTOjuIxJmbMaWv0G4ScpmTUtGlOFFccdwUTaDwH-ku2AN7WKhENMJNKrCvzvh1ezA6Njpx41gibBy--k4/w640-h426/IMG_0651%20lr.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fergus' wife Helen (in the white cap) on another spectator boat</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8gbuHDyhguaGf-GmTy2UJXB09OmV0lHYsZQbNPyRuhvgVmCVuQOihQFpL0ondtTxgwYgPetctyexMyMyab4Eo0wXZv802K6tbQz4hf3e9m5bXWwzz7zXOhVa7N-fkA-YvHlA0aWNPfVb300duefZSXA09BqI0oIrPczu7An4G-9b1sKYLLNjvb0y1-Q/s2100/IMG_0661%20lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1283" data-original-width="2100" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8gbuHDyhguaGf-GmTy2UJXB09OmV0lHYsZQbNPyRuhvgVmCVuQOihQFpL0ondtTxgwYgPetctyexMyMyab4Eo0wXZv802K6tbQz4hf3e9m5bXWwzz7zXOhVa7N-fkA-YvHlA0aWNPfVb300duefZSXA09BqI0oIrPczu7An4G-9b1sKYLLNjvb0y1-Q/w640-h392/IMG_0661%20lr.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A slow start under spinnaker</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHYhTtoP3WR_LNwUHFYiQh5Tygha08jItR-x0hC0IJlV4c_Ws2LDcou1Qwgfnm7aCJKbr2wOQkWLiMgGDe4LDzOQrQAK0g-uQDa7wrzdKN1ddJ16au_zTefRIoVvN42HOmymcPa5GC-IUNvLF68YwVBdA2UL649Qrf1K6Guqe1qVk6Cyy3Amakpaih4U/s2100/IMG_0669%20lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="2100" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHYhTtoP3WR_LNwUHFYiQh5Tygha08jItR-x0hC0IJlV4c_Ws2LDcou1Qwgfnm7aCJKbr2wOQkWLiMgGDe4LDzOQrQAK0g-uQDa7wrzdKN1ddJ16au_zTefRIoVvN42HOmymcPa5GC-IUNvLF68YwVBdA2UL649Qrf1K6Guqe1qVk6Cyy3Amakpaih4U/w640-h426/IMG_0669%20lr.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fergus contemplating the tidal challenges ahead - the tide would turn against them a couple of hours after the start</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OLFgluXDYGhKZ8VROvfGIKpy_wGIbxrwBKjL-5ga2P-eg5oVLVug78Zm3HiWGHA6PatgegEqS8UZhetSj19a2wXvu55FmlRvF6zXPUbsPwpLUcngM4txO01YVzD_8D2rB_5u6FZlg-UoozRqwwYCHTD_gtTWNs5ovT-gToj8Z6Fxyy61W90K5DcDgPs/s2000/IMG_0673%20lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1585" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OLFgluXDYGhKZ8VROvfGIKpy_wGIbxrwBKjL-5ga2P-eg5oVLVug78Zm3HiWGHA6PatgegEqS8UZhetSj19a2wXvu55FmlRvF6zXPUbsPwpLUcngM4txO01YVzD_8D2rB_5u6FZlg-UoozRqwwYCHTD_gtTWNs5ovT-gToj8Z6Fxyy61W90K5DcDgPs/w508-h640/IMG_0673%20lr.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03WmyNSF7PiCGqZ8wkN0WASIKxAJoFMXx8NqAbhWrUeVxwO93DuRf6qKrlC7s66lwiTDeocBLuVAg2SZQYmWINYLE0pz2flw0PbNCEkVE4CYMxYo1RdhNydCkUYD_C1b7YOdIuQuOKgErX2DP1NmyUnczvBQMtPTztZQcNR5YyBpqFWWIHY7h0QocnlI/s2000/IMG_0674%20lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="2000" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03WmyNSF7PiCGqZ8wkN0WASIKxAJoFMXx8NqAbhWrUeVxwO93DuRf6qKrlC7s66lwiTDeocBLuVAg2SZQYmWINYLE0pz2flw0PbNCEkVE4CYMxYo1RdhNydCkUYD_C1b7YOdIuQuOKgErX2DP1NmyUnczvBQMtPTztZQcNR5YyBpqFWWIHY7h0QocnlI/w640-h374/IMG_0674%20lr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">There's a little video of the day here : <a href="https://youtu.be/LCUNxJ63BzI?si=lNQf5vCZu8ta-cYx">https://youtu.be/LCUNxJ63BzI?si=lNQf5vCZu8ta-cYx</a></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Thankfully the breeze did materialise enough to allow the boats to beat the tide (we thought they might have to anchor at one point!) and they are now off on the first leg to Cape Town.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-71006594656437540392023-06-24T17:42:00.001+01:002023-06-24T22:29:46.327+01:00Dinghy McDingface has a new look<p><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2016, back in New Zealand, we replaced Maunie's old and leaking dinghy with a brand new one - a French-made Zodiac. This was about the time of the <i>Boaty McBoatface</i> story (where the British Antarctic Survey rashly and hilariously decided to let the British Public vote for a name for its new exploration vessel that subsequently became the <i>Sir David Attenborough)</i>, so Maunie's new boat became <i>Dinghy McDingface</i>, or DMD for short.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwj9JVIOJ1LI6tHoGLRy-mcJzhoxE7F7oM5alIz2x3qBbPWiW7mk0MnwklTwzA5kgIQAKo-EcPOsHQgn1MSTtr6xf9xvJYE8fRhmxgZg-6gu4dpvQjhRZnZNprEYUbQCDzz_nb-KkFmlXL-OZgL_FrcnjK5Y4wB7rfjSsV8lZGuo-P0uiE9HTZbV5dwQU/s800/P1020619%20(800x600).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwj9JVIOJ1LI6tHoGLRy-mcJzhoxE7F7oM5alIz2x3qBbPWiW7mk0MnwklTwzA5kgIQAKo-EcPOsHQgn1MSTtr6xf9xvJYE8fRhmxgZg-6gu4dpvQjhRZnZNprEYUbQCDzz_nb-KkFmlXL-OZgL_FrcnjK5Y4wB7rfjSsV8lZGuo-P0uiE9HTZbV5dwQU/w640-h480/P1020619%20(800x600).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The original story of the launch can be found <a href="https://maunieofardwall.blogspot.com/2016/04/i-name-this-ship.html" target="_blank">here</a></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Though the boat worked really well we soon began to realise that its build quality wasn't great and the PVC tubes began to degrade quite alarmingly in the fierce Pacific sunshine. Not quite as alarmingly as the storage cover, though, which seemed to dissolve before our eyes under the glare of UV light, so a complaint to Zodiac resulted in their sending us a replacement which we then covered with Sunbrella acrylic to make it last.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZkZcURdI96VBRbtFVToiFxebYKPpC0QY8ni-0MkZ-SeXSwS3xWbfNGEq-ZH6hIbulNghKytTdXuM39dJq8wnKH5QiY2gnTDDJvJNKRFRQElf9E1cg1FAMLuHiLuUu_DMuLTWHUfRwbTvSlioHtantqcYfrF6yXxI14ZQzu-gbliYMP-P2tjUud7Oyk4/s640/P1050538%20(880x495).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZkZcURdI96VBRbtFVToiFxebYKPpC0QY8ni-0MkZ-SeXSwS3xWbfNGEq-ZH6hIbulNghKytTdXuM39dJq8wnKH5QiY2gnTDDJvJNKRFRQElf9E1cg1FAMLuHiLuUu_DMuLTWHUfRwbTvSlioHtantqcYfrF6yXxI14ZQzu-gbliYMP-P2tjUud7Oyk4/w640-h360/P1050538%20(880x495).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making a new cover for the cover in Australia</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ea-DoDJMSiz7JkG2BUnR4vewLJUMXFvNXxWSEgNTp7q3V93mp0kXqi5wo35d60vcgd4a0s-psNbc9e8M_bQhmnidOfJhYL17VIZ5RBvMQW5MAVC1CH5ySaKxGp2UuaBkeY_OeBmFphHM7ldRFZkE7hHpQ4BJsoukf3Fzl21LNhP0XYcI0J9CoVCOOCM/s880/P1050539%20(674x880).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="674" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ea-DoDJMSiz7JkG2BUnR4vewLJUMXFvNXxWSEgNTp7q3V93mp0kXqi5wo35d60vcgd4a0s-psNbc9e8M_bQhmnidOfJhYL17VIZ5RBvMQW5MAVC1CH5ySaKxGp2UuaBkeY_OeBmFphHM7ldRFZkE7hHpQ4BJsoukf3Fzl21LNhP0XYcI0J9CoVCOOCM/w490-h640/P1050539%20(674x880).jpg" width="490" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">By the end of last year the boat was no longer useable, leaking both water and air and with the safety barrier between the two air chambers leaking as well. Clearly it was time for a change but our dilemma was that the hard-hull, folding-transom design was just perfect for Maunie's foredeck and, having gone to all the effort of making the cover, it would be a waste, not to mention an environmental disaster, to throw it all away.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Thankfully there's a brilliant business near Dartmouth called Tilley Inflatables which specialises in re-tubing and repairing inflatables. Mike Tilley</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> has taken the business on from his father and he had a good look at the boat, made a few "mmm, looks tricky" noises but agreed that the old tubes were beyond repair and he could replace them in Hypalon - a much higher quality material far more resistant to UV than PVC. It wasn't a cheap option - costing more than a brand new Zodiac - but we decided to go for the re-build. It gave us the option to move to a more, ahem, eye-catching colour scheme and Mike did some great work to re-position the lifting handles which, in the original design, were stupidly placed right where the tubes folded so were coming unstuck. We also cleaned up the design, to remove unnecessary</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> extra handles and fittings, and the old tubes could be sent to be recycled.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Yesterday Graham collected it and launched at Darthaven.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTPCGf4OcF0N6byYrK0eozHe9sF9GLvGRjmiUW7QqcPGZAS-6QrqjDkwJNlar1MLKLgC14RCZqo_C74x9Fd9EUatZQrpTobwkKcCanJIy05VN4xsp7MRkZ4ZoDWIvoc4NNuVoDfb2pCeIr9hfwvYjIvU9UFHLi5Ymy5PuCGWLWqkGE-U7SHC8XjVwnCg/s2016/new%20ding%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTPCGf4OcF0N6byYrK0eozHe9sF9GLvGRjmiUW7QqcPGZAS-6QrqjDkwJNlar1MLKLgC14RCZqo_C74x9Fd9EUatZQrpTobwkKcCanJIy05VN4xsp7MRkZ4ZoDWIvoc4NNuVoDfb2pCeIr9hfwvYjIvU9UFHLi5Ymy5PuCGWLWqkGE-U7SHC8XjVwnCg/w480-h640/new%20ding%201.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sneaky reveal as it's unpacked </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixElgvelk5PF6547GiqfUfNUJ3UFvcMLdU7BR2yNOIvtevXCGTZIz8hBoqkZKJCz1dhpvjF5fgNfMFa7vqRhknFfNJ1BRnul0NDuikk4CXIIa8yXeLJJntFPKp8qsCYuQyyBG8f794zTFwtHIYTRPKjejDFfwXDef_oQtftaNu5jNdYg3BGnmu4JboSLs/s2016/new%20ding%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixElgvelk5PF6547GiqfUfNUJ3UFvcMLdU7BR2yNOIvtevXCGTZIz8hBoqkZKJCz1dhpvjF5fgNfMFa7vqRhknFfNJ1BRnul0NDuikk4CXIIa8yXeLJJntFPKp8qsCYuQyyBG8f794zTFwtHIYTRPKjejDFfwXDef_oQtftaNu5jNdYg3BGnmu4JboSLs/w480-h640/new%20ding%202.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No chance of not spotting that on a crowded pontoon!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicV7qreHEw5AtzW6ty3gPzx2-nBHBhwgP8CdRVOdwK0L31M6_HjezXA4r9ysYuiJ2nP2Wx9Bs9A787xXQKc3DMYFy6xPXU6LcOLdp5ar2XgOGAgDwQ8msWqrS6NFrcDeaD_h9zqxbxlia5gneNcTAa2gHoUdnhZpentlPJLPgD1puCTCOtca8JsdeG4Z4/s2016/new%20ding%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicV7qreHEw5AtzW6ty3gPzx2-nBHBhwgP8CdRVOdwK0L31M6_HjezXA4r9ysYuiJ2nP2Wx9Bs9A787xXQKc3DMYFy6xPXU6LcOLdp5ar2XgOGAgDwQ8msWqrS6NFrcDeaD_h9zqxbxlia5gneNcTAa2gHoUdnhZpentlPJLPgD1puCTCOtca8JsdeG4Z4/w480-h640/new%20ding%203.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New look, vs the original, shown below on its launch day:</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET-ob6W3UIg5Q90rOgJHsRz5gbdmjCecT-gwtH5b1npU66wXcJiX6Moy5Ee-bvozkLznS5uwthSynDmZ3EkxUZCkmoZajAs2aaYd9UkdEdO7lgfJR7y87IneoQAQBV-nG6OrP5sVf_NpWnsU2fQJ7ssQc8rDtnDIOyfJqBv4y4cKWaChRD2QWlmvjeBw/s800/P1020623%20(600x800).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET-ob6W3UIg5Q90rOgJHsRz5gbdmjCecT-gwtH5b1npU66wXcJiX6Moy5Ee-bvozkLznS5uwthSynDmZ3EkxUZCkmoZajAs2aaYd9UkdEdO7lgfJR7y87IneoQAQBV-nG6OrP5sVf_NpWnsU2fQJ7ssQc8rDtnDIOyfJqBv4y4cKWaChRD2QWlmvjeBw/w480-h640/P1020623%20(600x800).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-fu7D18wZhRFTAv3xpVen_h8uKS06KI_8-fZHyZJBwRU2RrmIBqGGv2owHXHzzIbrraTuW5Y9z3Rt8iYkBeBW5r0Qaha6RKoDtc5aY9SgdAAJH_KL01wxwe92mQZIv6qBfh3TSGe1GOHjzjrABpoIpjmK8JPsMmm26CK3EHjkDJKEc8itNgHlkGKHCE/s2016/new%20ding%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-fu7D18wZhRFTAv3xpVen_h8uKS06KI_8-fZHyZJBwRU2RrmIBqGGv2owHXHzzIbrraTuW5Y9z3Rt8iYkBeBW5r0Qaha6RKoDtc5aY9SgdAAJH_KL01wxwe92mQZIv6qBfh3TSGe1GOHjzjrABpoIpjmK8JPsMmm26CK3EHjkDJKEc8itNgHlkGKHCE/w640-h480/new%20ding%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIH7q0DTrH4yWLtrYdvzr30_JDEEeVJ1PdvMn3Mcn-CZ7DFpmCo0_4RvRe9BWCOP3AgwIWaMq8mnJpz124dTav-kNI9uOHC5mXE0tDuO3nlhtYloz0hpRzl-c9jZn2sZqkbBZxlzN-TWv-xNprh8h_nvzMHxC1q91V_lodrEihCpgLdssKMGA26Lv0Mro/s2016/new%20ding%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKiwvwrYez605ss0EFfUv4jlY6u7fl4ML1AoEDKxtzOm9BLMb9tVi8V48xCo4gH91BKVFhiMK6WSvCQzrZ5f2OF3xei__DwjsX_CGBcWjyAsIBF1Je48eNozotPX53nl4Q0Ipwc7N9QQSPcIDuHhBgG8V0dy38w3wRwejrB8rp8jQ1XmU-uaVP5C8Abk/s2016/new%20ding%205.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKiwvwrYez605ss0EFfUv4jlY6u7fl4ML1AoEDKxtzOm9BLMb9tVi8V48xCo4gH91BKVFhiMK6WSvCQzrZ5f2OF3xei__DwjsX_CGBcWjyAsIBF1Je48eNozotPX53nl4Q0Ipwc7N9QQSPcIDuHhBgG8V0dy38w3wRwejrB8rp8jQ1XmU-uaVP5C8Abk/w480-h640/new%20ding%205.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dusty cover needs a bit of a clean but DMD is now reunited with the mothership</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We are really pleased with how it's worked and it's great to know that we have given the boat a new (and hopefully long) life. </span><p></p><br />Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-65470016841801238202023-06-18T21:34:00.000+01:002023-06-18T21:34:35.322+01:00Big boats but very little wind<p><span style="font-family: arial;">The dominant high pressure may be bringing us hot, dry weather but it also means that there is precious little wind to be found just at the moment. However, we've just had a lovely long weekend aboard Maunie and a few vessels that we met certainly made things interesting, even if the sailing was pretty tame.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3-lGIqw2TUiTHi2Z4n6VCVPxaxQzLcWbuyvvmcpvWGbY3U-cnIM4Q-a7RzREVP8Uf_mkT_7zITdK6vcB_pqf_2nUBJK0FHSc3pgK38ZkyGeeK3-y6JLbKa-kIG9hc2AJhbwLiM9r7ELxhHQ70ltnk0a0O5_Y4dAxRy6-eyGstJS1lw7mpShknJ4C/s3454/IMG_4881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3454" data-original-width="2364" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3-lGIqw2TUiTHi2Z4n6VCVPxaxQzLcWbuyvvmcpvWGbY3U-cnIM4Q-a7RzREVP8Uf_mkT_7zITdK6vcB_pqf_2nUBJK0FHSc3pgK38ZkyGeeK3-y6JLbKa-kIG9hc2AJhbwLiM9r7ELxhHQ70ltnk0a0O5_Y4dAxRy6-eyGstJS1lw7mpShknJ4C/w438-h640/IMG_4881.JPG" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76ZRjRca3mnKpF2h0lythcD4V9Pevm-8FZFldqIkxep_1d7p0NVZBrBy3M1xA5ZKqLA4b81f9dLwQ5_ih-JuDmah0pqdLEUlpQa-PAY8oNcHP8tDl9h6oV8k2S5VaBD0PpQbh-Xe-Z6d3VqxSMjYoO2Esf0HyhrnWNWQmIslJboNWi0vXJMGO04re/s4032/IMG_4874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76ZRjRca3mnKpF2h0lythcD4V9Pevm-8FZFldqIkxep_1d7p0NVZBrBy3M1xA5ZKqLA4b81f9dLwQ5_ih-JuDmah0pqdLEUlpQa-PAY8oNcHP8tDl9h6oV8k2S5VaBD0PpQbh-Xe-Z6d3VqxSMjYoO2Esf0HyhrnWNWQmIslJboNWi0vXJMGO04re/w640-h480/IMG_4874.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AsS9_Wm8Bpaj31BEyOr70n0Ci4i8RBao3LwoNRdHOe_4S2IY45k-eFytVL4t_55nZHazLqZ9KgYRaWj1UZcwrnqOd10ME-8cg7Me86k54q3MX0Ml2W3C4z3nwmIgry_TkEEHgHc8a9i4z7uWCBzfDujbocenNMKDrfJcNJZXolHWxlfYUTbhJoOF/s4032/IMG_4878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AsS9_Wm8Bpaj31BEyOr70n0Ci4i8RBao3LwoNRdHOe_4S2IY45k-eFytVL4t_55nZHazLqZ9KgYRaWj1UZcwrnqOd10ME-8cg7Me86k54q3MX0Ml2W3C4z3nwmIgry_TkEEHgHc8a9i4z7uWCBzfDujbocenNMKDrfJcNJZXolHWxlfYUTbhJoOF/w640-h480/IMG_4878.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcZrwbJ8I-OmrobZJBuMUyrqNjV794wOHJQ8_6xQn0mLSvvAcoitBvVwghAIHqrbEC54hmbfbYPOVyJDgdRHLTqoyYx5piPKTZjVjjBp1eA5EqJRdckZQVCOIClPj6HKcCrl-T11RrelJk01-0YHmGayD8LdVIXIPLZofVV2dRUv7Ga66fYGPGp2E/s3925/IMG_4879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="3925" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcZrwbJ8I-OmrobZJBuMUyrqNjV794wOHJQ8_6xQn0mLSvvAcoitBvVwghAIHqrbEC54hmbfbYPOVyJDgdRHLTqoyYx5piPKTZjVjjBp1eA5EqJRdckZQVCOIClPj6HKcCrl-T11RrelJk01-0YHmGayD8LdVIXIPLZofVV2dRUv7Ga66fYGPGp2E/w640-h428/IMG_4879.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">This was the view on the River Dart on Thursday evening - a fleet of 'traditional' superyachts anchored after the first leg of a race series called the Richard Mille Cup. Richard Mille (I had to look this up) is a brand of designer watches for people who think it's socially acceptable casually to strap a timepiece that costs more than a boat to their wrists. More than a very flash boat, actually; the cheapest model comes in at a mere $84,000 and most sell for about $200,000.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Anyway, forgetting the social injustices of superyachts and their owners for a moment; the star of the show was Adix, a 286 footer built in 1984, currently valued at about $25M and owned by a Spanish Billionaire Jaime Botin, Chairman of Groupo Santander. Senor Botin is clearly a man of taste to buy such a yacht but in 2020 he was charged and sentenced to 18 months in jail after attempting to smuggle a Picasso painting out of Spain aboard the boat. Sorry, I forgot to forget the social injustices of superyachts and their owners for a moment there. Anyway this is a photo from Superyacht Times of Adix, enjoying more wind that she did this week.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx2ryIWUdtM9ThzuKZe-uz6pPUTThH0rYbjAWR0-AinGtMYTmHBEnN5yXFIkK_0G7-z9y9sX4Ahf9OC-S5gxUBbradtPupUP40EcYB6HOPuRefe3m7sDqcM7dxDpj6WcRHfu2SvppWKCmmmFEg1dlULcd9GKou-im94oBR11mcO5uYCCmn1piMVlI/s1117/Adix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1117" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx2ryIWUdtM9ThzuKZe-uz6pPUTThH0rYbjAWR0-AinGtMYTmHBEnN5yXFIkK_0G7-z9y9sX4Ahf9OC-S5gxUBbradtPupUP40EcYB6HOPuRefe3m7sDqcM7dxDpj6WcRHfu2SvppWKCmmmFEg1dlULcd9GKou-im94oBR11mcO5uYCCmn1piMVlI/w640-h424/Adix.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Back aboard the more modestly priced Maunie, we had a motor passage in calm waters west past Salcombe then a lovely couple of hours with the Parasailor flying.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpO7vYodK3XLGRNymGTru1vdTDiMS09UaRuCcxj6e3Rb7vHJ4qUyNBLZAZhKYPOP-6SXQXZjNfEJeyh2zDw2mKX97Vf1WCtl9OJnqLOpGx9qG2SrKZVQIK95h8vYWUseAjhaIX2Zbf2Rwhy-RQ3KELDaZfhLuacskh2XXPZ6wtv3DW2LlIGMYyqu2/s4032/IMG_4889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpO7vYodK3XLGRNymGTru1vdTDiMS09UaRuCcxj6e3Rb7vHJ4qUyNBLZAZhKYPOP-6SXQXZjNfEJeyh2zDw2mKX97Vf1WCtl9OJnqLOpGx9qG2SrKZVQIK95h8vYWUseAjhaIX2Zbf2Rwhy-RQ3KELDaZfhLuacskh2XXPZ6wtv3DW2LlIGMYyqu2/w480-h640/IMG_4889.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">We arrived at the River Yealm mid-afternoon and enjoyed a relaxed night on the visitors' pontoon, chatting to the crews of neighbouring yachts. As the light was beginning to fail, a charter yacht with a father and his two teenage kids aboard rafted alongside us; unfortunately when they left at 08.00 the following morning the fast-running current got the better of their inexperience and they nearly wrapped their boat around Maunie's stern. Thankfully there was no damage, apart from their pride, but it very nearly went very wrong indeed.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We waited for favourable tide to help us back towards Dartmouth so spend the rest of the morning relaxing and doing a few little jobs that we somehow never seem to get around to. Vital things, like relabelling the halyard clutches so that crews unfamiliar with the boat can find the right rope easily.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iho0pIhZ-r4KdJO2NTwoFi_clCaaW46UFnxjLKaFk7-jfR8vnMPsZcqYxpsIyg5VvtLmkOXN6i-1D9Z3MP8juZcqIk3jJ-GVtfqMpqj9Qv8hU9goGSt3WSwfvWmpDhoeP6KH1LsjbI65QYC5U1IDbr4r7ifCBXrmYb_NXL7JjF_h-XMfIKJQsUZS/s4032/IMG_4897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iho0pIhZ-r4KdJO2NTwoFi_clCaaW46UFnxjLKaFk7-jfR8vnMPsZcqYxpsIyg5VvtLmkOXN6i-1D9Z3MP8juZcqIk3jJ-GVtfqMpqj9Qv8hU9goGSt3WSwfvWmpDhoeP6KH1LsjbI65QYC5U1IDbr4r7ifCBXrmYb_NXL7JjF_h-XMfIKJQsUZS/w640-h480/IMG_4897.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LBFOwYf16Eh1Lawm1gYs0Yf8Ajg7ZyPRytNdMDD7NuxmM23qOxx1HXUozW2ICgBFLHGmaJgbyK5s6RlZIFhTHth4pEHSTYXExCk9YVd8p18j_rJ8sKlOq2IsYP1N88jSE70uU_633Jwxal_roePCnfZpMkCV32O85UKaCmCMiorS0RpAkoBr7tEj/s4032/IMG_4898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LBFOwYf16Eh1Lawm1gYs0Yf8Ajg7ZyPRytNdMDD7NuxmM23qOxx1HXUozW2ICgBFLHGmaJgbyK5s6RlZIFhTHth4pEHSTYXExCk9YVd8p18j_rJ8sKlOq2IsYP1N88jSE70uU_633Jwxal_roePCnfZpMkCV32O85UKaCmCMiorS0RpAkoBr7tEj/w640-h480/IMG_4898.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nautical terms that all mean something important!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Unfortunately our return passage was all under engine as the wind never rose more than about 4 knots. At least we had about 2 knots of favourable tide scooting us around Start Point and, as we headed in towards the Dart, we had another Big and Expensive Vessel encounter:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLEeAFgmHgZ8oAtknUI_Ge-iz6UrW3wawLLSqCFk8ilXoRptCtTCFoJha3I7VVj4NovyBXcdRObXYuahbulYOJpPz_SwvcSmWqG4cYUMCpkY7PPzRmcRhhvM9EZVy_mDIZBnJRoQGEMJzyRqr30J77j90IyLPzyo91ynzAM6KwV8OfqdESjAv2OxB/s4032/IMG_4901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLEeAFgmHgZ8oAtknUI_Ge-iz6UrW3wawLLSqCFk8ilXoRptCtTCFoJha3I7VVj4NovyBXcdRObXYuahbulYOJpPz_SwvcSmWqG4cYUMCpkY7PPzRmcRhhvM9EZVy_mDIZBnJRoQGEMJzyRqr30J77j90IyLPzyo91ynzAM6KwV8OfqdESjAv2OxB/w640-h480/IMG_4901.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This is a ship called The World where wealthy folk who don't buy superyachts instead buy a suite on board and then join the ship wherever, and for as long, as they fancy. We first saw her in Sydney Harbour and then again in Falmouth where she was temporarily laid up during the Covid crisis.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Overall, a very pleasant weekend on the water - just hope for some wind next time!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /></span></p>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-11267643537928138782023-05-18T17:29:00.000+01:002023-05-18T17:29:23.001+01:00The 2023 season begins<p> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">After the usual fun of winter maintenance jobs (which, to be fair, were fewer than in previous years), we had a very smooth relaunch on the 24th April. It was an early start to catch the tide but Maunie was the first boat in (of about 5 that morning) and we had glorious, if chilly, sunshine.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqcsN27peUZ_HEawVqluPlMbLovxFtxqlwrRw5rJmCnQx28Gv_BXiyNsWrABamg1QM8dzIuG-WGufEuPjHqkPvzPcF8jTfJQVmtds6zxWBI3krEkdd7YvZhxWAGdOUR2XmkoQBUZZNUT0qvvNvAmpq8FwFaIrILJDJseAEVSYx1iVTpc40DL2Vlrx/s1920/vlcsnap-2023-05-18-16h57m00s696.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqcsN27peUZ_HEawVqluPlMbLovxFtxqlwrRw5rJmCnQx28Gv_BXiyNsWrABamg1QM8dzIuG-WGufEuPjHqkPvzPcF8jTfJQVmtds6zxWBI3krEkdd7YvZhxWAGdOUR2XmkoQBUZZNUT0qvvNvAmpq8FwFaIrILJDJseAEVSYx1iVTpc40DL2Vlrx/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2023-05-18-16h57m00s696.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTxkz_abX1pLDwb3ZfvoLws25UY6WynEUxS5nGbpf0Kybxvqx1pChDl6TRf5H_AXiOF14d2DoFfw-3BikSvC-pZsAYvObZ5AhGTnbN1Ciwptj9ANVAmyoPGiH2Q_MIDtUQHbN2fluaM6ACrtfGhsRt0aA2CKr3710xMtRrADYy0HrQzExgYw6AU8x/s1920/vlcsnap-2023-05-18-17h00m07s315.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTxkz_abX1pLDwb3ZfvoLws25UY6WynEUxS5nGbpf0Kybxvqx1pChDl6TRf5H_AXiOF14d2DoFfw-3BikSvC-pZsAYvObZ5AhGTnbN1Ciwptj9ANVAmyoPGiH2Q_MIDtUQHbN2fluaM6ACrtfGhsRt0aA2CKr3710xMtRrADYy0HrQzExgYw6AU8x/w640-h360/vlcsnap-2023-05-18-17h00m07s315.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">There's a short video of it all here: <a href="https://youtu.be/z-SK36Y2I_E" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/z-SK36Y2I_E</a></span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Since then, we've been aboard for a couple of long weekends; we had a good shakedown sail a couple of weeks ago and, today, introduced the next generation of Maunie crew to the delights of messing about on the River Dart. Our niece Amy, herself once a regular crew in our various boats from the age of about nine and into her late teens, is now all grown up with two young boys of her own (it makes us feel old, but there we are). She and her husband Joe are currently on holiday with her parents only a few miles from Dartmouth, so they joined us aboard for a gentle motor up the the river for a picnic lunch in the cockpit at Dittisham.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">They arrived in style on the Dart Valley steam train and, once Benjamin (aged 3) got over the initial fears over the impending life as cabin boy, we had a lovely day together. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZr-fW2JOisZkasiGEcy7Stvjkbb4rFUf4AfSbJ7pV01LCc_ZyGmfeKYhjVal6umjzUQqRxaaD93otzZBTpicTOtrtO1D04_URl2q9p8oqYL3jRtQvWlABFaAu4LYSwlS1gsbdK90WxtpKDCtL5ZcX28qXdl1NokQDoyAya12eWO1VQNi0H0umP0I/s4890/GOPR0618%20crop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3051" data-original-width="4890" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZr-fW2JOisZkasiGEcy7Stvjkbb4rFUf4AfSbJ7pV01LCc_ZyGmfeKYhjVal6umjzUQqRxaaD93otzZBTpicTOtrtO1D04_URl2q9p8oqYL3jRtQvWlABFaAu4LYSwlS1gsbdK90WxtpKDCtL5ZcX28qXdl1NokQDoyAya12eWO1VQNi0H0umP0I/w640-h400/GOPR0618%20crop.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Meanwhile Charlie, aged just 6 months, approved of the sleeping arrangements in the mid-cabin :</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqmoQjQMgxsxytgs53Ps_RbvM_8_y_f7RNr4AA85U_KHa8RF-w-LXcYoITwf2Y5fRI_uWv_YInZYvVLtYtzR25rjPv2ZUGDV-aJfT9YiFyX5BHNtGkmTm7F_9T2-uE8jTl94ufcL8C8eBqhJtCJe77_j4tMS_x0wKAnSAV_YLFnV1QQ3udxSZkcJs/s4442/GOPR0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3001" data-original-width="4442" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqmoQjQMgxsxytgs53Ps_RbvM_8_y_f7RNr4AA85U_KHa8RF-w-LXcYoITwf2Y5fRI_uWv_YInZYvVLtYtzR25rjPv2ZUGDV-aJfT9YiFyX5BHNtGkmTm7F_9T2-uE8jTl94ufcL8C8eBqhJtCJe77_j4tMS_x0wKAnSAV_YLFnV1QQ3udxSZkcJs/w640-h432/GOPR0614.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The forecast looks very settled for the next couple of days but that means precious little wind. We might therefore partake in the delights of the Dartmouth Music Festival! Whatever happens, it's just great to be back afloat.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></div></div>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-72680547081120692172022-12-24T15:07:00.002+00:002022-12-24T15:30:03.837+00:00Using the right size hammer<p><span style="font-family: arial;">With Maunie safely ashore in Totnes, sheltering from the rain under her winter covers, we are able to go down to do a few winter maintenance jobs. The latest one tested Graham's nerve, it must be said.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Maunie's four-cylinder Yanmar diesel engine is, like the majority of boat motors, cooled indirectly. What this means is that the engine has a fresh water (with added antifreeze) cooling circuit just like that of a car. However, rather than using a radiator, there's a heat-exchanger that pumps cold sea water through bronze tubes that pass though the coolant in a header tank on the top of the engine. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiEKWd-N_euuCN6P8xpamJBf_t1Pb3U-UgrUCsQJheK1NZc_TLQFACtFuHzvYN5TfnDr-ZLet8sqwqw4GQATC9p84NY8givPG5dyRuuY07zO0otGxxGelc8IYJWCW2_YnKTomJXzpSEJLeK748qPqSl8a8bYoVZ9RQYTAyLUtKvQAVeqT7SldhNTG/s4000/Yanmar%204JH2E.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiEKWd-N_euuCN6P8xpamJBf_t1Pb3U-UgrUCsQJheK1NZc_TLQFACtFuHzvYN5TfnDr-ZLet8sqwqw4GQATC9p84NY8givPG5dyRuuY07zO0otGxxGelc8IYJWCW2_YnKTomJXzpSEJLeK748qPqSl8a8bYoVZ9RQYTAyLUtKvQAVeqT7SldhNTG/w640-h480/Yanmar%204JH2E.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The coolant header tank is at the very bottom of this photo</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Over time the heat exchanger tubes can become clogged with encrusted salt and other debris, reducing its efficiency and, possibly, resulting</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> in the engine overheating. It was time to take it apart for a good clean and, initially, the process seemed to be going pretty well. I had to remove the exhaust mixer elbow first, to allow access to the aft end cap and to allow the tube-stack to be pulled out. The exhaust elbow and end cap came off without a fight and it was good to find that the bore of the exhaust was nice and clean (they can get a build up of coke which restricts the gas flow).</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyiAj9Fpck9dck4KzgaPbe8ELM4pQgiWUDXGNS_8GPJcJWs4RVsIT-zdyxscM0cER1HvWv2NCLoiZl_SWe5c_-Lq0g3Llv7KWJ9aZRmgtXuhOuMCm5H4IVjMgKAt7V1x1w3maqmRd0UkI3pv6eDBmjY-pn7zsJGrw-j18SInb4uJiZRRGdR4SZBxw/s4032/HE%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyiAj9Fpck9dck4KzgaPbe8ELM4pQgiWUDXGNS_8GPJcJWs4RVsIT-zdyxscM0cER1HvWv2NCLoiZl_SWe5c_-Lq0g3Llv7KWJ9aZRmgtXuhOuMCm5H4IVjMgKAt7V1x1w3maqmRd0UkI3pv6eDBmjY-pn7zsJGrw-j18SInb4uJiZRRGdR4SZBxw/w640-h480/HE%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flow and return sea water pipes removed at the back of the heat exchanger</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkL3IHn3R8BEenI4sEEPit6F5Y2fLHlLJWQ25xsVYcHoKwc8dlujGvlT17ieldJhM3EXPVPbLUO52jdlKFGV4f4bj32Y5pj4IRd9mn3VH5emHDW-jwdehelgyKicV0OBKYgtKkyjid5oHNuwjk2y1tiCgNIaAhblnxLfjCh13kqyUfqKROX9ohEsn/s2388/HE%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2388" data-original-width="2116" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkL3IHn3R8BEenI4sEEPit6F5Y2fLHlLJWQ25xsVYcHoKwc8dlujGvlT17ieldJhM3EXPVPbLUO52jdlKFGV4f4bj32Y5pj4IRd9mn3VH5emHDW-jwdehelgyKicV0OBKYgtKkyjid5oHNuwjk2y1tiCgNIaAhblnxLfjCh13kqyUfqKROX9ohEsn/w568-h640/HE%202.jpg" width="568" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end cap removed, revealing a bit of crud in the tubes<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">However, this was a boat job so, of course, things then got tricky. The cap at the forward end of the tubes also had to be removed to allow me to prise out both O-rings to allow the tube-stack to slide out. Unfortunately, it showed no sign of shifting once the bolts were removed. I was nervous about applying too much force and possibly breaking something expensive so chatted to the resident engine specialist, Steve, at New Wave Engineering, who has come to our assistance in the past. He climbed aboard and was surprised that the end cap was stuck. However, armed with knowledge and experience, he selected a big hammer and a steel drift and whacked it far harder that I would have dared; thankfully, the recalcitrant cap flew off, undamaged.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJjrn9xuD5DHlOhJqgmSCU2JUdpvndkW92DCSz9BKFa8Zobs8Cosj9CwUEG5bX48EV-dAlD0GEq3fQ02kM0bxtqyyLlyZW9IIvkMyG81SqEZKV5rkOuEfr0B5oaXwmn5AgSm-XadhIXnjnWHy9eVkB-xqDlW4UaF4TTqAyc6HiAFKbmPGiuhBg1MR/s2901/HE%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2901" data-original-width="2833" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJjrn9xuD5DHlOhJqgmSCU2JUdpvndkW92DCSz9BKFa8Zobs8Cosj9CwUEG5bX48EV-dAlD0GEq3fQ02kM0bxtqyyLlyZW9IIvkMyG81SqEZKV5rkOuEfr0B5oaXwmn5AgSm-XadhIXnjnWHy9eVkB-xqDlW4UaF4TTqAyc6HiAFKbmPGiuhBg1MR/w624-h640/HE%203.jpg" width="624" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With both caps and O-rings removed, the tube stack slid out easily</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I had read that brick cleaner (a fairly aggressive acid) or vinegar were both options to soak the tubes in order to clean them but Steve has an ultrasonic cleaner in his workshop which he prefers for the task so offered that as an option.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFGG1AhpZIU3pbdbYnPzIQOgys2_DSNtwbZ_7MCO4ci8kydEnKPj_PMBa8zEFkmkl0wvFNEsYRiDCq2qUU2FrAtq6rbcEld0Ew2zb7--6OjhxKqjFJRhAK--uca6CKvCiebHqMU-R1S8xpCzDI6TI5DaQYLvx2ADDVOGlojJFrIuewEEIx_T8H0r7/s4032/HE%20clean%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFGG1AhpZIU3pbdbYnPzIQOgys2_DSNtwbZ_7MCO4ci8kydEnKPj_PMBa8zEFkmkl0wvFNEsYRiDCq2qUU2FrAtq6rbcEld0Ew2zb7--6OjhxKqjFJRhAK--uca6CKvCiebHqMU-R1S8xpCzDI6TI5DaQYLvx2ADDVOGlojJFrIuewEEIx_T8H0r7/w480-h640/HE%20clean%201.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a couple of cleaning cycles, the tube stack yields all its hidden bits of scale and muck</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtv1gJnNpo68O4JLYzIyKp5Sj_kXRAsPCu_floGBKhL06h3rtKbncMksy2g55YPjoUyYlXytwbBr0dAtMLWrsjbxEUydPLtPYG-A4GZAEjXU8coSK6PPRgUj-0HcnXIF__JQh4dPs_4gJy3I2mqP1IECedspXSHhXSfCeMYP7Qh656IC5lPJC1ACKv/s4032/HE%20clean%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtv1gJnNpo68O4JLYzIyKp5Sj_kXRAsPCu_floGBKhL06h3rtKbncMksy2g55YPjoUyYlXytwbBr0dAtMLWrsjbxEUydPLtPYG-A4GZAEjXU8coSK6PPRgUj-0HcnXIF__JQh4dPs_4gJy3I2mqP1IECedspXSHhXSfCeMYP7Qh656IC5lPJC1ACKv/w480-h640/HE%20clean%202.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ultrasonic cleaner also removed all the paint from the caps so Steve primed them, ready for a topcoat of Yanmar grey</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8gfgmmbR8Ym02p65P2WY9h62y3szdYOpZ0y4p3gVKqfKBCk5zhM2wIYKKFLx3oah9xagNXgOf7PUqrwHuoiLlM7NSojr9vISZvA0He7Npi5b0U9Pf24O-i32wiuXj3CPPVmcyvG_F6laXkiTaXM9I9QMtEOuQpACLzoi_uM83R4b3u5qBQWV6KfX/s4032/HE%20clean%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8gfgmmbR8Ym02p65P2WY9h62y3szdYOpZ0y4p3gVKqfKBCk5zhM2wIYKKFLx3oah9xagNXgOf7PUqrwHuoiLlM7NSojr9vISZvA0He7Npi5b0U9Pf24O-i32wiuXj3CPPVmcyvG_F6laXkiTaXM9I9QMtEOuQpACLzoi_uM83R4b3u5qBQWV6KfX/w480-h640/HE%20clean%203.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As good as new</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We've bought new O-rings and gaskets so next time we'll refit the heat exchanger and refill the coolant circuit. It's good to know that this job is done and we should be good for another few years. On to the next job on the list!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><br /></p></div></div>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-10744564540449036862022-10-10T09:56:00.002+01:002022-10-10T09:56:20.245+01:00The new instrument project is completed!<p><span style="font-family: arial;">We are very pleased to report that the rewiring and chaos is over with! Here are some short videos of it all:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the second installment of the video story, as we remove the remaining cables and start to add the new network instruments: <a href="https://youtu.be/WuF3mtxmMPA" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/WuF3mtxmMPA</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">and here's the final bit of the installation <a href="https://youtu.be/cgdZEfe70gU" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/cgdZEfe70gU</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We finally took Maunie out for a sea-trial at the weekend and were delighted that everything worked as it should. Unfortunately there was no wind at all but the calm sea and sunshine were perfect conditions for testing. <a href="https://youtu.be/b-cV8XV-t_E" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/b-cV8XV-t_E</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We'll hope to get a final few days of sailing, weather permitting, before the end of the month. We'll be hauling out at Baltic Wharf in Totnes again this winter so she'll be snug under her winter cover and we'll be able to continue with a few maintenance jobs. Hopefully not too many!</span></p>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-25170684518194835402022-09-20T17:24:00.000+01:002022-09-20T17:24:36.433+01:00Taking the boat apart and sailing something rather bigger.<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">We've bitten the bullet and decided that now's the time to upgrade our 25-year-old Autohelm navigation instruments, the ones that show us speed, depth, wind speed and direction, and so on.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The old kit was still working fine, with the odd hiccup, but it operates on a different language than that used by the chart plotter and autopilot, so requires some electronic trickery to translate between the two systems. We had realised for a while that, at some stage, we'd need to upgrade and recent galloping inflation in the electronics supply-chain finally made up our minds for us - we needed to order the new Raymarine equipment before the 1st of September to beat price increases of up to 35% on some items!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The next challenge was getting someone to fit the kit. All the local experts were busy (and, of course, expensive) so we started to think about tackling the project as a DIY job. Luckily, one local marine electrician could spare us an hour to come aboard to go through the plans; an hour of his time was money well spent to be sure we were on the right track and he took Graham's hand-drawn diagram and uprated it to something much more professional!</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9HKLnSx-jECDU0hhq6NEsdC-wx-u0YR21Wmxn3Z6iPoM2TBjiEqIBa8YnW5wTr1v7hQKCtIzudQ1Vh_7yNoIYDO-XdAH5TDsJ6rG62Q_irgrHVyzeOm-6XX3wEvl13jc6F-7QgaNox1otjFttoDkOR-q-ba8ddiYDOtFz7OztQlN6A6n68vX7YHz/s2440/First%20drawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1858" data-original-width="2440" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9HKLnSx-jECDU0hhq6NEsdC-wx-u0YR21Wmxn3Z6iPoM2TBjiEqIBa8YnW5wTr1v7hQKCtIzudQ1Vh_7yNoIYDO-XdAH5TDsJ6rG62Q_irgrHVyzeOm-6XX3wEvl13jc6F-7QgaNox1otjFttoDkOR-q-ba8ddiYDOtFz7OztQlN6A6n68vX7YHz/w640-h488/First%20drawing.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graham's sketch - the red dots are new bits of kit</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4mHnHr04_TdUedR6-zZrXtbRqxX-sbQj1q09YEDL-Rr79p3g8v7eEtnRo0RgES9brvzN-ycl3wAvKUn5Pa7iW8Z0coJ2xlBcTMIMiwldzGVnOqqNRxTrClfGIAFbCeLpyBhqrAS_f_BqHltAE_gEjwLT5SKF5RDpuRZq5qfEVVU9EWa7flh4JQmm/s1205/Chris%20design.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="1205" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4mHnHr04_TdUedR6-zZrXtbRqxX-sbQj1q09YEDL-Rr79p3g8v7eEtnRo0RgES9brvzN-ycl3wAvKUn5Pa7iW8Z0coJ2xlBcTMIMiwldzGVnOqqNRxTrClfGIAFbCeLpyBhqrAS_f_BqHltAE_gEjwLT5SKF5RDpuRZq5qfEVVU9EWa7flh4JQmm/w640-h416/Chris%20design.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The professional version</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Having ordered all the components, it was simply a matter of removing the old instruments and wiring to be ready to fit the new. It wasn't simple, of course!</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboluMrJOc83DTjziDRhDIXvlWEH70-0cAUdfP5_EVuJW9gn-TgGRh_j7e6HftL6YZdm-xspw2DE4lRAIWmRrvAnyY3Kdpg_641MgXc7z0UAGb5fNeiuo1LH1bNBf8eWQrNcO3IE8ZYMXaEvGa7qLFFqYMt45jNC4IsfKQ6GulP_WvmTPh_epPK3ZD/s1580/vlcsnap-2022-09-11-12h59m47s689.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1580" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboluMrJOc83DTjziDRhDIXvlWEH70-0cAUdfP5_EVuJW9gn-TgGRh_j7e6HftL6YZdm-xspw2DE4lRAIWmRrvAnyY3Kdpg_641MgXc7z0UAGb5fNeiuo1LH1bNBf8eWQrNcO3IE8ZYMXaEvGa7qLFFqYMt45jNC4IsfKQ6GulP_WvmTPh_epPK3ZD/w640-h358/vlcsnap-2022-09-11-12h59m47s689.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Which of these cables needs to be removed?!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's a short video of the first stage of the process:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://youtu.be/pYud5LccPlo" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/pYud5LccPlo</a><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It was all a bit challenging but we are making progress. There'll be another update shortly as we start putting all the new kit into place.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Meanwhile, as a break from all the wiring, Graham has just been sailing on something altogether bigger - a 72' Global Challenge yacht of the type that we both raced around Britain. Scarily, it's 19 years since the Round Britain Challenge, so the opportunity to sail aboard the Challenge Wales yacht was something to jump at and Graham has now volunteered as a crew member for the charity, which focuses on delivering team working skills to 14-25 year olds. Sunday's sail was a chance to meet the team and enjoy some autumnal sunshine in the brown, tidal waters off Cardiff.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's a 2-minute video of the sail:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://youtu.be/JmGc1eqy85I" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/JmGc1eqy85I</a><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-89121713770540760902022-08-16T16:22:00.001+01:002022-08-16T16:22:28.586+01:00A final video from the Caledonian Canal<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavOh4dPmBqb5JFhZqHLkkH36kmlljYUxJ_21Cy2pCPRUFcSxLuld2zdnAH8iomV-NcJ7-dOwXJ3IzxvVtuj7__xLNzPlEkGs9Sst5ihFoKMl8NjK6Yr7BcKfnEcl38b5MMVSmWNqEmN3mbGyNEDuhUNl596iToStHX8Q6qGWFt3_pJv4d-xWsRxKX/s1234/nessy%20crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1234" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavOh4dPmBqb5JFhZqHLkkH36kmlljYUxJ_21Cy2pCPRUFcSxLuld2zdnAH8iomV-NcJ7-dOwXJ3IzxvVtuj7__xLNzPlEkGs9Sst5ihFoKMl8NjK6Yr7BcKfnEcl38b5MMVSmWNqEmN3mbGyNEDuhUNl596iToStHX8Q6qGWFt3_pJv4d-xWsRxKX/w640-h422/nessy%20crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We've just finished editing some video and photos from the Caledonian Canal so here's the link -it's a 10-minute film, hope you enjoy it:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://youtu.be/1bECnEI16KM" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/1bECnEI16KM</a><br /></span></p>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-51970074501138961912022-08-10T16:38:00.003+01:002022-08-10T16:38:47.801+01:00 A new video - sailing in Orkney<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We're back home and struggling a little with the combined effects of Covid and the hot weather. The lawns are parched brown and the ground is rock hard.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdzlcBcC2wK82KJYYETT7vEq2anHon44DWDd6xbSPpxrO2tx549-1uojguphMa9Ik5_YiAuedlQ3yVLT9W8fIZuSC6LAeh9MgHI0nfuVqNiZdSDtp-xTLpPcFF8DGPHeeO3KE7B7z6FkXbs5GEsI3Mg2e_ZPDkk3tGyx4qQ86nv8TqXExo7F9n3io/s4469/FILE00621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2515" data-original-width="4469" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdzlcBcC2wK82KJYYETT7vEq2anHon44DWDd6xbSPpxrO2tx549-1uojguphMa9Ik5_YiAuedlQ3yVLT9W8fIZuSC6LAeh9MgHI0nfuVqNiZdSDtp-xTLpPcFF8DGPHeeO3KE7B7z6FkXbs5GEsI3Mg2e_ZPDkk3tGyx4qQ86nv8TqXExo7F9n3io/w640-h360/FILE00621.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The village church with the graveyard parched brown</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyH1TYF4pM6pd5AW0VplOoRv9cYWrFzNnvy-LYpTC9sSr0t7IozwTBhD3ymwkO3o2ru-YNcv71BiVBXs2xa8gkWpVmuVjV0vCyJEw-nw5eguOEaf4iAGHWiQhxCOyce_lZZJ4OPVNhjrA0iatgIJVWqCyXp2HsYK7aRQE2zjYV41z2GZCLnvUAw5Rk/s4608/FILE00632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="4608" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyH1TYF4pM6pd5AW0VplOoRv9cYWrFzNnvy-LYpTC9sSr0t7IozwTBhD3ymwkO3o2ru-YNcv71BiVBXs2xa8gkWpVmuVjV0vCyJEw-nw5eguOEaf4iAGHWiQhxCOyce_lZZJ4OPVNhjrA0iatgIJVWqCyXp2HsYK7aRQE2zjYV41z2GZCLnvUAw5Rk/w640-h360/FILE00632.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking south past the house - it'll be a good harvest for grain, at least.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Still, the lack of energy to attempt anything too strenuous has given Graham the opportunity to do some editing of video that we shot up in Orkney.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Here's the link: <a href="https://youtu.be/MO9MnKTLmcI" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/MO9MnKTLmcI</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-60389137287996715522022-08-03T11:51:00.002+01:002022-08-03T11:56:11.700+01:00The End of the Cruise<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEGMefngM2S9MXpddWECOrDyptoEZCPU7d0WQ_fAMP7VJ34NX_eI0Q7rjhKieZXH0gvwdkfpgUFU1YdTGztcWFA5Uhm4x0ftEgXLrommocD_dP0YIQC2iuricFJUE0FeEDQL8eqPFGcsi2fL-szLrj2sQcUaDnFaaljqUtE3miq-9h-xZGb8Pd4Jh/s1772/IMG_E0077lr.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1183" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEGMefngM2S9MXpddWECOrDyptoEZCPU7d0WQ_fAMP7VJ34NX_eI0Q7rjhKieZXH0gvwdkfpgUFU1YdTGztcWFA5Uhm4x0ftEgXLrommocD_dP0YIQC2iuricFJUE0FeEDQL8eqPFGcsi2fL-szLrj2sQcUaDnFaaljqUtE3miq-9h-xZGb8Pd4Jh/w428-h640/IMG_E0077lr.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The final 258nm passage back to Dartmouth was fast and eventful - we completed it in 39 hours. A perfect beam reach across the Irish Sea saw us pass north of the Isles of Scilly</span> at 09.00 on Saturday and we then turned to port, hoisted the Parasailor and had a great day's run east, passing very close to Wolf Rock lighthouse, south of Land's End.</p></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyKbthBx6zp4pfkQqYWJT0H7SlJD7gAlQ_Nadnbh7PYj2shXLVpbb_H22nJz5r6dt1JzR3pXv1DQ9v0_5Pa0EV5roCguxLh1VProbLz4Z_gELD1PBLYpXAoNgtadOTSeaVbJ2omrYiB4g5F38KHQESJzDYs_GJWGw3byNkH6FD4ojZjMQd7w7jCIT/s1989/IMG_4218lr.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1989" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyKbthBx6zp4pfkQqYWJT0H7SlJD7gAlQ_Nadnbh7PYj2shXLVpbb_H22nJz5r6dt1JzR3pXv1DQ9v0_5Pa0EV5roCguxLh1VProbLz4Z_gELD1PBLYpXAoNgtadOTSeaVbJ2omrYiB4g5F38KHQESJzDYs_GJWGw3byNkH6FD4ojZjMQd7w7jCIT/w640-h340/IMG_4218lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We enjoyed several dolphin convoys and even had a pilot whale pop up alongside us. Di was still pretty exhausted from her Covid but was able to do short watches to allow Graham to get some much-needed sleep but, to be honest, tiredness meant that the skipper's decision-making process wasn't as sharp as it could have been. The sensible thing to do would be to drop the Parasailor before dark and continue under white sails but we were lulled by the moderate breeze and excellent progress into keeping it up. Of course, the wind built substantially more that forecast so we had a very high speed sail in up to 22 knots of wind.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We decided that it would be safest to wait till first light to drop the sail and Constance our amazing autopilot did an excellent job to keep us on course. However, sailing much faster than planned, we arrived at the tidal gate of Start Point about 2 hours too early and had to fight a 2-3 knot adverse current which also built up the seas. It would have been much more sensible to be under more easily-controlled white sails, with the option to heave-to (effectively parking the boat with the sails opposing each other) to wait for the tide. Ah, well, we never stop learning, and that experience is salted away as reference for future passages!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Anyway, by 07.00 on Sunday we were safely back on our home mooring and retired to our bunks for a few hours. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">On Monday morning Graham, still testing negative but feeling tired with the onset of a head cold, masked up as a precaution, took the train back to Taunton. In a completely full carriage of 92 seats he was the only person wearing a mask which goes a long way to explaining the recent peak of the Ba5 variant; roughly 1 in 17 people in England are currently infected, according to the Zoe Covid Survey, so statistically you'd expect 5 people in that carriage to be positive. Anyway, a taxi ride completed the journey back to Kilve to collect the car, which started first time (we love that Subaru!). By the time he got back to Dartmouth, though, he was feeling distinctly ropey so took another test.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajWeyNhYPIbtZLsl97-EtLBt59bjfmobZjmxHnUQUDfNJEtBaSiEx_lqf-LDWG-BtM6Baaox4g0JhkLzwzrwO79WhVEHC9FIPpvGxuiyUy3LDlUJwHAEfjBzJshkFI-gzXIOYaSUhYHfgzVvNViXxQ4h7xiol6lcQLoUYO9icG9n3PyRnaUcMMdu-/s2358/IMG_4223.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="2358" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajWeyNhYPIbtZLsl97-EtLBt59bjfmobZjmxHnUQUDfNJEtBaSiEx_lqf-LDWG-BtM6Baaox4g0JhkLzwzrwO79WhVEHC9FIPpvGxuiyUy3LDlUJwHAEfjBzJshkFI-gzXIOYaSUhYHfgzVvNViXxQ4h7xiol6lcQLoUYO9icG9n3PyRnaUcMMdu-/w400-h141/IMG_4223.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So, a full 6 days after Di first tested positive he now has Covid and is feeling pretty rough. The timing could have been a lot worse, however - if the symptoms had kicked in on passage we'd have probably had to divert to Scilly or Falmouth to rest at anchor for a few days.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">Apart from the Covid ending , it's been an amazing cruise, even if the weather in Scotland and Orkney was distinctly poor. Overall we sailed 1936nm at an average speed of just over 6 knots and, as always, our faith and trust in Maunie was never shaken.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><i>A final note from the First Mate (as is tradition).......the skipper should not beat himself up for the Parasailor decision. To look after a very 'under the weather' crew, sail Maunie, take on extra watches and everything else was pretty incredible. Yes, we'll both learn from the experience but, as ever, Graham's skills as a skipper are unquestionable.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-55601990008484080462022-07-29T09:17:00.000+01:002022-07-29T09:17:06.060+01:00An Update from Isolation Cove<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tmgiVjyHXzUril6TQZlFGX2YwERWDno4GUf9NCczk3NAc2UF78pw9E4sWbeLyLZwYZ6uO2dh7KcMmKFPo6_zFMr3Tvz3u9-3zq3c7bOSaN643zi8T952paR8NiC4p1QK9Mklz0xBTijyia7yZ0-HIglpFMGYGCCvezVrj2sz6fnIEADy4SgfydBu/s2000/P1080478.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="2000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tmgiVjyHXzUril6TQZlFGX2YwERWDno4GUf9NCczk3NAc2UF78pw9E4sWbeLyLZwYZ6uO2dh7KcMmKFPo6_zFMr3Tvz3u9-3zq3c7bOSaN643zi8T952paR8NiC4p1QK9Mklz0xBTijyia7yZ0-HIglpFMGYGCCvezVrj2sz6fnIEADy4SgfydBu/w640-h296/P1080478.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A quick update from our isolation anchorage at Courtmacsherry (or Courtmac, as we locals call it). We've had calm weather and, this morning, a beautiful sunrise and we've had time to rest and recover over the past three days. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-uc3emqHJHspX-rWlQ_PHVbmMps9eySA_62SCQgdUucKBFM-VYaycsAmieMJIucnxMKwYErexZmOroHo3vULmkoKDDOO85IYzutMRfpdzcgozt3av7WZuOmxzBpO4wJouGkI1ZjXUkGPqMEMRgLhLKdX2NHR42ZSqb-GrIVX0Lg12-v72JdxFQfB/s2731/IMG_4210lr.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="2731" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-uc3emqHJHspX-rWlQ_PHVbmMps9eySA_62SCQgdUucKBFM-VYaycsAmieMJIucnxMKwYErexZmOroHo3vULmkoKDDOO85IYzutMRfpdzcgozt3av7WZuOmxzBpO4wJouGkI1ZjXUkGPqMEMRgLhLKdX2NHR42ZSqb-GrIVX0Lg12-v72JdxFQfB/w640-h180/IMG_4210lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maunie's new home</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pBdtPvSXkOo9sThQlgac8Bxc9H8RAJONnvKUT2DmuIL1vmxaWszxL9VHAlhqdQZBlz1uzdPf02X1KQaT6-fWRL7hMyGJxHi81U8ZNhD21UGDcbIbMj7V1tkBEXxfw5_AqncZio4NSjFJLu9jW39y9iyNGuB1afWUN7-6D5_IeKpgHwO7sovE7668/s1932/IMG_4206lr.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1932" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pBdtPvSXkOo9sThQlgac8Bxc9H8RAJONnvKUT2DmuIL1vmxaWszxL9VHAlhqdQZBlz1uzdPf02X1KQaT6-fWRL7hMyGJxHi81U8ZNhD21UGDcbIbMj7V1tkBEXxfw5_AqncZio4NSjFJLu9jW39y9iyNGuB1afWUN7-6D5_IeKpgHwO7sovE7668/w640-h360/IMG_4206lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The anchorage at low tide, looking towards the mouth of the estuary</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5YNHUtuvnCUHmx8jyfgE3gZQMpeziWKZTUXOHuDveKQg1XBUVJUGIUCnqwiEuFQ6eVtR0ROsbMfruFU20G2UbphR7kMj9n3A4Ovzk1uIX9PTbget6PdF-FJee3U9bm7XN4_rRmXm4bEUEZeZ5XoECbR_lmLLtKJ5_QGTVhJOC29UZHGPMi4-JDqC/s2119/P1080479lr.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="2119" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5YNHUtuvnCUHmx8jyfgE3gZQMpeziWKZTUXOHuDveKQg1XBUVJUGIUCnqwiEuFQ6eVtR0ROsbMfruFU20G2UbphR7kMj9n3A4Ovzk1uIX9PTbget6PdF-FJee3U9bm7XN4_rRmXm4bEUEZeZ5XoECbR_lmLLtKJ5_QGTVhJOC29UZHGPMi4-JDqC/w640-h298/P1080479lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise this morning</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As we approach spring tides, we have a rise and fall of nearly 3m but our Bahamian mooring has kept us perfectly spaced between the local moorings. The estuary is deceptive, though, and arriving near high water you could easily be fooled into thinking there is deep water where, in reality, shallow sand banks lurk to snag the keels of the unwary. We saw it happen last night when an incoming yacht strayed too far to starboard of the channel and ended up having an uncomfortable few hours on the mud.</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBKZdKPZGvw4EJiiZoDnFSzBhKHbCvtR3N3qaA7HWe6uaCyCcrlAuzLuD29SR9ueSpQb9QO3kAL5oc6L4iyN4sZbid4GrlORmsl11ySLXj5NdNLa96-3upInRyR2Bx00L1IZj9cwHZtLfV0hUOiQfIrI4z1h-rtNbIGP3Re8lbtZeF2fY3YQiKc06/s3524/P1080474.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2427" data-original-width="3524" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBKZdKPZGvw4EJiiZoDnFSzBhKHbCvtR3N3qaA7HWe6uaCyCcrlAuzLuD29SR9ueSpQb9QO3kAL5oc6L4iyN4sZbid4GrlORmsl11ySLXj5NdNLa96-3upInRyR2Bx00L1IZj9cwHZtLfV0hUOiQfIrI4z1h-rtNbIGP3Re8lbtZeF2fY3YQiKc06/w640-h440/P1080474.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The yacht heeling over as the water drains away</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Luckily for them there was no wind and the water was completely calm so no damage was done, other than to pride.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Dianne has been feeling pretty groggy but has managed to catch up on sleep so is feeling a lot better, though she's certainly not fully recovered yet. Graham, somehow, is still testing negative for Covid so his being banished to the aft cabin seems to have worked so far.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So we've decided that we'll set off this afternoon for a 40-hour passage to Dartmouth. Di's well enough to keep watch though isn't up to anything too strenuous. Thankfully, the weather looks as good as it's going to get for us - the shipping forecast gives the wind as SW Force 3-5 (which means we'll be reaching, the fastest and most comfortable point of sail) and the sea state is mainly slight.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Departing Courtmac at 15.00 today, we should reach Land's End around 18.00 tomorrow and, hopefully, a large blue spinnaker will be involved!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzk893nQeg0WbjSVUEGWDyMyVDBVfGXTEZDca4Xn2OhBvDCZCM0xoBHjPyYfbJlG2qqbYDXiyfgofa3jxyCaUvWGEUdiU-ToUg7iUhzrjfGFfwWWgpsG_VccXmYuxRiyuDsxfebfM_goxnC8jhY1CIeXoZmw6DwYSy8Z0rs8rgOC9dZzE0LPpRY1D/s861/Saturday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="861" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzk893nQeg0WbjSVUEGWDyMyVDBVfGXTEZDca4Xn2OhBvDCZCM0xoBHjPyYfbJlG2qqbYDXiyfgofa3jxyCaUvWGEUdiU-ToUg7iUhzrjfGFfwWWgpsG_VccXmYuxRiyuDsxfebfM_goxnC8jhY1CIeXoZmw6DwYSy8Z0rs8rgOC9dZzE0LPpRY1D/w640-h622/Saturday.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Our passage plan is such that the tide will then turn in our favour to take us past Lizard Point and on towards Dartmouth. The next 'tidal gate' (where adverse strong currents would be a challenge if we get the timing wrong) will be Start Point, just west of Dartmouth, so we'll aim to get there around 06.00 on Sunday, just as the tide turns in our favour.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1oUiJI3IA-6TD4WOsik_5lfb1bof41ThpC0x-FPf-Sy8kD2g2O5w_oJVjs1tMhyi4SvQUT2KrRDgpcx9qT-Kl8dzLL1hJejn2rVpckoDZHqWvrGLYzIOzfsjCO7YWDvsW46O1UWBQzYHy-ORdX8WqrbBb_415lhPUh8qM86_jIg5E2DbR9Bor0fR/s829/Sunday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="829" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1oUiJI3IA-6TD4WOsik_5lfb1bof41ThpC0x-FPf-Sy8kD2g2O5w_oJVjs1tMhyi4SvQUT2KrRDgpcx9qT-Kl8dzLL1hJejn2rVpckoDZHqWvrGLYzIOzfsjCO7YWDvsW46O1UWBQzYHy-ORdX8WqrbBb_415lhPUh8qM86_jIg5E2DbR9Bor0fR/w640-h578/Sunday.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">That's the plan, at least. We hope that it'll all work out nicely and we'll be back on our home mooring by mid-morning on Sunday.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-6555692736785545582022-07-26T21:26:00.006+01:002022-07-26T21:32:04.042+01:00It was all going so well, until Covid struck<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkW5Yk1jLXmCgVzbi6ItZd3M0sknGy03ThZzNRE60UIa97S2cPXVmmDxxUbc8E_W363Aod1AX4P7wy2Ytt1eZPgdGmcrkcPpy_xI1S6ZCwts1vu-pJeWKERXIc7OAbOWiJWn2ny2AJ7ki_iabumdzfZw8XyTBOwJ-W2hscpcBzyQ6neTPCGgL1x7_-/s4398/P1080471lr.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1543" data-original-width="4398" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkW5Yk1jLXmCgVzbi6ItZd3M0sknGy03ThZzNRE60UIa97S2cPXVmmDxxUbc8E_W363Aod1AX4P7wy2Ytt1eZPgdGmcrkcPpy_xI1S6ZCwts1vu-pJeWKERXIc7OAbOWiJWn2ny2AJ7ki_iabumdzfZw8XyTBOwJ-W2hscpcBzyQ6neTPCGgL1x7_-/w640-h224/P1080471lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156;">"The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men, </span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156;">Gang aft agley" - Robert Burns</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4d5156;"><span style="background-color: white;">We looked at the shipping forecast yesterday morning and decided that a sea state of 'moderate to rough', combined with the wind directly behind us, would be a recipe for a very uncomfortably rolly sail to the Isles of Scilly. With a much more friendly wind and wave combination forecast for the end of this week, we decided that a few more days in Ireland would be a great idea.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4d5156;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4d5156;"><span style="background-color: white;">This turned out to be fortuitous decision because Dianne had a very sleepless and feverish night last night and has tested positive for Covid this morning (Graham has tested negative, for the moment at least). Had we been at sea, as originally planned, she just wouldn't have been able to stand a night watch and would have had an even more miserable night.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4d5156;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4d5156;"><span style="background-color: white;">We have therefore decided that self isolation at anchor rather, than staying in a busy marina, would be a good idea so this afternoon, while Dianne returned to her bunk, Graham sailed (well, motored, in flat calm) Maunie around the Old Head of Kinsale to Courtmacsherry.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4d5156;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4d5156;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIn_phlWPjn2QFGgV3_T0rOi1oqu--QdyItZrrAoBX7Mo_RlwQ8PHqU_zq5bt_icdxc9roaMParkGMYKv4F2d5e1O5TI_XWIA8OZiU0ke5dyRcVsyfnFiX08oTcza8hS8iAuAJY3EjIleWS6jHMhIgXXwivM8uZiATRPeyAM0ftw48zP4i-gBm5cT/s1340/Kinsale%20to%20Court.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="1340" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIn_phlWPjn2QFGgV3_T0rOi1oqu--QdyItZrrAoBX7Mo_RlwQ8PHqU_zq5bt_icdxc9roaMParkGMYKv4F2d5e1O5TI_XWIA8OZiU0ke5dyRcVsyfnFiX08oTcza8hS8iAuAJY3EjIleWS6jHMhIgXXwivM8uZiATRPeyAM0ftw48zP4i-gBm5cT/w640-h390/Kinsale%20to%20Court.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4d5156;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxN0d1lfaAKMKTn4X9hv2CcE5BbKac_CGaxieOh2-JGLCwufu6B_epiVYb3YC3Nv_6H10DbNJEGi2-PvudrCkYX9cURqNs9O58aWTqpMNTHZufMvTn4HFi3N1H8wFs7wZeQvz9_gPLXiqlRiinId6QBzkd6UpDVHrsjk9da2P6fG2Up7OSi2dOq17/s1930/P1080470lr.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxN0d1lfaAKMKTn4X9hv2CcE5BbKac_CGaxieOh2-JGLCwufu6B_epiVYb3YC3Nv_6H10DbNJEGi2-PvudrCkYX9cURqNs9O58aWTqpMNTHZufMvTn4HFi3N1H8wFs7wZeQvz9_gPLXiqlRiinId6QBzkd6UpDVHrsjk9da2P6fG2Up7OSi2dOq17/w640-h360/P1080470lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Head of Kinsale lighthouse</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Courtmacsherry is a little holiday town, approached along a narrow river channel between shallow mud banks.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4d5156;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4d5156;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6diXCzhptkv8CxiDO3M3MDlFAII9396ozXqfyh2-xQgU02a1Xno6lTW6SYKBmvewINVMT_cXhgXj9Dc0unTdyULuVHuRa71QEO5gzZQh6RHb3SCW3RKjugg-Ew35j_ikOfi2cPRBtIYc4h_qxqUjwJtmYfmUdKLudNJlRh-CraheDaPFpSmOFOdb0/s1560/Court.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="1560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6diXCzhptkv8CxiDO3M3MDlFAII9396ozXqfyh2-xQgU02a1Xno6lTW6SYKBmvewINVMT_cXhgXj9Dc0unTdyULuVHuRa71QEO5gzZQh6RHb3SCW3RKjugg-Ew35j_ikOfi2cPRBtIYc4h_qxqUjwJtmYfmUdKLudNJlRh-CraheDaPFpSmOFOdb0/w640-h360/Court.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4d5156;"><span style="background-color: white;">There is a small visitors' pontoon here but we decided that, in our infectious state, we should stay away from other yachts so found a fairly small space to anchor amongst the moorings on the south side of the channel. The current runs quite quickly here and the boats all change direction with the incoming and outgoing tide so we've set up what's known as a Bahamian Mooring, using two anchors:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4d5156;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4d5156;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctY0jQqYsZh5GXh9kmSkh8Qwv_yklh2WKoqgsmEPvIDZ7XoNvJaP-YLhJPn2_bnKnYC-6AzFumUKoNJMMazAEdjVbS1P2kssRejwfPzhjzHTfKLvnDXpl-TMBv9jPGJQg_mGuGOeCE4x9J7jdrpiBE3AiBvFw4yW_pgZFe-py-i5xPCVIzm-pSG3u/s282/bahamian.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="179" data-original-width="282" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctY0jQqYsZh5GXh9kmSkh8Qwv_yklh2WKoqgsmEPvIDZ7XoNvJaP-YLhJPn2_bnKnYC-6AzFumUKoNJMMazAEdjVbS1P2kssRejwfPzhjzHTfKLvnDXpl-TMBv9jPGJQg_mGuGOeCE4x9J7jdrpiBE3AiBvFw4yW_pgZFe-py-i5xPCVIzm-pSG3u/w400-h254/bahamian.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white;">To achieve this, you drop and anchor as normal, then let out extra chain to allow you to lower the second anchor over the stern. You then pull back in on the first anchor chain to position the boat roughly equidistant between the two anchors. Finally, you shackle a block (pulley) to the first anchor chain and run the second anchor rope through it and pull it tight. When the tide changes, the boat swings around but stays pretty much in the same position, rather than drifting down into the neighbouring moorings as would happen if we just relied on one anchor. We're glad to report that it seems to have worked really well.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4d5156;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4d5156;"><span style="background-color: white;">So our new plan is to hang here for a couple of days to see how we are feeling. Hopefully we'll still be ok to sail back to Dartmouth at the weekend but, of course, social distancing on a 38ft boat is tricky so Graham fully expects to test positive soon and, being a man, will of course have it much worse.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #4d5156;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div></span><p></p>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-42561410540704256322022-07-24T15:31:00.001+01:002022-07-24T15:34:42.762+01:00Irish Coastal Cruising - and Going Through the Motions<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90l7ZROHU9PmCuRD63d56VN1pA0T9LuLkSrUhRFKUQicpNPv26zFipRjttMEtE_t6DtmVfRyrjACkV-WP2EUo-ZjdAslpvECEiwJPc3wPyy1ioZ82hkYwaTs2_J0OHVV2-ohRPvUpyr8Z9JXw6M2HKaRx0AeHlDUTDrlKsXrBad1M0JFhAiPozXGs/s2233/P1080464lr.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="938" data-original-width="2233" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90l7ZROHU9PmCuRD63d56VN1pA0T9LuLkSrUhRFKUQicpNPv26zFipRjttMEtE_t6DtmVfRyrjACkV-WP2EUo-ZjdAslpvECEiwJPc3wPyy1ioZ82hkYwaTs2_J0OHVV2-ohRPvUpyr8Z9JXw6M2HKaRx0AeHlDUTDrlKsXrBad1M0JFhAiPozXGs/w640-h268/P1080464lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Our time in Howth, waiting for the wind direction to change to a more friendly direction, gave us the opportunity to take the 30-minute DART train into Dublin for a day's sight-seeing. Unfortunately we picked the hottest day in Dublin for 135 years (33.2 degrees C) so a rain-starved city with no shortage of bars but, apparently, not enough toilets smelled chiefly of impatience. There was a lot of litter around, too, and the streets were full of foreign tourists - which included ourselves, we suppose. Anyway, despite this, we enjoyed walking through Trinity College, found a great cafe away from the tourist hot spots for a light lunch, had the obligatory overpriced pint of Guinness in Temple Bar and climbed aboard the Jeanie Johnston.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCRJ7Qc-sd_-4-V6dhZq4nXQ0FCiHPdKAmDvF2Blg-RB_apkK7wmv2pNte2-NtPVL2l4kOD3TK-9PtHa2rCtdYNEp29-_rkylMFzTShDPKzXehxYu4nIVktN-ik-mcdphj6L7PoA8VQk-qerHjUJ3Jee6lSK9JZkBV5pbei-3r4cfhalzRuzboCnq/s1679/P1080463lr.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="1679" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCRJ7Qc-sd_-4-V6dhZq4nXQ0FCiHPdKAmDvF2Blg-RB_apkK7wmv2pNte2-NtPVL2l4kOD3TK-9PtHa2rCtdYNEp29-_rkylMFzTShDPKzXehxYu4nIVktN-ik-mcdphj6L7PoA8VQk-qerHjUJ3Jee6lSK9JZkBV5pbei-3r4cfhalzRuzboCnq/w640-h476/P1080463lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This is a replica of a famous Famine Ship. According to Wikipedia, "The original made her maiden voyage from Blennerville in Tralee, Co. Kerry to Quebec in Canada in 1848 with 193 passengers on board. She carried 2,500 Irish emigrants on 16 transatlantic voyages to North America throughout the Famine years.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">On average, the length of the transatlantic journey was 47 days. The most passengers she ever carried was 254, from Tralee to Quebec on 17 April 1852. To put this number in perspective, the replica ship is only licensed to carry 40 people including crew.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Despite the number of passengers, and the long voyage, no crew or passenger lives were ever lost on board the Jeanie Johnston. This is generally attributed to the captain, James Attridge, not overloading the ship, and the presence of a qualified doctor, Richard Blennerhassett, on board for the passengers."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The replica was commissioned in the 1990's and was designed to meet all the latest safety standards, including watertight bulkheads, fire suppression systems and high-tech engines and generators, but the complex project was dogged by delays and overspends. The original cost had been projected at £4.26m sterling (~€5.8m) in 1993 and the final cost was just under 14 million Euro in 2002, funded by the Government, the EU and various sponsors. The final figure included the seagoing ship, shipyard, workshops and visitor centre at Blennerville, cost of launch, fit out at Fenit and the cost of training in shipbuilding skills to some 50 unemployed young people. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Her life as a working sail training vessel was very short and by mid-2010 the decision was made to operate the ship as a museum on the river because she was no longer in seagoing condition. In 2011, significant water damage was discovered, but repair work wasn't carried out until three years later due to lack of funding to dry dock the vessel.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">According to a valuation obtained by Kerry County Council in 2002, the Jeanie was then worth 1.27 million Euro. In 2015, she was valued at 150,000 Euro, a pretty spectacular rate of depreciation! The tour was interesting, to learn some of the history of the Famine exodus, but it was really sad to see the beautifully built replica slowly falling apart due to lack of funding.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUx3B_AZtnKjAUJtqGqaQwhzeLAhh6YBUrTdA731-0OKXr9KPLNC16EeEPLcHYF6cCZXjdp8lK0tsSV9I3jm1t5f2tpWlOAQkKRm_XhNzYcATlxzGssCbmt23_aWNCydS193dZHypsugzRz1nJPWms0Uh1J1BJVzVtmR8Dl1I1W40Xlx8AYimU-dLN/s1870/P1080460lr.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1870" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUx3B_AZtnKjAUJtqGqaQwhzeLAhh6YBUrTdA731-0OKXr9KPLNC16EeEPLcHYF6cCZXjdp8lK0tsSV9I3jm1t5f2tpWlOAQkKRm_XhNzYcATlxzGssCbmt23_aWNCydS193dZHypsugzRz1nJPWms0Uh1J1BJVzVtmR8Dl1I1W40Xlx8AYimU-dLN/w640-h384/P1080460lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Di at the helm. Note the woodwork crying out for new varnish</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfiZe8pNTzmF5WHE9oqzu6MpMN_KCbOnlG54CZjuZQtQyn431kOXWtU_nF5jWB_l3pdTD27Uf_qhx1NwhDO3noxdH3Qi5wxxVFNRs78NRnfL6BP_RuZUJD9qTQp4PRehuIqlbf4mNThrAfKijkrJxDFZ5E7WreyL3veNMGjJLKlE1e6xGLaFBjm2B/s2160/IMG_0065.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="1620" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfiZe8pNTzmF5WHE9oqzu6MpMN_KCbOnlG54CZjuZQtQyn431kOXWtU_nF5jWB_l3pdTD27Uf_qhx1NwhDO3noxdH3Qi5wxxVFNRs78NRnfL6BP_RuZUJD9qTQp4PRehuIqlbf4mNThrAfKijkrJxDFZ5E7WreyL3veNMGjJLKlE1e6xGLaFBjm2B/w480-h640/IMG_0065.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">On Wednesday, the wind finally moved to the NW so we left Howth at 04.00 to catch the south-bound tide. Along the coast are a series of shallow sandbanks, some with only a couple of metres of water covering them, so we navigated inside them and completed a very easy 41nm passage to the little port of Arklow. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Arklow was lovely except for two, related, issues. First, there's a huge, 140-million euro project underway to build a new sewage processing plant for the town so the place reverberated to the sound of pile-driving and drilling. Second, and the reason for the project, is that raw sewage is currently just released into the river, with one of the out-falls being just a few metres from our pontoon berth. After days of no rain here, the river flow was very slow so the place just stank. Such a shame as the town itself was quite attractive and the Harbour Master very friendly and welcoming. However, until the sewage works is completed (In September 2025!) you don't so much berth in Arklow, as go through the motions. Another early start the following morning saw us happy to leave.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UpdQ48GRhss8zkVTegV3mmE_ktBNdf3P2QkdOmPur8krkNhwkhRFWZre4y_ioPX4kVeksijFyBRKYhYrwGyx8STET0zH_Jr12tkNYZsfO6molKBMT8K7dcqcB3G8Sgb0tqXlMzw2GTkXPHhZdLuD_idyQXU-380abiKyHd5_rF-fhojdP4xPP0zP/s2160/IMG_0066.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="1620" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UpdQ48GRhss8zkVTegV3mmE_ktBNdf3P2QkdOmPur8krkNhwkhRFWZre4y_ioPX4kVeksijFyBRKYhYrwGyx8STET0zH_Jr12tkNYZsfO6molKBMT8K7dcqcB3G8Sgb0tqXlMzw2GTkXPHhZdLuD_idyQXU-380abiKyHd5_rF-fhojdP4xPP0zP/w480-h640/IMG_0066.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The northerly breeze allowed us to sail just outside the sandbanks near the busy ferry port of Rosslare but inside Tuskar Rock at the SE tip of Ireland. With strong tidal flows, this corner is a very dangerous place to be in strong south-westerly winds but we flew the spinnaker for a couple of hours and had a very gentle rounding of the corner.</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFquunFXabtN-hlEaBoltjToUjYD76Yyg8crS2VVK02RbtbdDyjF_tSS5EOBlGgxfcA-vN3tXeUGQ839Yb5gaSibGBXU5fSBrggm2UN_MzKVziksEC0hALZMJxVs0YHSyWI2PfdmL23RfJS75hz5WXEBKfbGeJ1OoH0amDdp_teNZnfPiBTyoMKl_r/s2066/P1080466lr.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1014" data-original-width="2066" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFquunFXabtN-hlEaBoltjToUjYD76Yyg8crS2VVK02RbtbdDyjF_tSS5EOBlGgxfcA-vN3tXeUGQ839Yb5gaSibGBXU5fSBrggm2UN_MzKVziksEC0hALZMJxVs0YHSyWI2PfdmL23RfJS75hz5WXEBKfbGeJ1OoH0amDdp_teNZnfPiBTyoMKl_r/w640-h314/P1080466lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying the Parasailor, dead downwind, with two poles for stability in the slightly rolly sea</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Our next destination was a fishing village called Kilmore Quay which has a mildly challenging, dredged channel approach but an excellent, sheltered harbour with a small marina.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-A4ZwPZG62r630uaT4cKRXgCWMtqs-pzf-Is_q7pJB7P9uG2xLr_5gEUCpj0YdTncu3JqiT6cwaIe0KVDaZQ5qIZHY4Gc_caveLgOJXTlQ5ZUxCTdL4F4fjQZW4tK3m094PV7HtMOpj_wfnQLeckC8DuFItnEUjyjFJ8CzAR9Udn_04mesEGcHP_/s2160/IMG_0067.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="1620" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-A4ZwPZG62r630uaT4cKRXgCWMtqs-pzf-Is_q7pJB7P9uG2xLr_5gEUCpj0YdTncu3JqiT6cwaIe0KVDaZQ5qIZHY4Gc_caveLgOJXTlQ5ZUxCTdL4F4fjQZW4tK3m094PV7HtMOpj_wfnQLeckC8DuFItnEUjyjFJ8CzAR9Udn_04mesEGcHP_/w480-h640/IMG_0067.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7wWAvOgW4AGYYPIUv8V3fok36wpWdWQhodCuU8sB9HQCxZhjVO7QL3jPMd3LghV8ZgodHJX88lrLaqJUv7GF9akA7Gl7XEbNnitevUSJJNDsxWlTsrFZi3lSty_OJ3Ovs4-3LjTLMAvBEop7RXLXYubh9ftGWka3WPno-FAL1sD7qt5echLrw3yX/s2502/IMG_4178lr.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="2502" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7wWAvOgW4AGYYPIUv8V3fok36wpWdWQhodCuU8sB9HQCxZhjVO7QL3jPMd3LghV8ZgodHJX88lrLaqJUv7GF9akA7Gl7XEbNnitevUSJJNDsxWlTsrFZi3lSty_OJ3Ovs4-3LjTLMAvBEop7RXLXYubh9ftGWka3WPno-FAL1sD7qt5echLrw3yX/w640-h214/IMG_4178lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQ1DHW2Q_UViX8-OHAk5joAPAQVvB6bfRm1yLZYGzuX8x9y6AgKVbQRsFYqqtuiknTkkcDOAhr7iPMwgAeNI6tSU3R3g7gUWJSgDqa2utn1FC2qugTAHvV3Y29kTx_10lBlJKZVC4sOBSP1KThD09v30qrPStmZtk4v8X7v8Wy6bTNlDDZ3ZmNzzI/s2185/IMG_4182lr.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="2185" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQ1DHW2Q_UViX8-OHAk5joAPAQVvB6bfRm1yLZYGzuX8x9y6AgKVbQRsFYqqtuiknTkkcDOAhr7iPMwgAeNI6tSU3R3g7gUWJSgDqa2utn1FC2qugTAHvV3Y29kTx_10lBlJKZVC4sOBSP1KThD09v30qrPStmZtk4v8X7v8Wy6bTNlDDZ3ZmNzzI/w640-h280/IMG_4182lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Most of the big fleet of fishing boats were tied up in port when we arrived, making navigating past them in the narrow entrance a little interesting. Nicky the Harbour Master told us that they are currently being paid up to 82,000 euro per boat for a month to remain ashore due to fishing quotas. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Our final Irish coastal passage saw another 04.30 start to head west to Kinsale, an 81nm, 13-hour passage in very little wind so the engine ran for most of the way. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Yf39y_OV_sCuj-iCo787BAo2hG5FxYBHmJ4bKxTz1yI6XaLND0eVnYSQDWOcH-tPdmGxsCIzlzdxLHIGnAqz0FE_dYJt25U6Jz_CrVuojPDItG0KY2WM8xqMlZQxQgaZozyiiFUFypU86R-sn1_qEW4-H78qYaPs4HKzz39Yoyht5FUeKzMjxZQ3/s2160/IMG_0064.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="2160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Yf39y_OV_sCuj-iCo787BAo2hG5FxYBHmJ4bKxTz1yI6XaLND0eVnYSQDWOcH-tPdmGxsCIzlzdxLHIGnAqz0FE_dYJt25U6Jz_CrVuojPDItG0KY2WM8xqMlZQxQgaZozyiiFUFypU86R-sn1_qEW4-H78qYaPs4HKzz39Yoyht5FUeKzMjxZQ3/w640-h480/IMG_0064.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Kinsale will be our final port in Ireland and it's a great place to visit. It's a huge sailing centre and the self-styled Gourmet Capital of Ireland, so is very popular with visiting boats. Too popular, it transpired, because we discovered that all three marinas were fully booked and we were lucky to get a last-minute cancellation in Castlepark Marina. Normally we'd have happily anchored in the river but the weekend weather was forecast to be wet and windy (and the forecast has come true!).</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRPrxQqGOe_lUZNfl3PxEa3L8EbXlYtw8AsYZv_7af7s80jhCVsdvFtzwqOTPnrJWlW6b9aKg1okR3Z70aLsEGlhpmplPdeIIzRl6A5vcLPAq7XPnJOCUx5P-qBdkOrb_Jawmmfqj8ZQykkW267jpKdnb7svK3yTIGHKb4Ubs2VQRUpiWjMnOnl0H/s2160/IMG_0068.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="2160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRPrxQqGOe_lUZNfl3PxEa3L8EbXlYtw8AsYZv_7af7s80jhCVsdvFtzwqOTPnrJWlW6b9aKg1okR3Z70aLsEGlhpmplPdeIIzRl6A5vcLPAq7XPnJOCUx5P-qBdkOrb_Jawmmfqj8ZQykkW267jpKdnb7svK3yTIGHKb4Ubs2VQRUpiWjMnOnl0H/w640-h480/IMG_0068.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final approach into Kinsale</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAA9LVOP3IL2FKSkei0bzn6uEjih2UiBwVkpLIh5g3_jtTnM_nK-xQhoOviQBHRuzO52Mo09jImpsbTvgYgmSyAi3Ikpi9SzR8sbT6VqoyzkLje91fuhLK_pqhUBPv4nQcFEsjtXokiKSrwT-FkPlyjt_8XrWoZj49EcltHB7BQOZpJo6_7G0fGTGD/s1882/IMG_4194lr.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="1882" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAA9LVOP3IL2FKSkei0bzn6uEjih2UiBwVkpLIh5g3_jtTnM_nK-xQhoOviQBHRuzO52Mo09jImpsbTvgYgmSyAi3Ikpi9SzR8sbT6VqoyzkLje91fuhLK_pqhUBPv4nQcFEsjtXokiKSrwT-FkPlyjt_8XrWoZj49EcltHB7BQOZpJo6_7G0fGTGD/w640-h378/IMG_4194lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castlepark Marina is a 30-minute walk via the road bridge into town, but we were very glad to have its shelter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIALXNaHFBtAz2DWBFSR-PzRXOOwWc-godjXq_DbWQa5zh1AxB0b5AglOiHuDpphiTrg4m0jS7kYsxJThly0hJzaPygAPsRQoZ6E4m_fJbgxetWQjIF7wCBLaMIQXaW7R-bGdp7LKor84wlsaiE8GXSrfep53NkOdCQJ04V-fWkjQBfgZ2QgosZRcR/s2366/IMG_4196lr.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="2366" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIALXNaHFBtAz2DWBFSR-PzRXOOwWc-godjXq_DbWQa5zh1AxB0b5AglOiHuDpphiTrg4m0jS7kYsxJThly0hJzaPygAPsRQoZ6E4m_fJbgxetWQjIF7wCBLaMIQXaW7R-bGdp7LKor84wlsaiE8GXSrfep53NkOdCQJ04V-fWkjQBfgZ2QgosZRcR/w640-h240/IMG_4196lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The C17 battery of Fort James at the tip of the promontory </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It transpired that we would have very good protection in the marina as our neighbour is an Irish Customs cutter. We were boarded by two Customs officers once we'd tied up so the boat was given a fairly cursory search by one while the other took all of our details in a process that reminded us of our time in New Zealand and Australia.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The most important reason for coming to Kinsale was that our goddaughter Belle is working over here and so we had a lovely long lunch with her in town yesterday.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MXX1VkiLsxDqn5zX7sxiFkFOm8yYVtR9ls0sYa3sgvmZWlu4WIeaoev1hKUpjVHdMZpGisH1xOVIyUq2kcYZhQSUNF5c-murNwEa26B7Ct5JpYyBu7DAaQhgmpwurqVQPP9_zE-xX5yuLzsSAPK3cX82r1gyZAMyE9-kxFWuTKQAlo8rR7nO-hjO/s1672/IMG_4193lr.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MXX1VkiLsxDqn5zX7sxiFkFOm8yYVtR9ls0sYa3sgvmZWlu4WIeaoev1hKUpjVHdMZpGisH1xOVIyUq2kcYZhQSUNF5c-murNwEa26B7Ct5JpYyBu7DAaQhgmpwurqVQPP9_zE-xX5yuLzsSAPK3cX82r1gyZAMyE9-kxFWuTKQAlo8rR7nO-hjO/w640-h480/IMG_4193lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Tomorrow the brisk south-westerlies swing round to the north-west, a perfect direction for us to sail for Falmouth (with an option to stop in the Isles of Scilly if we feel like it).</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqpqgVoSWEA_HC9QYHwPmuZIufGskE3A4Sh2BG_4pIU_o237gm2B2UvnRjjS0ar23169OKMYHDIgedrpe4c6YyTfpTFH1MbUl6jTaArywv_6dpoteM37KmUctwWSKq4rt9VECdv8uZPj3CmvuXwJApemXCDKnWCeISSDQRJYZAVwT6Ud6vRvMktfU/s2160/IMG_0070.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="2160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqpqgVoSWEA_HC9QYHwPmuZIufGskE3A4Sh2BG_4pIU_o237gm2B2UvnRjjS0ar23169OKMYHDIgedrpe4c6YyTfpTFH1MbUl6jTaArywv_6dpoteM37KmUctwWSKq4rt9VECdv8uZPj3CmvuXwJApemXCDKnWCeISSDQRJYZAVwT6Ud6vRvMktfU/w640-h480/IMG_0070.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wind direction looks good, we just hope that the sea state isn't too rough after a couple of days of strong winds.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Falmouth is about a 27-hour sail from here and we need to plan our departure to reach Land's End and Lizard Point at the right moment for favourable tides. We'll report on our progess in a couple of days' time.</span><p></p><p><br /></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-77578101283847657302022-07-19T09:37:00.000+01:002022-07-19T09:37:03.971+01:00Into Ireland<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxGqbIXC8TBTKHZKzfb0bb-dd4DJhL_MKN1grNZw1rg9W7RRh-FJRmmT3NEMpRW_SoTHUGd1Ct1DauNx_J16Ua92DORmmNL-YdFeafKz-S0hu28JLwiXAX8-eIY7TUp0pFdXXuxmkJDTC9j098F3P8mP_-HZwGrWofevnGrN57z9HvGwpDX9k_TV8/s2159/IMG_4157lr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="971" data-original-width="2159" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxGqbIXC8TBTKHZKzfb0bb-dd4DJhL_MKN1grNZw1rg9W7RRh-FJRmmT3NEMpRW_SoTHUGd1Ct1DauNx_J16Ua92DORmmNL-YdFeafKz-S0hu28JLwiXAX8-eIY7TUp0pFdXXuxmkJDTC9j098F3P8mP_-HZwGrWofevnGrN57z9HvGwpDX9k_TV8/w640-h288/IMG_4157lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Howth Marina at Low Water</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The passage south from Islay went perfectly, though the 3.30am alarm clock call wasn't greeted with huge enthusiasm. Once we set sail, though, we had excellent beam-reaching sailing and our Orkney Tides Masterclass seems to have paid off; we picked up the fast-flowing, south-going tide off Rathlin Island and carried it all the way south.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLqqf4a9A5iSMvzXfhSfd2far59AqDmW_BeCbJkoLzDR2SV8SNtv5OjhhoXNJRhDtX1WTKJJgHVDXOiGMcHY_lb1StgmeqF5FHUOfh2ePQBCuavZLr18uL9YnixMGdm7_H3IODLivigMBkwVIFIi5ANayBaXea9C3rmmV5GG27PPCjFCccx2DboTl/s1369/IMG_E0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1369" data-original-width="1174" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLqqf4a9A5iSMvzXfhSfd2far59AqDmW_BeCbJkoLzDR2SV8SNtv5OjhhoXNJRhDtX1WTKJJgHVDXOiGMcHY_lb1StgmeqF5FHUOfh2ePQBCuavZLr18uL9YnixMGdm7_H3IODLivigMBkwVIFIi5ANayBaXea9C3rmmV5GG27PPCjFCccx2DboTl/w548-h640/IMG_E0062.JPG" width="548" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The wind began to falter as we came in to the lee of the land but we decided to continue on to Bangor, completing the 63nm passage in just over 9 hours.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">After an overnight stop in Bangor, it was another relatively early start for the 89nm passage down to Howth, just north of Dublin. Again we had good tidal assistance but slightly fickle winds so there was a mix of sailing and motor-sailing, with about 15 dolphins coming to join us for 20 minutes on route.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg138yWmt0lBhZcW-4PFItz7-MFGzDaf98o-CwiXVcAtTpm0sIC46LtkgS2UOhVWsjMy3ImmN2MslfoEguue_aHyr0X_NEIHtxJXO_aGWWK2e3Vq8XzpQQqxMPzSCjasxqdxiuDGqSsTggr4UQSOfMQcKneBmXTX37rjh5K7KoDB7ZHLY_Fc19e0Sl9/s1607/IMG_E0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1607" data-original-width="1470" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg138yWmt0lBhZcW-4PFItz7-MFGzDaf98o-CwiXVcAtTpm0sIC46LtkgS2UOhVWsjMy3ImmN2MslfoEguue_aHyr0X_NEIHtxJXO_aGWWK2e3Vq8XzpQQqxMPzSCjasxqdxiuDGqSsTggr4UQSOfMQcKneBmXTX37rjh5K7KoDB7ZHLY_Fc19e0Sl9/w586-h640/IMG_E0063.JPG" width="586" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Our 7.00pm arrival in Howth was about 90 minutes before Low Water and we called the Howth Yacht Club on the VHF for advice on water depths. The very helpful chap who responded explained that the harbour has silted up and it'd be marginal as to whether we'd get in. He advised that we should either wait at anchor for about 3 hours (for the rising tide) or else 'have a good run at it!'. The silty mud is very soft so we reckoned that the worst that could happen would be us sliding to an ignominious halt in full view of all the locals watching from the Yacht Club terrace.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We're glad to report that we made it to our marina berth, though for the last 100m the depth-sounder showed only 1.5m of water and Maunie draws 1.8m! We ploughed a neat furrow through the silt thanks to our momentum and a healthy dose of engine power. At full low-tide we could see just how silted the harbour has become:</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9H8HalxAxWAtqTxtL2N5-y-rMhhzpU5MYMjf1ik09DzUlhyyt0ahKr72gTNx_hzH_Ju6g4-02NfIUZa0CqmSCeHZBzdss11hDLcYWFDfsdyOIEGItDqHPUqRYZneQXSFRsqUjwr-xaIZ8KLn57fMNXkFNAiKEDL5aF1M-LlduoWsrm4A8eOEHOyh/s1900/IMG_0411lr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1103" data-original-width="1900" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9H8HalxAxWAtqTxtL2N5-y-rMhhzpU5MYMjf1ik09DzUlhyyt0ahKr72gTNx_hzH_Ju6g4-02NfIUZa0CqmSCeHZBzdss11hDLcYWFDfsdyOIEGItDqHPUqRYZneQXSFRsqUjwr-xaIZ8KLn57fMNXkFNAiKEDL5aF1M-LlduoWsrm4A8eOEHOyh/w640-h372/IMG_0411lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to Howth Harbour. The old lighthouse is no longer functional but is still inhabited</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfWr9d46Dw68ahGFNfbVQ8Q_jqRmtupKM652uSf59V461cKXObd1WGL8RiV5aeLaq7Ef_NiRLwZjgq-ipXdpLb_Hv30kTQxoKIxRFRS1z3eY026yzsAPVmkjA7FchGav_YPUDmhme31Gxj83K9vb3QIwSi0szUtZ6Cv70rvSYrJnO7OIj2Rz3vZyX/s1805/IMG_0407lr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="1805" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfWr9d46Dw68ahGFNfbVQ8Q_jqRmtupKM652uSf59V461cKXObd1WGL8RiV5aeLaq7Ef_NiRLwZjgq-ipXdpLb_Hv30kTQxoKIxRFRS1z3eY026yzsAPVmkjA7FchGav_YPUDmhme31Gxj83K9vb3QIwSi0szUtZ6Cv70rvSYrJnO7OIj2Rz3vZyX/w640-h412/IMG_0407lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final approach to Howth marina. The Yacht Club is the blue and white roofed building</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUyO9NuCIYVCogVm30Ger8iATOKPy7BQhu3f4Qh9wPOtHszjhczKqdjyNe2X8Xl2K9AcWalZLT1VqdgEcCxGuec1YQJIBjl5UuX3BLRzptiTg43BmFnW2_8fSYKVrEn3xiRObTyGgBYWt-ipBd_NvxcxZ-Pp0Es4hJ34Pr6aKaGQ-97na8ZhXB8fN/s2015/IMG_0409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="2015" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUyO9NuCIYVCogVm30Ger8iATOKPy7BQhu3f4Qh9wPOtHszjhczKqdjyNe2X8Xl2K9AcWalZLT1VqdgEcCxGuec1YQJIBjl5UuX3BLRzptiTg43BmFnW2_8fSYKVrEn3xiRObTyGgBYWt-ipBd_NvxcxZ-Pp0Es4hJ34Pr6aKaGQ-97na8ZhXB8fN/w640-h330/IMG_0409.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXOGNKKK-34hfKZKZtVT8_QavIuOyIMv4k8UPOzcrv11SKUYolIkJTpm2jlVCI0GNtx5AP1XGTca2JnMj8i96o5wrnscfs3FChBc4vup7peGxgal3YnAUmXSXEBIWKYn3_AXrTsX11o8q-wQ4ZvSPu7wyDrZzwf7KVFskqrBvAhXYG1zEEks7LjsW/s1845/IMG_0410%20lr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1845" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXOGNKKK-34hfKZKZtVT8_QavIuOyIMv4k8UPOzcrv11SKUYolIkJTpm2jlVCI0GNtx5AP1XGTca2JnMj8i96o5wrnscfs3FChBc4vup7peGxgal3YnAUmXSXEBIWKYn3_AXrTsX11o8q-wQ4ZvSPu7wyDrZzwf7KVFskqrBvAhXYG1zEEks7LjsW/w640-h394/IMG_0410%20lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The marina at Low Water - most of the boats have their keels stuck in the soft mud</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Howth is a busy fishing port but also a seaside town for Dubliners, connected to the city by a frequent 30-minute DART train service. The Yacht Club is the largest in Ireland and has a competitive racing fleet. There's a fleet of one-design wooden boats called Howth 17's which race twice a week; most of them are about 110 years old.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MsuV7m_GCGpqjAZMTOxLarXtcr-GPV6DsRPn5juDXUCMVL3He20H9AVc89RcAl7VKKkvoTASmBur2Bs24KKEW0aSOk4B_aMnkYVqJG38FnzymsifuQmcpAyY0WMlwZlsH1Eo9W11EZSuiJg77vJtDqWemesskDX4xKHp41t95ygCl4V-V5nvDYDl/s2043/IMG_0415lr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="2043" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MsuV7m_GCGpqjAZMTOxLarXtcr-GPV6DsRPn5juDXUCMVL3He20H9AVc89RcAl7VKKkvoTASmBur2Bs24KKEW0aSOk4B_aMnkYVqJG38FnzymsifuQmcpAyY0WMlwZlsH1Eo9W11EZSuiJg77vJtDqWemesskDX4xKHp41t95ygCl4V-V5nvDYDl/w640-h322/IMG_0415lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We've been here for a few days while the winds have blown steadily from the south and the temperatures have risen. Our trip into Dublin yesterday coincided with the hottest day recorded in 135 years - 33.1 degrees in the city - but nevertheless we enjoyed seeing the place. It was, however, crowded with foreign tourists (that category includes us, we suppose), it seemed strewn with litter and, after several days of no rain, a city with thousands of bars and not enough public toilets smelt chiefly of impatience.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Talking of which, we're impatient to get moving again. The heatwave will end today with the welcome (for us) switch to northerly winds so we'll head off tomorrow morning for the little harbour in Arklow, about 40nm further south. After that we'll probably head on to Kilmore Quay, at the very SE corner of Ireland to plan the 130nm crossing to the Isles of Scilly.</span></p>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-29719907421388363802022-07-13T18:56:00.005+01:002022-07-13T18:58:17.271+01:00Completing the Scottish Loop<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2mhvLruXKmPt5Oxkfz_5_RlcTrskFAQLwkXnEDhTMZkI5PapL_APxzC5hR5NMJC8uMktnan2EwUdkQj1cFHXMwo3J_c1nhbx8rARvSmJXCYucWmhfZ8StjYw6tFfCLkL-FG4SkHH00rsNyKlu_R2tbWk6p4d1MBFEhei9vnimU7KZZIuKJakn_bF/s2429/FILE00603mr.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="2429" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2mhvLruXKmPt5Oxkfz_5_RlcTrskFAQLwkXnEDhTMZkI5PapL_APxzC5hR5NMJC8uMktnan2EwUdkQj1cFHXMwo3J_c1nhbx8rARvSmJXCYucWmhfZ8StjYw6tFfCLkL-FG4SkHH00rsNyKlu_R2tbWk6p4d1MBFEhei9vnimU7KZZIuKJakn_bF/w640-h228/FILE00603mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craighouse, Jura. The community provides moorings (£12 per night) as kelp on the seabed can make anchoring tricky</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Yesterday we arrived in Craighouse, the only village on the island of Jura. It was an 05.30 start from the anchorage in Puilladobhrain to catch the south-going tide through the Sound of Luing (where we had over four knots of current behind us, causing the water to swirl and boil impressively), we then passed the fearsome Corryvreckan, where dangerous whirlpools form, and hugged the east coast of Jura as we headed south. All of this happened in drizzle and less than 500m visibility, so it was wonderful to have the skies clear and the warm sun appear in the afternoon. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2eF0hzqwkvHkQXdnM7GWzGYFj8k7Ph9HhmTpnolY8Q4R7DAFn8xt6wFTMIgLgBaaC3kWJ_VZ33sgbwzh-dslJigT-IeB5Z8Bz--hBv25UAMSwm25Ti0YpUNRpqOFCGftpZwsu1zmjhmqgWPgTdBcxZx_jshrelYuhKpKXRyehy0i1kb4IDYO6Nz9/s2057/IMG_E0061.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2057" data-original-width="1357" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2eF0hzqwkvHkQXdnM7GWzGYFj8k7Ph9HhmTpnolY8Q4R7DAFn8xt6wFTMIgLgBaaC3kWJ_VZ33sgbwzh-dslJigT-IeB5Z8Bz--hBv25UAMSwm25Ti0YpUNRpqOFCGftpZwsu1zmjhmqgWPgTdBcxZx_jshrelYuhKpKXRyehy0i1kb4IDYO6Nz9/w422-h640/IMG_E0061.JPG" width="422" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The route down the east coast of of Jura and on to Islay</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A visit ashore allowed Graham to sample some excellent Jura whisky at the distillery and we had a good pub supper in the Jura Hotel. The availability of food at the hotel wasn’t a given – like a lot of places up here, Brexit has been very bad news for the hospitality industry, with too few locals available to fill roles that used to be done by Europeans coming over to work. At the moment the hotel can’t provide lunchtime meals and evening meals are only available five nights a week. One can only hope that Jacob Rees-Mogg might come up here with his family on holiday to experience the reality!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzO-wX1yccAskJWLRQRWo_-QiK_-HHyTF2RLoGkMkAnQFP0C1RthxjYtVFfKLArz2JzWoW8HURMfcDVAe7X82NPV7wmy_UKKdKJeQeOg1BboYIW55NJrzv3-ndj7A-DmbTLMD5vVLJZiK3KA0pAzqgLDNTRpVKT65ziCMGfdeiD0eT1J02_rEVrFq/s2136/FILE00610mr.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="2136" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzO-wX1yccAskJWLRQRWo_-QiK_-HHyTF2RLoGkMkAnQFP0C1RthxjYtVFfKLArz2JzWoW8HURMfcDVAe7X82NPV7wmy_UKKdKJeQeOg1BboYIW55NJrzv3-ndj7A-DmbTLMD5vVLJZiK3KA0pAzqgLDNTRpVKT65ziCMGfdeiD0eT1J02_rEVrFq/w640-h294/FILE00610mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Paps of Jura in the background - they are often shrouded in cloud!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Today was another early start to gain tidal assistance for the passage down to Port Ellen on Islay. We had great sailing in gusty Force 5-6 conditions. Our arrival in Port Ellen marks a milestone for this cruise – we crossed our incoming track to complete our Scottish Loop – we’ve sailed 822nm since we were last here on the 16th of May. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3vPFtNSMuH_-pDe-2zshdEeoZcrBrKVqqDWb3PMwKxe02V4p2WTps_s7usu6xpCP0BU7bBZmoQ-9i2P76Z31PXjJfkStG0N9NJfmOwQPNl9R7XKRolMQSBgBRT9-HwfSq7BVERlH9tKMVFQ6Nwffzvzdl5tqBVyXlAme3hBAvDiOme1c75Dz2d9U/s1517/IMG_E0060.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1517" data-original-width="1274" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3vPFtNSMuH_-pDe-2zshdEeoZcrBrKVqqDWb3PMwKxe02V4p2WTps_s7usu6xpCP0BU7bBZmoQ-9i2P76Z31PXjJfkStG0N9NJfmOwQPNl9R7XKRolMQSBgBRT9-HwfSq7BVERlH9tKMVFQ6Nwffzvzdl5tqBVyXlAme3hBAvDiOme1c75Dz2d9U/w538-h640/IMG_E0060.JPG" width="538" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our clockwise route in red</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">We’re now contemplating the crossing of the North Channel back to Northern Ireland to start picking our way down the Irish Sea. We’ll be sad to leave this amazing part of the world but yesterday’s glimpse of warm sunshine has made us realise that we’ve had really poor weather for most of the trip and we look forward to wearing the shorts and t-shirts that have remained packed in our lockers! There’s another hideously early start (about 04.30) on the cards tomorrow to use the westerly wind and the strong tides to send us south – to Glenarm or maybe further to Bangor if we make good time.</span></p><p><br /></p>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-17824830713526214212022-07-11T16:03:00.000+01:002022-07-11T16:03:38.086+01:00Back to Salt Water<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGApfuHTHcnlyc2ttkaxVAbA-ULw6cgvbX_HHQYbXRjYJuWrz2-lOTmSd3Rfk2HiR634MTPRhbUzQGHHc1WtcIji3yyYvJ4OaG7dpCK25WKirFGahBuJi77aZE1h7eQnScOMPAVcP1_15AoGr0zmOdovW56CMaKF8tGWbLJA_GZmwxcoL4tAzTlQL/s2067/FILE00600mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1014" data-original-width="2067" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGApfuHTHcnlyc2ttkaxVAbA-ULw6cgvbX_HHQYbXRjYJuWrz2-lOTmSd3Rfk2HiR634MTPRhbUzQGHHc1WtcIji3yyYvJ4OaG7dpCK25WKirFGahBuJi77aZE1h7eQnScOMPAVcP1_15AoGr0zmOdovW56CMaKF8tGWbLJA_GZmwxcoL4tAzTlQL/w640-h314/FILE00600mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The canal to the left, the sea to the right</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> After a week in fresh water, Maunie enjoyed the return to the salty stuff yesterday afternoon as we locked out of the Caledonian Canal and into Loch Linnhe.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Our descent of Neptune’s Staircase went very smoothly on Saturday afternoon, we’re glad to report. There wasn’t room to moor up in the Corpach Basin (the last section before the sea lock) but that suited us quite well as we had a very quiet pontoon on the Corpach Reach, just above the final locks, for Saturday night. Sunday was (at last!) warm and sunny so we had a relaxing time waiting for the next group of boats to come down the staircase so that we could join them for the final locks out to sea. Geoff, meanwhile, took a taxi into Fort William at lunchtime to catch his bus to Glasgow and then onwards to Dumfries and home. We really enjoyed his company aboard and were delighted to see him return to top form after a fairly prolonged period of illness. He says that a week on Maunie should be prescribed on the NHS!</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYyYhFA-vOliGVbZ1v1qzplC_3iiBKnpj-M7WbnxRUbwEfpPn6wSAtXg73JOzb4vo0UuBXZI6wIO6ZX_kT73WyR705YpR51ghkTJTbp6Ntsy_m-stfH9d-hAbRH1B6CH1cF1wZcryWftD5kBedtHgmJEpK5skXh6KZb4ww6ekqFKE6fTPhzmdUBkW/s1930/FILE00595mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYyYhFA-vOliGVbZ1v1qzplC_3iiBKnpj-M7WbnxRUbwEfpPn6wSAtXg73JOzb4vo0UuBXZI6wIO6ZX_kT73WyR705YpR51ghkTJTbp6Ntsy_m-stfH9d-hAbRH1B6CH1cF1wZcryWftD5kBedtHgmJEpK5skXh6KZb4ww6ekqFKE6fTPhzmdUBkW/w640-h360/FILE00595mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our final night's pontoon with Ben Nevis behind us</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASrTemdvrxfObxm4imfrZngDnifZ68qC-kwCLsKLkhOwSxEbol5gT6BcHvgupRCgccDLmY-TjC9JcOXgSMfe1WRPKdNRzMmT5z94DiQ6MAx9VQZP2l_0X7-BdO6zWZXd-NFnW-hsyQYa1RwuHDnlPbF8k6LNXdddwG9j05V-QLr1VIE8Iu-6An_FJ/s1930/FILE00597mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASrTemdvrxfObxm4imfrZngDnifZ68qC-kwCLsKLkhOwSxEbol5gT6BcHvgupRCgccDLmY-TjC9JcOXgSMfe1WRPKdNRzMmT5z94DiQ6MAx9VQZP2l_0X7-BdO6zWZXd-NFnW-hsyQYa1RwuHDnlPbF8k6LNXdddwG9j05V-QLr1VIE8Iu-6An_FJ/w640-h360/FILE00597mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Corpach Double Lock, the basin and the sea lock</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHa0GSGcWCUFYQlWxwI6um3P616f7NStVladgVmBLAlHKCguT3Zkv1v2-uKOtEZ4DksaZc9KjID5NcNwf8QVdX1QmhFTY_UadKfGNlc9wj-EAIu07Au-Spht7OVSBwr1Wz5mxBIyX6tr3g1LsOfOl9K9CWtQFRAoNRXDV66S6-x2HXjpF2NW5ZRQS/s1930/FILE00599mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHa0GSGcWCUFYQlWxwI6um3P616f7NStVladgVmBLAlHKCguT3Zkv1v2-uKOtEZ4DksaZc9KjID5NcNwf8QVdX1QmhFTY_UadKfGNlc9wj-EAIu07Au-Spht7OVSBwr1Wz5mxBIyX6tr3g1LsOfOl9K9CWtQFRAoNRXDV66S6-x2HXjpF2NW5ZRQS/w640-h360/FILE00599mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The upper reaches of Loch Linnhe are shallow in places</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The canal team is very short of staff at the moment so Angus, the Corpach lock keeper, had to help his colleague manage the Neptune’s Staircase operation which meant we couldn’t lock out into the sea until just after 4.00pm. However, an earlier departure would have seen us battling adverse tide, so it worked out pretty well for the 18nm passage down to a lovely anchorage called Port Ramsay at the north end of Lismore Island. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Swiss crew of the racy Sea Magix (an X-37) left with us and did a great job beating out of the narrow Loch Linnhe, giving us the chance to get some good action photos for them.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7kPCqIehR1FTl9VkhF6Z5G4iZfg51d9DnJBLUBPtKmww4_msv24bNHqhjQL8ZPvppd2lvxUKIg7D2jXhDdm8qGizRL6a5o-5wVCAKNLrEaKWyjarmTQ3I_jX2lPKbJ2uS-YZJFYr_tEWVhXDU4vKZf3a0Kr-IaM6mSbeIu7L8hpEO9Jop5B0fz1u/s1871/P1080426mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1871" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7kPCqIehR1FTl9VkhF6Z5G4iZfg51d9DnJBLUBPtKmww4_msv24bNHqhjQL8ZPvppd2lvxUKIg7D2jXhDdm8qGizRL6a5o-5wVCAKNLrEaKWyjarmTQ3I_jX2lPKbJ2uS-YZJFYr_tEWVhXDU4vKZf3a0Kr-IaM6mSbeIu7L8hpEO9Jop5B0fz1u/w640-h384/P1080426mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6bC4lCxb0HnAwZcO533JU1nh37WruybfffImImvLkaAAGPcKd58B9GVUuNVU332DWnKTb9lbzXdJ8DM1J7TRBDCiJur8YxeSP-2QYRu7n7K086oTh9Ni6hMfW8RtmCvg9ZNdAE_OrBnBbJf1apiNK-MDgZ5oCE60JfUGBJ96HeyvCfxcTVGHjLak/s1943/P1080431mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1943" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6bC4lCxb0HnAwZcO533JU1nh37WruybfffImImvLkaAAGPcKd58B9GVUuNVU332DWnKTb9lbzXdJ8DM1J7TRBDCiJur8YxeSP-2QYRu7n7K086oTh9Ni6hMfW8RtmCvg9ZNdAE_OrBnBbJf1apiNK-MDgZ5oCE60JfUGBJ96HeyvCfxcTVGHjLak/w640-h356/P1080431mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Maunie, on the other hand, had a dinner date to meet so we motor-sailed for best speed to anchor at Lismore just before 8.00pm. In the process we were delighted to discover that a week in fresh water, aided no doubt by the thrash to windward up Loch Ness, had killed the fine layer of furry weed that had started to adhere to the hull and propeller, so our boat speed is now restored to normal; we’d noticed it being a few tenths of a knot slower than usual as we came down from Orkney. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Already in the anchorage were Colin and Ana in their new boat Celtic Spirit, a Rustler 36. They came over for supper on Maunie and it was wonderful to see them, albeit briefly. Family duties meant they left the anchorage early this morning to return home so we’ve missed out on cruising in company at least for this year.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSUfkHTx3zHmzZHThLxXIL60bQo6cl5hGubtI60PsXqFNPCceJBsC3rIPw7GRx-XmbtFPINGPc0x9yHAi7qsQ3FrJaToL7bLLWjO0-DqxVXEcJs_3WHA6YVfc-Ci1EXuAQDrgphX6NXeAWtqefquCnDtuIvBPd3CiaHDPsmm4OonLr293tpEqBqne/s1930/P1080441mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSUfkHTx3zHmzZHThLxXIL60bQo6cl5hGubtI60PsXqFNPCceJBsC3rIPw7GRx-XmbtFPINGPc0x9yHAi7qsQ3FrJaToL7bLLWjO0-DqxVXEcJs_3WHA6YVfc-Ci1EXuAQDrgphX6NXeAWtqefquCnDtuIvBPd3CiaHDPsmm4OonLr293tpEqBqne/w640-h360/P1080441mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbffJMgTO-AcB9aJA78D8zmvOqGeca-4v4_FIFw36yvK1FW2FjvsQsW27-c9__pGYJE9cTa6fF2RUIKP-eraUdoTTPWQDikp-VqaKx_QRoGECV-kozARJ1Bpr-mGq9RdsLF6rYrQepI096fxxIKjNf0TiRoFNWgWAf7oqX3_Ut38MV7Qp9HJYApV74/s2104/P1080443mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="2104" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbffJMgTO-AcB9aJA78D8zmvOqGeca-4v4_FIFw36yvK1FW2FjvsQsW27-c9__pGYJE9cTa6fF2RUIKP-eraUdoTTPWQDikp-VqaKx_QRoGECV-kozARJ1Bpr-mGq9RdsLF6rYrQepI096fxxIKjNf0TiRoFNWgWAf7oqX3_Ut38MV7Qp9HJYApV74/w640-h302/P1080443mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We motored south in another flat calm to anchor in Puilladobhrain, arriving at 11.00am; last time we were here was a year ago with Adam & Cindi and Bravo. As predicted, a brisk southerly wind has now arrived but the anchorage is well sheltered and the holding is soft mud. We’re hoping that the breeze will reduce a little and veer to the west tomorrow to allow us to sail south.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We have about three weeks left of this cruise so, although we really don’t want to leave this beautiful part of Britain, we need to start planning the trip back down the Irish Sea. We certainly don’t want to repeat last year’s experience of motoring most of the way, so we’ll be watching for any signs of west or northwest winds to make some good progress back towards Dartmouth. The trip might involve a stop in the Republic of Ireland so we need to brush up on the post-Brexit regulations on clearing out of the UK and into Ireland. What a bloody palaver; thanks, Boris, for nothing!</span></p><div><br /></div>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-70197399110924887272022-07-09T10:14:00.000+01:002022-07-09T10:14:13.329+01:00A Technical Hitch on the Caledonian Canal<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhTNyUxfV3cgWK4JaWArc_HmYoUnD_hoQPR2sIpvCqx0eTZXyoD2hub9eawHUMI7KOSKi6wIMVqy1XiCHrjjE3FUrZJKcSWZPcMjFVJe6WqeXlafZZ-0qRJZnGx3A2owjFgQEYxDcWK05bFrcxlp3QEoCZn8h28gwLCHuuQ6AYF_GiBvzCXs7fIRo/s2048/FILE00576mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhTNyUxfV3cgWK4JaWArc_HmYoUnD_hoQPR2sIpvCqx0eTZXyoD2hub9eawHUMI7KOSKi6wIMVqy1XiCHrjjE3FUrZJKcSWZPcMjFVJe6WqeXlafZZ-0qRJZnGx3A2owjFgQEYxDcWK05bFrcxlp3QEoCZn8h28gwLCHuuQ6AYF_GiBvzCXs7fIRo/w640-h320/FILE00576mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up Neptune's Staircase at Banavie</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We are getting towards the end of our canal adventure but there's been a bit of a problem. We arrived at Banavie basin, above the 8-lock set known as Neptune's Staircase, just after lunch and had the option to join a cohort of boats locking down that afternoon.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmRmkHXMC_GU4z8r1a2ldq3ZsDRgtqpxj8Z_VEChZHpyOEt7n9JTaCcHEKHg153GnFidFMRvlSK46tDxca5PG1XpCQQxn55o759cAEktoiiJvB7mhQ-3TONvaLm3D8sO2199zfL_GixGfVMpFLBX3u4t597u-S4tMvY4zDpHhA55V-_W9dGiY4NB3/s1931/FILE00587mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1931" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmRmkHXMC_GU4z8r1a2ldq3ZsDRgtqpxj8Z_VEChZHpyOEt7n9JTaCcHEKHg153GnFidFMRvlSK46tDxca5PG1XpCQQxn55o759cAEktoiiJvB7mhQ-3TONvaLm3D8sO2199zfL_GixGfVMpFLBX3u4t597u-S4tMvY4zDpHhA55V-_W9dGiY4NB3/w640-h360/FILE00587mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maunie in the foreground</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJf-t4mNS_9kDkVe-KG0LSH2EPw9Y7fmiHyRG2EORNUKXkPv7IV2jJIENJsWxyS0vyPXbnx4wQWIYKUDr_nZXQp3mI5xOZZHFdix3yWuFSoNQe4bAJiPchJUC7J4OXlVWRiJU-xXyjeLu9wvI8ood5ygVZMooKkYWHijZD_-8gLWSbs9eKIAHyq1y/s1708/FILE00581mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1227" data-original-width="1708" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJf-t4mNS_9kDkVe-KG0LSH2EPw9Y7fmiHyRG2EORNUKXkPv7IV2jJIENJsWxyS0vyPXbnx4wQWIYKUDr_nZXQp3mI5xOZZHFdix3yWuFSoNQe4bAJiPchJUC7J4OXlVWRiJU-xXyjeLu9wvI8ood5ygVZMooKkYWHijZD_-8gLWSbs9eKIAHyq1y/w640-h460/FILE00581mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking towards Neptune's Staircase and the sea beyond it</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Thankfully, as it turned out, we decided that we'd go through the following day so had a relaxed afternoon watching the boats work down the locks.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhne0hXKR3HavGee3CBWTJbPbpCRfUGNj82J44Hu3hNYFjKYqYjIMQeWVvu6jWZWotUqNYBUf0K723mhnwGBv8Qx_8imEYzq3hl20AqKOIs0neVP3thsZCkC8S1k9hS1tZNmXDlcxw57yuMbUWXw7r4SCMwcCmQPEt0F66BUGUF3hDnmE2-2dJ4wx9d/s1930/P1080422mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhne0hXKR3HavGee3CBWTJbPbpCRfUGNj82J44Hu3hNYFjKYqYjIMQeWVvu6jWZWotUqNYBUf0K723mhnwGBv8Qx_8imEYzq3hl20AqKOIs0neVP3thsZCkC8S1k9hS1tZNmXDlcxw57yuMbUWXw7r4SCMwcCmQPEt0F66BUGUF3hDnmE2-2dJ4wx9d/w640-h360/P1080422mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A multi-cultural group - two Swiss, two Norwegian and a Swedish boat</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The process took nearly two hours and all went very smoothly until the bottom lock. The lock gates opened, the road traffic stopped but the swing bridge decided not to swing. Alarms sounded as the hydraulic system overloaded and tripped out, leaving the boats trapped while the lock keepers tried to get the bridge to move. After about 15 minutes they managed to get the hydraulic jacks that support the roadway back into the locked position to allow cars to cross but it was clear that the boats were going nowhere, even though they were so tantalisingly close to the exit to the canal.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjL5S-Mg-BqABmhJhOoxbuupOLQZnrkh683nQNQ6_7Xg5ilWLWeGEzgZS8hRN5p0lXg9oygkV6U5__nTzH8Lrf2P0bsUipW030Enjm9oN_fRT-I4b9fdPUARXhGL0LP4Q2VJ2FAlyy82xo00rNoeXo-NvrdFK5Ad4JzzBSRXYxLAes-V2FThHWy7xo/s1930/FILE00570mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjL5S-Mg-BqABmhJhOoxbuupOLQZnrkh683nQNQ6_7Xg5ilWLWeGEzgZS8hRN5p0lXg9oygkV6U5__nTzH8Lrf2P0bsUipW030Enjm9oN_fRT-I4b9fdPUARXhGL0LP4Q2VJ2FAlyy82xo00rNoeXo-NvrdFK5Ad4JzzBSRXYxLAes-V2FThHWy7xo/w640-h360/FILE00570mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking past the road and rail bridges to the Corpach sea lock.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">With the engineer having to drive up from Glasgow (and no guarantee that he'd be able to fix the fault quickly), the lock keepers told the crews that </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">unfortunately</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> they would have to go back the way they had come. Apparently it's not safe to leave boats in the lock chambers overnight due to the turbulent water that has to flow through them continuously when not in use. Meanwhile the keepers had to juggle with the sluice gates as the delayed exit meant that water started to pour over the top of the lock gate above the boats.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGVbnRp9Z8cyhDGnkzNLrLg-XdYMZENGHPUVbfCTgZzeBsypt54aT5j76anW7AIIqczsDvXrEWyyzGN2CZ8XRvIAqAWN01pQSWv7E9UWRT2wnywzaBYVmTFr4q9BHOHLp4r0zrBViw00ZtfjOIuflcqEZDKO0emMZHU_sycRLmO379Fx-wwQBpynN/s1930/P1080423mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1930" data-original-width="1086" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGVbnRp9Z8cyhDGnkzNLrLg-XdYMZENGHPUVbfCTgZzeBsypt54aT5j76anW7AIIqczsDvXrEWyyzGN2CZ8XRvIAqAWN01pQSWv7E9UWRT2wnywzaBYVmTFr4q9BHOHLp4r0zrBViw00ZtfjOIuflcqEZDKO0emMZHU_sycRLmO379Fx-wwQBpynN/w360-h640/P1080423mr.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So the poor yachts had to reverse up, lock by lock, at a much slower pace - the incoming water buffeted the rudders of the upstream boats so the sluices had to be opened an inch at a time. It took almost four hours to get back to the upper canal. The crews were remarkably good humoured about it all and the lock keepers did a great job, so there was no damage to the yachts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The good news is that the bridge has now been repaired so boats will be able to move today. We'll wait to see what that means for our own timings to head west to return to salt water.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-49273334220093003462022-07-07T18:16:00.000+01:002022-07-07T18:16:21.899+01:00Leaving Orkney and Searching for Nessie<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBUoTyYf1JF3Cz3JzBTUkGpFSPtCO3ZOrY_-PuisRnSUjw5vDbiIxnoI7M1uYIGLb1iMGwUBb7e25QQqEtT5QgBxdYWRnSafP7xDz-21w-oh5KoS8LplljT80bX5KI87TMbGTWOMpuBTqYthapb81GGSTXdxb-yQEFKjdu6m1svmuDDHosp2bbBbF/s2038/InkedFILE00560mr_LI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="2038" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBUoTyYf1JF3Cz3JzBTUkGpFSPtCO3ZOrY_-PuisRnSUjw5vDbiIxnoI7M1uYIGLb1iMGwUBb7e25QQqEtT5QgBxdYWRnSafP7xDz-21w-oh5KoS8LplljT80bX5KI87TMbGTWOMpuBTqYthapb81GGSTXdxb-yQEFKjdu6m1svmuDDHosp2bbBbF/w640-h322/InkedFILE00560mr_LI.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise over Loch Ness</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Our trip across the fearsome Pentland Firth, where peak tides create fierce white-water standing waves that threaten the safety of even large vessels at the wrong time, was perfectly calm. The anchorage in East Weddel Sound, next to one of the Churchill Barriers, allowed us to reach the southern tip of South Ronaldsay, 11nm away, at the optimum moment.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGFEwhR6wBGHxIIHAkcIjHlAngz1EY1f9mTEHY01p5xs2N7uwbKN6WxgKWSxB07VDqcroNtbg2n_PVN4k9WqgT5M84Qectxg-GW6ZeKtB9N2Fbflz_NXtGWdgSdB-Tq036WChvmKWQwo3HIaAiz1BMd4xRj6_AJLI17iOePtn0byXsPCwjWvd4kU_/s1930/P1080359mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGFEwhR6wBGHxIIHAkcIjHlAngz1EY1f9mTEHY01p5xs2N7uwbKN6WxgKWSxB07VDqcroNtbg2n_PVN4k9WqgT5M84Qectxg-GW6ZeKtB9N2Fbflz_NXtGWdgSdB-Tq036WChvmKWQwo3HIaAiz1BMd4xRj6_AJLI17iOePtn0byXsPCwjWvd4kU_/w640-h360/P1080359mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our final Orkney anchorage - with the wreck of a blockship beside the Churchill Barrier</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The complete absence of wind meant that, apart from a little left-over swell, the 30nm passage to Wick was an easy motor and the approach to Wick Harbour, which can be tricky in strong SE winds, was a doddle. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTy7xmEVhXABiwfxJvpUoEONRfUGGlC0jSySmc1Pe4RuwJwCYKm4DR-cWsV1Td2Uanm1NMJVKh02-IZwR8ZxiMAqlE07j4bqQ57hHPG61_Ud5BgkK1tpKUmN08iPsyBXtgu6VUku9JoyxZ5tuYv2MXLrokIb7ebHwLVsaeFtzafKOYUBK7qN7lLan/s1337/IMG_0057%20j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1337" data-original-width="832" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTy7xmEVhXABiwfxJvpUoEONRfUGGlC0jSySmc1Pe4RuwJwCYKm4DR-cWsV1Td2Uanm1NMJVKh02-IZwR8ZxiMAqlE07j4bqQ57hHPG61_Ud5BgkK1tpKUmN08iPsyBXtgu6VUku9JoyxZ5tuYv2MXLrokIb7ebHwLVsaeFtzafKOYUBK7qN7lLan/w398-h640/IMG_0057%20j.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The route back (in pink) to the mainland</td></tr></tbody></table><br />We rather liked Wick for its industrial history and architecture, although the town centre is pretty impoverished, with lots of empty shops and a faintly depressed air.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAy5GYMjqkizMnzyGGSBwKUVQQp15ALc6SAEOw9tezwKL6evCfP3Y7oz10pBm4zJgSWKNiYt4SF_YrvrwZWHRoaJr70p-M9vtubN9g7-Q9N0vCxVsn0D4ztVNQoInea33Uw-Uh4ZlVZVWzxuH0Bnoc_bV1LzMPzDgorRkgs1wE0dZlWCat3ZfWony/s2386/P1080368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="2386" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAy5GYMjqkizMnzyGGSBwKUVQQp15ALc6SAEOw9tezwKL6evCfP3Y7oz10pBm4zJgSWKNiYt4SF_YrvrwZWHRoaJr70p-M9vtubN9g7-Q9N0vCxVsn0D4ztVNQoInea33Uw-Uh4ZlVZVWzxuH0Bnoc_bV1LzMPzDgorRkgs1wE0dZlWCat3ZfWony/w640-h206/P1080368.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The middle and inner harbours of Wick, with the little marina to the left</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbfNdvVv92PS4lEHA2ISGJtIVfUD57DKR55VO5gW_byqxBlvs3TRajS5bDbqhghYFjkS9UwVqX5ehvR_rRD0FPIoTpvJUqNRfJMMNpJs1K1epbn2bzzOJBVb9ZoPM1Y-v1ulgwhmSs3Jf27CjN6gKZf2RQP3PkTSpoAnCMAoZ0jOkVly74vs3z9Cb/s2123/P1080376mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="2123" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbfNdvVv92PS4lEHA2ISGJtIVfUD57DKR55VO5gW_byqxBlvs3TRajS5bDbqhghYFjkS9UwVqX5ehvR_rRD0FPIoTpvJUqNRfJMMNpJs1K1epbn2bzzOJBVb9ZoPM1Y-v1ulgwhmSs3Jf27CjN6gKZf2RQP3PkTSpoAnCMAoZ0jOkVly74vs3z9Cb/w640-h298/P1080376mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The harbour in rather busier times, with a huge fleet of herring drifters</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In the heyday of the herring fishing boom, the massive harbour was built by Thomas Telford (who was also responsible for the design of the Caledonian Canal) and a new settlement called Pultneytown was commissioned by Sir William Pultney to both service the increasing fishing fleet and to provide jobs and good accommodation for Gaels evicted from the land during the Highland Clearances in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Sir William’s legacy is an impressive set of buildings, some of which are sadly in need of restoration.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2I5kfr7B-JwxF3WzXOO207Jmq0ci2T719Mz6JH3CbE1Nm4tvp76qljDVXayDwHURl-lKv8AEojU1bKACnzz91jFp2HkeNbnhKANMP0NTakfnZR6FPjCo9It1tTdWN2FEQR1My_nchUAKj8SLOucK1p02YZGSPS-2z9a4Yj77BxA0GWmGxA5Qobzwt/s1930/P1080369mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2I5kfr7B-JwxF3WzXOO207Jmq0ci2T719Mz6JH3CbE1Nm4tvp76qljDVXayDwHURl-lKv8AEojU1bKACnzz91jFp2HkeNbnhKANMP0NTakfnZR6FPjCo9It1tTdWN2FEQR1My_nchUAKj8SLOucK1p02YZGSPS-2z9a4Yj77BxA0GWmGxA5Qobzwt/w640-h360/P1080369mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting building in need of a new purpose</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdrUbqkd74w2lOhiwPqCluI8snS88mnsm-uRPSX7tPgh86IIK4Ov6rTIosiaZQP7QazjEo-weW4JyF5CQ86TCrUnjan3Rm6O1jD6UFrPkyB2tbk__itUHclMTZwGH8_VG8zW6Y03UwbMh5_l9JYAewXRBO7FfF1PyObJzWxIrF-3NugGq47c1W14P/s1930/P1080371mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdrUbqkd74w2lOhiwPqCluI8snS88mnsm-uRPSX7tPgh86IIK4Ov6rTIosiaZQP7QazjEo-weW4JyF5CQ86TCrUnjan3Rm6O1jD6UFrPkyB2tbk__itUHclMTZwGH8_VG8zW6Y03UwbMh5_l9JYAewXRBO7FfF1PyObJzWxIrF-3NugGq47c1W14P/w640-h360/P1080371mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Managers' houses...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzcAMz3Nnhg5eeHc5XIgHz-L_lj4OyOVjGu-i9Adg5RhGc9upgfQ0hwAEouep5eWOvkrWTc707gzH_XwtJ5oNNCylIG38MV9L9-ZPrGpSEPJlDW9bjbssZW4HbIx5IqgazYlZiTJZYKYGmJV_MjpCVEWw5oMnuF_3Np-mcRNctLUL5LnYCB-DQ5Zb/s1930/P1080372mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzcAMz3Nnhg5eeHc5XIgHz-L_lj4OyOVjGu-i9Adg5RhGc9upgfQ0hwAEouep5eWOvkrWTc707gzH_XwtJ5oNNCylIG38MV9L9-ZPrGpSEPJlDW9bjbssZW4HbIx5IqgazYlZiTJZYKYGmJV_MjpCVEWw5oMnuF_3Np-mcRNctLUL5LnYCB-DQ5Zb/w640-h360/P1080372mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... and workers' cottages</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7Jt5ewSpNHaMUmEIegvlj-cfq3ZAsSgGUwmctJjYqpL6iVmjws4QHK5yKBMPQQ_mgJHza0FZoGpCf8ZxKQAnzGgbJBb5ILLADihqdxTe7_teUkJ8A17zDH_dHD7nfPFEuQkg_r_ybQ1x4N7vdTk1UKklrHk7aSqPIFp-K9cs3m-0FvDVvKZ787q4/s1930/P1080378mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7Jt5ewSpNHaMUmEIegvlj-cfq3ZAsSgGUwmctJjYqpL6iVmjws4QHK5yKBMPQQ_mgJHza0FZoGpCf8ZxKQAnzGgbJBb5ILLADihqdxTe7_teUkJ8A17zDH_dHD7nfPFEuQkg_r_ybQ1x4N7vdTk1UKklrHk7aSqPIFp-K9cs3m-0FvDVvKZ787q4/w640-h360/P1080378mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWX5BWGxa1DDz6vuy20FrGE2fR9LcQRatQXac4gbb3f8Ub620YEN79VMu4aD_OLkHDeowLndBvR9My5nIKIGSvsfq0a3D9Hxq9ak0epTW1vDic7_1pNIMK5I6VNia-tYJuJXEV4ToZ1o6IoE5jy1hZjOWrwgeUORXZ3ZCBTwMhWD3VXQ7f56Npg5Hd/s1930/P1080379mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWX5BWGxa1DDz6vuy20FrGE2fR9LcQRatQXac4gbb3f8Ub620YEN79VMu4aD_OLkHDeowLndBvR9My5nIKIGSvsfq0a3D9Hxq9ak0epTW1vDic7_1pNIMK5I6VNia-tYJuJXEV4ToZ1o6IoE5jy1hZjOWrwgeUORXZ3ZCBTwMhWD3VXQ7f56Npg5Hd/w640-h360/P1080379mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Wick’s fishing boom and the 1980’s oil boom are distant memories but there’s a new industry in town that’s creating some C21 jobs; a huge offshore wind farm is being extended, so vast supply vessels are based in Wick harbour to support it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Our onward passage from Wick to Inverness had to be re-planned slightly. The calm weather that finally followed a long period of strong winds had suddenly encouraged an armada of yachts to head towards the Caledonian Canal so it transpired that Inverness Marina was fully booked. We therefore decided to make the 70mn coastal passage to an overnight anchorage in Cromarty Firth and took a break from the motoring (no wind at all) to investigate the little harbour of Helmsdale.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tBLEiW-z_PRxWKMsIqCRMPU2Z9FL8wKLiCfadaAyiDRlFUDQyYO87ppLHFNIX-d4v1cAkpHIfd4w_X7xyL4XVQCD2NiUl3dXzepR8qBs74RRAb3CT6qW3dhR6-PD2BWM6OCTax99392lZ4QtM9Mrop3T674W8AazBzgcfrGTtNbV51XQhgrCZXPc/s1263/IMG_0058%20j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1263" data-original-width="1148" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tBLEiW-z_PRxWKMsIqCRMPU2Z9FL8wKLiCfadaAyiDRlFUDQyYO87ppLHFNIX-d4v1cAkpHIfd4w_X7xyL4XVQCD2NiUl3dXzepR8qBs74RRAb3CT6qW3dhR6-PD2BWM6OCTax99392lZ4QtM9Mrop3T674W8AazBzgcfrGTtNbV51XQhgrCZXPc/w582-h640/IMG_0058%20j.jpg" width="582" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The straight-line track of motoring along the coast, with a stop at Helmsdale. <br />Note the windfarm to the SE of Wick</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFWzrUi4IIdmb4y9N9PfqyptJPPQyypCi--UP6N9T-zck4vUF4q0vJp9uZms9Ze_rAAAS0bbQewjGL0eHk-vujwXqnVgN08ZRuo3V_y8BfjXpAt0j57cahv5_5CaLjP3yvkQA_JDgGcBjZsgFRLOLcwl1Di91X8V3Ci5TCOpLzuGtspA0aAVVBAzj/s2076/IMG_E4104mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1009" data-original-width="2076" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFWzrUi4IIdmb4y9N9PfqyptJPPQyypCi--UP6N9T-zck4vUF4q0vJp9uZms9Ze_rAAAS0bbQewjGL0eHk-vujwXqnVgN08ZRuo3V_y8BfjXpAt0j57cahv5_5CaLjP3yvkQA_JDgGcBjZsgFRLOLcwl1Di91X8V3Ci5TCOpLzuGtspA0aAVVBAzj/w640-h312/IMG_E4104mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helmsdale from the land - the little man-made harbour requires a bit of a handbrake turn to enter and you need to arrive near high tide to clear the shoals</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCzbnTUfrlG2Fz_jo2eJl3rA77p2EAvxMQwLDr8Xt0tdvm9Qf9KsXoD7RSQ2_2z_u7fgnp_DQpLGhGO6imIUriQ24qPsPMeG40xogWh5fELBRFaP2JobYedQhcR0FwM1WuOt80PLEGOpT6pK-lZKz1ycmiria6PyKBuC_D44yBNwzY1atZH9rGXXJ/s2458/P1080388mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="2458" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCzbnTUfrlG2Fz_jo2eJl3rA77p2EAvxMQwLDr8Xt0tdvm9Qf9KsXoD7RSQ2_2z_u7fgnp_DQpLGhGO6imIUriQ24qPsPMeG40xogWh5fELBRFaP2JobYedQhcR0FwM1WuOt80PLEGOpT6pK-lZKz1ycmiria6PyKBuC_D44yBNwzY1atZH9rGXXJ/w640-h222/P1080388mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We would have liked to stay a night but the visitor's berth where we moored only has about 1.1m depth of water at low tide and we need 1.8m!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCtw3tp1iUKYiK22x_eJXethibWCQh9wKne1v_zVRIizhKyzJC_vx25wGUGzCU2wENwpSzX5C9fGoueI2LLmp4KEqYJuTmtfHqTl3exDKzox10Yg_BBTlpw_0GWFsSh6tsYzJxiEtJDbv8gKU8UtFAK1gJcfwyTPLC9RdPqFGiWzhbYrQrw6M8Nxa/s1930/P1080386mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCtw3tp1iUKYiK22x_eJXethibWCQh9wKne1v_zVRIizhKyzJC_vx25wGUGzCU2wENwpSzX5C9fGoueI2LLmp4KEqYJuTmtfHqTl3exDKzox10Yg_BBTlpw_0GWFsSh6tsYzJxiEtJDbv8gKU8UtFAK1gJcfwyTPLC9RdPqFGiWzhbYrQrw6M8Nxa/w640-h360/P1080386mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An RNLI fundraising tableau on the dockside...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cq4uA2bdS2U4z5QKqyiC_7iDoOUEV_cr7a1g5dbiTb8KzFb8zvX2XILp-YZqOp71x_JwvRqsZhvNB2ZX7z6Va1qsZNw1xi-GCbTyqcI9eHjF4LZGvet4tSg42gS2OdoOyWdoAuEKztSdDA-ezzaWVGaoD1xKl2B2Hnv-pVcY2SjNW74Y5a-w52hx/s1930/P1080398mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cq4uA2bdS2U4z5QKqyiC_7iDoOUEV_cr7a1g5dbiTb8KzFb8zvX2XILp-YZqOp71x_JwvRqsZhvNB2ZX7z6Va1qsZNw1xi-GCbTyqcI9eHjF4LZGvet4tSg42gS2OdoOyWdoAuEKztSdDA-ezzaWVGaoD1xKl2B2Hnv-pVcY2SjNW74Y5a-w52hx/w640-h360/P1080398mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.... Dianne met Gary, its creator, He put it together as a lockdown project and encourages visitors to make a donation. So far he's raised over £14,000!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn964Krp0f6WJ5hiw1gqQB6Tb13e_aZEEtbBP4Tsy3-IRvroaM2ExU4J5SSFn0WWUWaInVu5v1eZX3dAWcKpVezuMMzFhWPt1v1W3hwwUCCX-W64Do6Om7CZQD_GxJNmIDnXa2-9Md9ny4OEQ8KNqMuXvL4lAuVVlmkEI6PMOTg3DMmWLjuu5zB7Zp/s2051/P1080402mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="2051" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn964Krp0f6WJ5hiw1gqQB6Tb13e_aZEEtbBP4Tsy3-IRvroaM2ExU4J5SSFn0WWUWaInVu5v1eZX3dAWcKpVezuMMzFhWPt1v1W3hwwUCCX-W64Do6Om7CZQD_GxJNmIDnXa2-9Md9ny4OEQ8KNqMuXvL4lAuVVlmkEI6PMOTg3DMmWLjuu5zB7Zp/w640-h318/P1080402mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view in Cromarty Firth. A yard that previously built and serviced oil rigs is now assembling the foundations for wind turbines</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">On Sunday we made the final move round to Inverness and the entrance to the Caledonian Canal. It was a cracking sail in a pretty brisk wind, so we were glad to reach the calm water of the Clachnaharry Sea Lock.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Wd0s7wQUVOF4W0PhgVniG2p60Lw_JnbEjhEYwj_cR5StqlB-eHvZvr-NbTU5X-m9m5szOhQBdBBBNgy22sIpy8He9J1R3-eG9J1y_D2dnlNfWwrz7HRCjat5u75y4izrM6gF2Gmd8kVLP83fqHfR85A7HFg0IoWl4A1I0qVLLQisZoJWuktOeUzl/s1734/IMG_0059%20j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1509" data-original-width="1734" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Wd0s7wQUVOF4W0PhgVniG2p60Lw_JnbEjhEYwj_cR5StqlB-eHvZvr-NbTU5X-m9m5szOhQBdBBBNgy22sIpy8He9J1R3-eG9J1y_D2dnlNfWwrz7HRCjat5u75y4izrM6gF2Gmd8kVLP83fqHfR85A7HFg0IoWl4A1I0qVLLQisZoJWuktOeUzl/w640-h556/IMG_0059%20j.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final beat into Inverness, under the impressive Kessock road bridge. <br />The Clachnaharry sea lock is to the bottom left of the chart</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgePxfvzMK327c4FIqnJ39PhaEWEs5gBDDzeTo-yB3TTxWAbCSz8rFnbKbrsJA5je3Zez4Knk20pg66paNTt5CSqj9KtpZGJ1nPlRmXm8urEbTB1y8lpYaqRK9r-zmrNINQy0Lvfa9B-OvpWJKOit8UqG_PMukcQJPPw8iL-Odc43xSs6O8SJJTvvP/s1859/IMG_4106mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="1859" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgePxfvzMK327c4FIqnJ39PhaEWEs5gBDDzeTo-yB3TTxWAbCSz8rFnbKbrsJA5je3Zez4Knk20pg66paNTt5CSqj9KtpZGJ1nPlRmXm8urEbTB1y8lpYaqRK9r-zmrNINQy0Lvfa9B-OvpWJKOit8UqG_PMukcQJPPw8iL-Odc43xSs6O8SJJTvvP/w640-h388/IMG_4106mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sea lock. Maunie shares it with two Norwegian and one Dutch boat. <br />We've been surprised to find that British yachts are outnumbered by European ones on the canal</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Graham’s dad, Geoff, joined us in Inverness for the Canal transit and, so far (three days in), we’ve had a great time in some mixed weather. The initial Muirtown staircase of four locks took us into a tranquil section; the canal doesn't leave the River Ness very far away:</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQV3OZNAVMl24PTdzfKvzrwPRiIsn-j2MTE9gjTE8zznkft9hdafE-1qxF99XZG_XO74h9KVRN9yo61LLWPBH67tf2wFlWcAqdBhfOnksETtxbqT9ayDMymm-8sK6h-RMBJQ0XUauJxgCWcc3IxZ8Om4dyPQfVUZ7ObxpflKqLA5OaV6f22tQ9exc/s1893/FILE00541mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1107" data-original-width="1893" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQV3OZNAVMl24PTdzfKvzrwPRiIsn-j2MTE9gjTE8zznkft9hdafE-1qxF99XZG_XO74h9KVRN9yo61LLWPBH67tf2wFlWcAqdBhfOnksETtxbqT9ayDMymm-8sK6h-RMBJQ0XUauJxgCWcc3IxZ8Om4dyPQfVUZ7ObxpflKqLA5OaV6f22tQ9exc/w640-h374/FILE00541mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lunch stop at Dochgarroch lock, with the river to the right</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSthMLP2mILjsObNE76OJcPFIaFbqSEXAEeONbrM5pYErwjBu2R4g0Lo-SDCNFotuVSJyIDp6xk-siDXiRp23zGakTuuay4t2RvVr0NtW1YA31R2tVtralU3kxrQ6k5N5k3q0u97SOBn7fOEMlStLO6WqvUchp1P1KooFgPSEVNN3dTalfafs4FdEH/s2087/FILE00544mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="2087" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSthMLP2mILjsObNE76OJcPFIaFbqSEXAEeONbrM5pYErwjBu2R4g0Lo-SDCNFotuVSJyIDp6xk-siDXiRp23zGakTuuay4t2RvVr0NtW1YA31R2tVtralU3kxrQ6k5N5k3q0u97SOBn7fOEMlStLO6WqvUchp1P1KooFgPSEVNN3dTalfafs4FdEH/w640-h308/FILE00544mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking SW from Dochgarroch towards Loch Ness</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZldzlZa7414AxbAEWwDhJ1duuyzdfJ6QlJMyX4QH22x6LrdYGyyvOJ9F547qtaexGq7mFwm_CWSMcLr8VGAFuujtezKyaI2uGLOSRZT9AKD5JRQccioNSRL05Ke4WhV7QlVa0f-ehpi7RIy0r7Sfb-fl2CVNLrEdSpp2hoFf_y2ZBvb00Ebtz_Pl/s1930/FILE00552mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZldzlZa7414AxbAEWwDhJ1duuyzdfJ6QlJMyX4QH22x6LrdYGyyvOJ9F547qtaexGq7mFwm_CWSMcLr8VGAFuujtezKyaI2uGLOSRZT9AKD5JRQccioNSRL05Ke4WhV7QlVa0f-ehpi7RIy0r7Sfb-fl2CVNLrEdSpp2hoFf_y2ZBvb00Ebtz_Pl/w640-h360/FILE00552mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The visitor pontoons and shore toilets / showers are excellent</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Hy-LJtfh5zoBkyQzBfNr1eclJk1q0zU4U3GkTnzi3gwykFYNw4ZO3ydZdjPvel_wjrWQmnhE-YXCUcDhMLKHayGPB_CNMMpNaM0dvkWPBtq7pryueYzPup8TwrNfnUFDsQ8QGVAdmGDq9avBgQMO2EKCvTsqSXss09CK7RrKjqcY-g2SnsYVW-ch/s1795/IMG_4114mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1795" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Hy-LJtfh5zoBkyQzBfNr1eclJk1q0zU4U3GkTnzi3gwykFYNw4ZO3ydZdjPvel_wjrWQmnhE-YXCUcDhMLKHayGPB_CNMMpNaM0dvkWPBtq7pryueYzPup8TwrNfnUFDsQ8QGVAdmGDq9avBgQMO2EKCvTsqSXss09CK7RrKjqcY-g2SnsYVW-ch/w640-h416/IMG_4114mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 1 on Loch Ness and Geoff enjoys some lovely sailing</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeFJ7j6exhqCUHER6Hzjh2fFWdlXQD18OEr2aVrotz1fU0N-iqeOE0b9gagltcs8_LHBCWM1Wl2HK6JY3mI13IfilvLT3p7_nWSv1m2qJZQuMueiBYWMswV0lDpS6VCQNKOeDIcbw5xoVyPPQBve6hLyhC7Hy4JXlW490rSXSuFY3NFvSkXNLcxCZ/s2078/P1080409mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1009" data-original-width="2078" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeFJ7j6exhqCUHER6Hzjh2fFWdlXQD18OEr2aVrotz1fU0N-iqeOE0b9gagltcs8_LHBCWM1Wl2HK6JY3mI13IfilvLT3p7_nWSv1m2qJZQuMueiBYWMswV0lDpS6VCQNKOeDIcbw5xoVyPPQBve6hLyhC7Hy4JXlW490rSXSuFY3NFvSkXNLcxCZ/w640-h310/P1080409mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An overnight stop near the imposing Urquhart Castle on the north side of the loch</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The Force 6-7 on the nose in the second half of Loch Ness the following morning came as a bit of a surprise!</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYf6gp85kczDKj3-GX4XY6dUoJFKlmssvp0fP6KME7hsXWK69fbzaKIAVTuk1p6k4_QS5EuqcPNInu4xFCUShsdBvpJZckzS9p2LJdNRfsi5-VdxhWIR8qr2ScBCn-ONqNP2y7ZaERYhKX0V14hS8OxWAYTi2kTOYsD1RzZ7IAVR-SyEOxsR1x5x3q/s1930/P1080414mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYf6gp85kczDKj3-GX4XY6dUoJFKlmssvp0fP6KME7hsXWK69fbzaKIAVTuk1p6k4_QS5EuqcPNInu4xFCUShsdBvpJZckzS9p2LJdNRfsi5-VdxhWIR8qr2ScBCn-ONqNP2y7ZaERYhKX0V14hS8OxWAYTi2kTOYsD1RzZ7IAVR-SyEOxsR1x5x3q/w640-h360/P1080414mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motor-sailing against the fierce wind and choppy water</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeNXIHygybqMD_5yXXl-I3_4ccTo_8uU38_GWtqcQldt400da8wl2ugmE_nMM8CODhkIuycmZXUeLaPC3N-mZ49uZlYQeRtlQXVk250ySoT-QemjkOnQgvKnpDyL-EGkf4rdI9ZCYEhwq2nAiXFC0aWbH6z_lNA81UCSuXXuHbmqJRHuL_HUDGvOF/s1493/IMG_0056%20j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1493" data-original-width="1306" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeNXIHygybqMD_5yXXl-I3_4ccTo_8uU38_GWtqcQldt400da8wl2ugmE_nMM8CODhkIuycmZXUeLaPC3N-mZ49uZlYQeRtlQXVk250ySoT-QemjkOnQgvKnpDyL-EGkf4rdI9ZCYEhwq2nAiXFC0aWbH6z_lNA81UCSuXXuHbmqJRHuL_HUDGvOF/w560-h640/IMG_0056%20j.jpg" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">38 short tacks up to Fort Augustus at the SW end of the loch</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This morning, by contrast, we had calm sunshine as we prepared to leave Fort Augustus to climb its staircase of five locks.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqaxYdNuYJhQGjooIJqU7OuKdqBuS-Jxi8eXqeH_3l1cb7M8yDmeKIuxx4alGE9lPYSAsqYVIAZ6r_xnPvmXKiwSqnwdHhoKN3frNmeQDnIk22hmdB7PKSQ-hJut6u1H-ruXZMhndOEafRq32u7nqkcx7ZnePnm1osd3Fp5MBfr6HzIX3VvH8Ksu_/s1930/FILE00559mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqaxYdNuYJhQGjooIJqU7OuKdqBuS-Jxi8eXqeH_3l1cb7M8yDmeKIuxx4alGE9lPYSAsqYVIAZ6r_xnPvmXKiwSqnwdHhoKN3frNmeQDnIk22hmdB7PKSQ-hJut6u1H-ruXZMhndOEafRq32u7nqkcx7ZnePnm1osd3Fp5MBfr6HzIX3VvH8Ksu_/w640-h360/FILE00559mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking towards the Fort Augustus locks</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezWtrJ8wEQVGZuLNUFSnZQzqxzJSQr8MEI1hgjIkpaMzm6E5LEcAndGbrWHbm00GyPfz1Zo1RKch2L-agIdtqosIxPPHi98i-q3XQtyHOsfG1p1Nl0wDLsBTMKFUkuncITOgcDEv92NDX5vNdwKjpKGtglu4W_iZNAUCgo9D1zUrYv_nFg26pB5WK/s1930/FILE00565mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezWtrJ8wEQVGZuLNUFSnZQzqxzJSQr8MEI1hgjIkpaMzm6E5LEcAndGbrWHbm00GyPfz1Zo1RKch2L-agIdtqosIxPPHi98i-q3XQtyHOsfG1p1Nl0wDLsBTMKFUkuncITOgcDEv92NDX5vNdwKjpKGtglu4W_iZNAUCgo9D1zUrYv_nFg26pB5WK/w640-h360/FILE00565mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The large Victorian building to the left was a monastery and is now a hotel</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FUjPA0vCyRH-nC5p-CptEgufhRWhH3egaVBlpvKltfc-i7yXVE5s5UuYyO4dIpFPlfYPYS9bHxOR7Xp1C2iYtXZs6aef_ibsrDzQw9yXT7pkqPuRql5kyxKUSgte6LAzLyguWT8-E6X9WvzscdAg_RtUbKYp4ob_JrQHMW5bUb8rquWAEL9nr2sP/s1672/IMG_E4118mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1253" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FUjPA0vCyRH-nC5p-CptEgufhRWhH3egaVBlpvKltfc-i7yXVE5s5UuYyO4dIpFPlfYPYS9bHxOR7Xp1C2iYtXZs6aef_ibsrDzQw9yXT7pkqPuRql5kyxKUSgte6LAzLyguWT8-E6X9WvzscdAg_RtUbKYp4ob_JrQHMW5bUb8rquWAEL9nr2sP/w640-h480/IMG_E4118mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning in Fort Augustus before the crowds of tourists arrive.<br />The locks are left full overnight in case anyone tumbles in after overdoing things at the Lock Inn!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqkZr2RlbEsOXAqvuGNQB3UBJQWl5xs0_55eQ39mPNh5uralX0cHlDPL1HDYKA20JYGbKothlP4pje1zPdZ2JOkqWBRxf0A6g7SENoYcBA22c1vH954l-eTp6v77HYDKavbSMTbDBNSpsTmyQKKk8scS86UhlcLtmzRk9V5LQ36YL4ZCKhD68tl0V/s1673/IMG_E4123mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1253" data-original-width="1673" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqkZr2RlbEsOXAqvuGNQB3UBJQWl5xs0_55eQ39mPNh5uralX0cHlDPL1HDYKA20JYGbKothlP4pje1zPdZ2JOkqWBRxf0A6g7SENoYcBA22c1vH954l-eTp6v77HYDKavbSMTbDBNSpsTmyQKKk8scS86UhlcLtmzRk9V5LQ36YL4ZCKhD68tl0V/w640-h480/IMG_E4123mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">These locks were followed by another single lock to head into Loch Oich which is the summit of the Canal system. From there we have motored through the very leafy Laggan Avenue section to moor up just before the two Laggan locks which are the first down-hill chambers of the route.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Tomorrow we’ll pass through these, cross Loch Lochy and head down towards Fort William. We’ll be hoping that the cloud lifts to give a view of Ben Nevis as we go.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p><br /></p>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-50938483999578635952022-06-29T14:16:00.001+01:002022-06-29T14:16:27.271+01:00Westray, Stronsay, meeting another Vancouver and waiting for weather (again).<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZICCKFiHrzgwVgqaO-4E9suHU-5Ct-HfDXqQOlguQFOyoPqOjRgOWbFpYa9ZQMW-VNo6kcN4QzyViSjBdeKsCamwoA7m0ju64Qf3txsq_bM4GcSloADt2jGk2lOREj_f5i8-N-Kwe7nBaKB8SwtqTOnkKImbi5nJTbkDjBqqXW00GlCceHCiYhRwW/s1773/IMG_0391mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1182" data-original-width="1773" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZICCKFiHrzgwVgqaO-4E9suHU-5Ct-HfDXqQOlguQFOyoPqOjRgOWbFpYa9ZQMW-VNo6kcN4QzyViSjBdeKsCamwoA7m0ju64Qf3txsq_bM4GcSloADt2jGk2lOREj_f5i8-N-Kwe7nBaKB8SwtqTOnkKImbi5nJTbkDjBqqXW00GlCceHCiYhRwW/w640-h426/IMG_0391mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />Our final
day on Westray was still relentlessly windy but, once the overnight fog (known
as haar in these parts) had cleared, we had bright sunshine – perfect for a
long hike up to the NE corner of the island to bag another lighthouse. But
first we called in at Hume Sweet Hume, a successful designer knitwear business
where we chatted to the owner and then enjoyed a delicious pizza lunch at the
new café, Saintear. Noup Head light, another Stephenson design, is perched
precariously close to a sheer cliff face that is home to thousands of nesting
seabirds.</span><p></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo65n_C_xgO2Pl4aLVsPuB_NYVibAZJLv0JP_UR3DfJOPCCHyoMVarZLujQTiYEJ4rnDEp-Bv7w-yzIB7m8ccpP23MUzLIc3vXFbDRaspzsMUJ2qtSlD9LHzFToRZs3Eijy8VXIj1E4BWUSzYniMG4ZIMHimvieogb7j7JmTMpTvWM8vljxxnZk4jJ/s1672/IMG_E4063mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo65n_C_xgO2Pl4aLVsPuB_NYVibAZJLv0JP_UR3DfJOPCCHyoMVarZLujQTiYEJ4rnDEp-Bv7w-yzIB7m8ccpP23MUzLIc3vXFbDRaspzsMUJ2qtSlD9LHzFToRZs3Eijy8VXIj1E4BWUSzYniMG4ZIMHimvieogb7j7JmTMpTvWM8vljxxnZk4jJ/w640-h480/IMG_E4063mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Lighthouse facts – the tower is 24m high but the light is 79m above sea level, Built in 1898, it was the first light in Scotland to use the concept of floating the rotating lens on a bath of mercury. It was automated in 1964 and the lighthouse keepers’ cottages were demolished shortly afterwards.</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNm0Dkz-PZyoA7qod7DpamYHITjHHhFuDx8sEDk_xWdCU3d8HFW1gRpAuWcRrml7wGkB8y1P9k6Z02zB3ppMdORrIAWOcblyhm4EwwQNhG0R8Fe9SG3hP_CDt8YnNfnwvr5Uy43jKDRRJC2nW81mv7pLdX3zpcDnluwQHgaoLQYIGUZaM8ENhbMYTg/s1886/IMG_0386mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1111" data-original-width="1886" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNm0Dkz-PZyoA7qod7DpamYHITjHHhFuDx8sEDk_xWdCU3d8HFW1gRpAuWcRrml7wGkB8y1P9k6Z02zB3ppMdORrIAWOcblyhm4EwwQNhG0R8Fe9SG3hP_CDt8YnNfnwvr5Uy43jKDRRJC2nW81mv7pLdX3zpcDnluwQHgaoLQYIGUZaM8ENhbMYTg/w640-h378/IMG_0386mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzEYckoMy-zd22fomzKpR1CylbkliXF-HJ3Z-uaBIvlNz6xuzaENyO_fmJvT5koQGmnH-Up87oKKkmXD7UtPV2Jnx71aLBYlR9Q2-tpJCaqUfOBu-tAQQVj61d6Gl7bmVbSnkkzhdwgGzUtjK3flzmQ6MzSWrAHOm4zetRnodfxuSl6mhftqmlxqp/s1712/IMG_0393mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1712" data-original-width="1224" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzEYckoMy-zd22fomzKpR1CylbkliXF-HJ3Z-uaBIvlNz6xuzaENyO_fmJvT5koQGmnH-Up87oKKkmXD7UtPV2Jnx71aLBYlR9Q2-tpJCaqUfOBu-tAQQVj61d6Gl7bmVbSnkkzhdwgGzUtjK3flzmQ6MzSWrAHOm4zetRnodfxuSl6mhftqmlxqp/w458-h640/IMG_0393mr.JPG" width="458" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Di giving Graham palpitations - it looks as though she's a lot closer to the edge than she was!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjth8lNCuKEj-Mk5QI2uwFfFWDvilwVMxcnCnx1H-4xHONmTXmNc0TYOjnpftFwXWG7fwjLjWFg2pCuhfZcaqjXoIO39EhOzM6uerWiDZYnB1nHJKk8cgsQvvLj1Pkl1mhU1CxSNa6Qy0v3v-05d4pnkmjhPJCg0w2dKAsAV9hrV9a_IDm-kbOIAjd4/s1773/IMG_0399mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1182" data-original-width="1773" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjth8lNCuKEj-Mk5QI2uwFfFWDvilwVMxcnCnx1H-4xHONmTXmNc0TYOjnpftFwXWG7fwjLjWFg2pCuhfZcaqjXoIO39EhOzM6uerWiDZYnB1nHJKk8cgsQvvLj1Pkl1mhU1CxSNa6Qy0v3v-05d4pnkmjhPJCg0w2dKAsAV9hrV9a_IDm-kbOIAjd4/w640-h426/IMG_0399mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">During our
island hikes we also came across this little stone-built structure on the edge
of one of the beaches.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM24efzOZ-yGS9uBE9dba1xR1MiUS5vyF3dysyAz_JK4APpWD5cG7jqxoolEC6DLhIBoy1vYhrU27hOWWrI9xt6FvJPSjMyR5YpPSO_Vy0JU0KrYreJ67qXIy7gDDqEuUNVxcGUOZXjUGOBuLoVnfo1iSCO-U9HXN3XiTrHc3dVPIoRMmxsMcOilvV/s1672/IMG_4048mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM24efzOZ-yGS9uBE9dba1xR1MiUS5vyF3dysyAz_JK4APpWD5cG7jqxoolEC6DLhIBoy1vYhrU27hOWWrI9xt6FvJPSjMyR5YpPSO_Vy0JU0KrYreJ67qXIy7gDDqEuUNVxcGUOZXjUGOBuLoVnfo1iSCO-U9HXN3XiTrHc3dVPIoRMmxsMcOilvV/w640-h480/IMG_4048mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>At first we
assumed that it was very old but it appears to have been constructed recently
with an excellent purpose:</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGfNqm7jwJW3foqebSdiSFgq0atHeejFBuUAr9p6npchhj_izIWGDeedAm6MK3LXzsDWWu3DQpHA0pE_bjpYIMS8Pe8rfKYMX3nxuKWLLXbKyD_P2YpfCiM9mArlli3xu9sG1aVu9yw3bklqmhysM8wnqmOIdawPFytEOYIvR-ewVp9wYVbXjwlSK/s1672/IMG_4049mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGfNqm7jwJW3foqebSdiSFgq0atHeejFBuUAr9p6npchhj_izIWGDeedAm6MK3LXzsDWWu3DQpHA0pE_bjpYIMS8Pe8rfKYMX3nxuKWLLXbKyD_P2YpfCiM9mArlli3xu9sG1aVu9yw3bklqmhysM8wnqmOIdawPFytEOYIvR-ewVp9wYVbXjwlSK/w640-h480/IMG_4049mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside there's a bbq basket and even a bag of kindling!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The SE winds
were forecast to continue for several days and the outlook for Sunday night was
for them to increase to Force 6-7. The otherwise excellent little harbour and
marina in Pierowell was open to wind-driven waves from that direction so we
decided to get out while we could and sail the 23 miles over to Stronsay. Of
course, the wind was on our nose, so we tacked (zig-zagging toward our
destination) the whole way and it was a reasonably challenging sail, with some
fierce tides to contend with at the end.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlIyMQ05MDCLqY6P3q_xd9s2SD3aTAI3i5Gcc0pA_nuWz2n6fcKIRcewO0ytXFWmW7w3_KgFDxbSmOBj21F_ccn3LU1sYfAvd40X-d4a1JxpjKUF0nJ_vEYO8EXsGUbQrAYzENHeVBPPkpe0CDmkWRYauxnTZ9oJsvwXGLR3KbE0bwWGG2km2X9JP/s1645/IMG_0051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1515" data-original-width="1645" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlIyMQ05MDCLqY6P3q_xd9s2SD3aTAI3i5Gcc0pA_nuWz2n6fcKIRcewO0ytXFWmW7w3_KgFDxbSmOBj21F_ccn3LU1sYfAvd40X-d4a1JxpjKUF0nJ_vEYO8EXsGUbQrAYzENHeVBPPkpe0CDmkWRYauxnTZ9oJsvwXGLR3KbE0bwWGG2km2X9JP/w640-h590/IMG_0051.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The red track was our route into Westray, the black track is the passage to Stronsay</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAhtlwYAbGtg7Z0471fisep5kXIMtcy8Y9OwkUaERvguCE_IA695lPqpASER8sV-SideXgiCpTgOD7Bc15gEsG5t3KDWsMqyS6xDFi0NKec17s-RqAiJR2z7NGZVObLU2puNFGMkTMfkRQVx2T0IueeRGQtlm9sF_1jNmZXCKQfUJK-ut8EUrp_lw/s1588/IMG_0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1514" data-original-width="1588" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAhtlwYAbGtg7Z0471fisep5kXIMtcy8Y9OwkUaERvguCE_IA695lPqpASER8sV-SideXgiCpTgOD7Bc15gEsG5t3KDWsMqyS6xDFi0NKec17s-RqAiJR2z7NGZVObLU2puNFGMkTMfkRQVx2T0IueeRGQtlm9sF_1jNmZXCKQfUJK-ut8EUrp_lw/w640-h610/IMG_0052.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whitehall harbour is well sheltered in SE winds</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-align: left;">The departure turned out to be a good decision because we found perfect shelter in Whitehall Harbour, alongside the substantial stone pier. Amazingly, we found that a boat already there was another Vancouver. Maude is a Vancouver 34, built the same year as Maunie, and owned by Adele and Martin </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-align: left;">whom</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-align: left;"> we’d met last year at the owners’ association annual dinner in Bristol! With a much-needed easing of the wind the following day, we were able to fly the drone to get some photos of the two boats together.</span></div><p></p><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKlq6ULswMjF0NH7wwNnsH43XNcqh-0l7cI7y0ir0Rwsr8ojf_25Upej0auwMDeAnEfdy1GNfRCSF1MIgy4AqwabyAjYKqkH5KZtd88dV4Ln8elCWRKCZUCxrwWZLOMUXpZ7yoPV38prDR0ZJJ-HDtGE4A2ZBrrQQyct7Qlfx7n2rfBY11Pl5LH6p/s2094/FILE00520mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="2094" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKlq6ULswMjF0NH7wwNnsH43XNcqh-0l7cI7y0ir0Rwsr8ojf_25Upej0auwMDeAnEfdy1GNfRCSF1MIgy4AqwabyAjYKqkH5KZtd88dV4Ln8elCWRKCZUCxrwWZLOMUXpZ7yoPV38prDR0ZJJ-HDtGE4A2ZBrrQQyct7Qlfx7n2rfBY11Pl5LH6p/w640-h306/FILE00520mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-align: left;">The evening
after Maude left (for Kirkwall – they are heading the way we came, towards the
Outer Hebrides), the wind calmed completely for a few hours to give us a
wonderful sunset.</span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4q4I_T3sp4ZJvJZP1Sytxi8_MQx-4JLy_3XDUShqrfeAeE8AOjWy9sgMOneOM_4pHCE8c-k9g5GzXAYxhQd67UUlBlqXubSM7x-Ee87i3TGO-lNFgZyltnzVckQZNDIwj4cAWvCyBunB8EXJzNMmvdNgIGUcZ9kGvJbHJRzDKQGR72Fu-f6RSSYaj/s1930/FILE00528mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4q4I_T3sp4ZJvJZP1Sytxi8_MQx-4JLy_3XDUShqrfeAeE8AOjWy9sgMOneOM_4pHCE8c-k9g5GzXAYxhQd67UUlBlqXubSM7x-Ee87i3TGO-lNFgZyltnzVckQZNDIwj4cAWvCyBunB8EXJzNMmvdNgIGUcZ9kGvJbHJRzDKQGR72Fu-f6RSSYaj/w640-h360/FILE00528mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGqyk-zKGRDsK2IYL6abwWi4Hyy4i3ULeG_S1_5DYPfP1zlVZL8nERCHX1pNoXNiIZLwGEuPggI1hR9XQUeUKJ8DNqVm4f7-O2Wgot_ZwGw1EPPavrWRpKSEB_GDvtmjh2FvNZ1W_pFcmIfMZS2Hw8o61p1hFlACKfCfGDsX53Aj2E5lzF16jYxME/s2028/FILE00536mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="2028" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGqyk-zKGRDsK2IYL6abwWi4Hyy4i3ULeG_S1_5DYPfP1zlVZL8nERCHX1pNoXNiIZLwGEuPggI1hR9XQUeUKJ8DNqVm4f7-O2Wgot_ZwGw1EPPavrWRpKSEB_GDvtmjh2FvNZ1W_pFcmIfMZS2Hw8o61p1hFlACKfCfGDsX53Aj2E5lzF16jYxME/w640-h326/FILE00536mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjle8MNoFL-AXHi4i_Ddm6h6izrJezaCSVPvhlzclAWg8tqxdh-ohY31tzwe6PDjs8-qvUEFWbn2l_g1DM01qvFH9YJnGUzUcifpNss-CUw339vV3JNigOaxkTASEHx0VlyKFKzypH32RtKFZZ2OsZMdL6y6yYSVtZp3hRwFqPQu9akelf6BfmXeklN/s1931/FILE00538mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1931" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjle8MNoFL-AXHi4i_Ddm6h6izrJezaCSVPvhlzclAWg8tqxdh-ohY31tzwe6PDjs8-qvUEFWbn2l_g1DM01qvFH9YJnGUzUcifpNss-CUw339vV3JNigOaxkTASEHx0VlyKFKzypH32RtKFZZ2OsZMdL6y6yYSVtZp3hRwFqPQu9akelf6BfmXeklN/w640-h360/FILE00538mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A calm sunset, before the next batch of wind</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Stronsay is
an interesting island – it’s very flat (the highest point is only 43m above sea
level) so wind is a pretty constant feature. The land is obviously very
fertile, so beef and sheep farming are the main activities here. The sleepy
little village of Whitehall has a small shop, a café and a hotel. The hotel was
bought by the community in May but is struggling to get going, (familiar
challenges of staffing and skills availability) so hasn’t been open while we’ve
been here. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvp3nbLSvFPT72mSQ_AkrIv_3JaXL3JBBdlfANVE82EMA9KfG7Oew07Rmw5qpsIC99v7kcSXZUGxFf6bZBnw2oxIcSiTNAWofTfUPBTfsTMu0PxJDHETDoAHEt8-oABC5PFTbNx-UM4Yc-ehHT1oni6lWqLWZwls0pOO1_43jSXK9oeP41hrR_JIzB/s2431/IMG_4075mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="2431" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvp3nbLSvFPT72mSQ_AkrIv_3JaXL3JBBdlfANVE82EMA9KfG7Oew07Rmw5qpsIC99v7kcSXZUGxFf6bZBnw2oxIcSiTNAWofTfUPBTfsTMu0PxJDHETDoAHEt8-oABC5PFTbNx-UM4Yc-ehHT1oni6lWqLWZwls0pOO1_43jSXK9oeP41hrR_JIzB/w640-h226/IMG_4075mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Only the larger-than-average stone houses on the waterfront hint at the island’s </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">previous prosperity. In the
19</span><sup style="font-family: arial;">th</sup><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> and early 20</span><sup style="font-family: arial;">th</sup><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> centuries this was the epicentre of
Orkney’s thriving herring fishing industry. When the herring season came each
year, the island would have over 4000 people working on landing, gutting and
salting the ‘silver darlings’ which were packed into barrels and shipped all
around Europe. </span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglY37Ros_3HHajVhEX74J-DlR3M_iBmLSnyZcUrdxXVlxJ9OPDKgc8UOtUM6_tcLsg2a4k0HnV7mLcfgseFLTAlEfDShH7QLHIKlHW-saR7HK1_7Nelq3js4BLE0-4gMvAKNPFXjbqkcCbblEMXVO3pJHlXBAmigF9c8JxbdR-OVjdDKpBvZYDXmID/s1891/IMG_4084mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="1891" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglY37Ros_3HHajVhEX74J-DlR3M_iBmLSnyZcUrdxXVlxJ9OPDKgc8UOtUM6_tcLsg2a4k0HnV7mLcfgseFLTAlEfDShH7QLHIKlHW-saR7HK1_7Nelq3js4BLE0-4gMvAKNPFXjbqkcCbblEMXVO3pJHlXBAmigF9c8JxbdR-OVjdDKpBvZYDXmID/w640-h374/IMG_4084mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A ship loaded with barrels of Stronsay herring, c 1924</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Whitehall village, at its peak, had 40 pubs and the old Stronsay
Hotel boasted the longest bar north of Inverness! The boom collapsed in the
1930’s as over-fishing destroyed the once-huge stocks of fish and, with it,
Stronsay’s prosperity came to an end.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Today the
island is home to only about 320 people and Whitehall has a slightly dejected
feel about it. However, there’s obviously a lot of effort being put in to keep
the place alive and funding has been sought to try to widen its appeal to
visitors (though we suspect some residents aren’t that keen on encouraging
incomers!). We were amazed to find that there are four excellent electric bikes
available to borrow, free of charge, so yesterday we took two of them to go and
explore. We were very thankful of the battery assistance as the brisk SE’ly
wind had returned with a vengeance and were able to see some of the superb
coastline features.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGduZpaP_HBENSBU90B0LKDLbymdl9lw3ldaBzdKQIUfHTvrXeRuWpNUJD2d4I5-OQXmS5kiibTrPbag5rfNvI-6f7nkFpt6X9SW1oDn-qbKdEyK_zJz6E9kZnHnk2ycGP8p00jGwf4eX8ee8BCPFekUtmPmOStAcXJAwa5uPSa-7SzAvc6Fyuxbih/s1858/GOPR0333mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1858" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGduZpaP_HBENSBU90B0LKDLbymdl9lw3ldaBzdKQIUfHTvrXeRuWpNUJD2d4I5-OQXmS5kiibTrPbag5rfNvI-6f7nkFpt6X9SW1oDn-qbKdEyK_zJz6E9kZnHnk2ycGP8p00jGwf4eX8ee8BCPFekUtmPmOStAcXJAwa5uPSa-7SzAvc6Fyuxbih/w640-h388/GOPR0333mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The amazing arch at the Vat of Kirbister </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCV-xNarPs3AQz8WfJ9sxSd_Q9oP5lHXImlN8c66AospLkBHBlhItrvUl1x8d2BH7of-FSGFndqq4A1IOO0gjMdgH0URwqSbT1KAsOY6FXVpXHTeTHa4kjqkR8y6Kvdszcgw3tUJswDGup8o8YgVrRvGPA4rQQrZvjfdI0q_LymIhCie3aH4fiNhSb/s1931/P1080351mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1931" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCV-xNarPs3AQz8WfJ9sxSd_Q9oP5lHXImlN8c66AospLkBHBlhItrvUl1x8d2BH7of-FSGFndqq4A1IOO0gjMdgH0URwqSbT1KAsOY6FXVpXHTeTHa4kjqkR8y6Kvdszcgw3tUJswDGup8o8YgVrRvGPA4rQQrZvjfdI0q_LymIhCie3aH4fiNhSb/w640-h360/P1080351mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ5FO_8_yR9P76n5oHc1hnrbYGe5a8YY-c59OgGT62EMHnj5Cg9pFxGannYpC6X0FB62JBvaQa5LYopRZ18bS1VDOvmgw6vkXjiYFayPWVjjgrNSZ4DWfJB3rnFQpO23iM-Vyk3y3Pfk-P1jwmsUc5kVrhf3UgGvdD2J-KM4D5N-58SUDOhNcGRY0/s1930/P1080352mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ5FO_8_yR9P76n5oHc1hnrbYGe5a8YY-c59OgGT62EMHnj5Cg9pFxGannYpC6X0FB62JBvaQa5LYopRZ18bS1VDOvmgw6vkXjiYFayPWVjjgrNSZ4DWfJB3rnFQpO23iM-Vyk3y3Pfk-P1jwmsUc5kVrhf3UgGvdD2J-KM4D5N-58SUDOhNcGRY0/w640-h360/P1080352mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nesting Kittiwakes</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We’ll be
here for one more day. The wind is forecast to ease a little tomorrow, so we’ll
sail east and south down to the Churchill Barriers on South Ronaldsay, ready to
cross the Pentland Firth on Friday. Spot-on tidal planning will be vital for
the 30 mile passage to Wick as the Pentland Firth is probably <b>the</b> most
tidal stretch of water in Britain, with currents running at up to 12 knots if
you cross it at spring tide. We will, naturally, be crossing at spring tide so
our traverse of the 6-mile-wide scary bit will be timed to coincide with the
least current. We’ll let you know how it goes!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-14555779478823219622022-06-25T11:46:00.000+01:002022-06-25T11:46:02.856+01:00Weaving between the islands in Orkney<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii89-MEE3DXkRnJdsQJOqHhGABK9q69qCV610y8oEUpjuANRHItxdrk6RsSWL2XHd7bfgHNBuzcX_e2-LhMG5HZMUFuX3UM8d1rlEDmm_e7T2T9E14EMpKrqNvo2R-ZQhBlE54N_UE4twqSLMo1-mNUekqtfndMTf-bZu3k3n-AGs4YJu048GqDOoC/s2141/IMG_E4044mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="2141" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii89-MEE3DXkRnJdsQJOqHhGABK9q69qCV610y8oEUpjuANRHItxdrk6RsSWL2XHd7bfgHNBuzcX_e2-LhMG5HZMUFuX3UM8d1rlEDmm_e7T2T9E14EMpKrqNvo2R-ZQhBlE54N_UE4twqSLMo1-mNUekqtfndMTf-bZu3k3n-AGs4YJu048GqDOoC/w640-h292/IMG_E4044mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">With the strong winds finally abated, we could leave Stromness and head out to explore some of the other islands in the archipelago - and there are plenty to choose from!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTIvr5HFG313zKj07YPkuGgeV43rx9fMVq9Ht9UxtgsIArsHtuEgQEgOynuDZQb6Bj3vKT_NRw8zecenLBhogJ6i27DY4ybSMGU_F-t7-vMwzTxmdk1tGllfFvNbvdVtywacjmtMgOwSCQvwqn3VBB5o97qDGTXddqmIjZ0c-mBwJcXIfI6hjc6aY/s951/Orkney%20overview.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="951" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTIvr5HFG313zKj07YPkuGgeV43rx9fMVq9Ht9UxtgsIArsHtuEgQEgOynuDZQb6Bj3vKT_NRw8zecenLBhogJ6i27DY4ybSMGU_F-t7-vMwzTxmdk1tGllfFvNbvdVtywacjmtMgOwSCQvwqn3VBB5o97qDGTXddqmIjZ0c-mBwJcXIfI6hjc6aY/w640-h622/Orkney%20overview.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Our first target was the capital of Orkney, Kirkwall which is just 17 miles from Stomness by road but considerably longer by sea. We'd chatted to some locals who all cautioned against 'doing a west-about' - leaving the way we came, out of Hoy Mouth and northwards up the western side of the island that's called, slightly confusingly, Mainland. Apparently, after a few days of strong westerlies, the sea state would be very uncomfortable. Instead, we planned an 'east-about', sailing down through Scapa Flow and out around Lother Rock at the southern tip of South Ronaldsay. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Once again, the pesky tides needed to he given a good looking at and we decided that the timing of leaving Stromness on a favourable tide and passing Lother Rock at slack water (rather than at 6 knot of tide that runs there at the wrong moments) would be tricky. Instead, we'd make an overnight stop at Longhope thereby converting a 17 mile road trip into a two-day voyage - it's a good job we aren't in a hurry. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTY1Gl0APgeJxGHp9f-SZ6bPMH3XKktWu3wsp3TeOBnCogBAFfJwU13czkGWJpUrAAPVl2RiWUOKZfhud9Fr3OrW0dvrXTYO9oLgTK1QbF55Hg_kWUDPpnKAm6zjWLVP-tLCFUs_9CFaoqcu9An47nnKib95YvkJLPFw879cy8Ex_e7OZIjSE30V4d/s1308/InkedStrom%20to%20Kirk_LI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="1308" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTY1Gl0APgeJxGHp9f-SZ6bPMH3XKktWu3wsp3TeOBnCogBAFfJwU13czkGWJpUrAAPVl2RiWUOKZfhud9Fr3OrW0dvrXTYO9oLgTK1QbF55Hg_kWUDPpnKAm6zjWLVP-tLCFUs_9CFaoqcu9An47nnKib95YvkJLPFw879cy8Ex_e7OZIjSE30V4d/w640-h436/InkedStrom%20to%20Kirk_LI.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The sail to Longhope was interesting in that we passed through Gutter Sound, a place where 103 years before, to the very day, the interned German naval fleet of 34 destroyers and 5 battleships, were scuttled by their crews. With protracted negotiations between the Allies still going on, the Germans feared that at least some of their ships would be given to the French so decided that sinking them would be a better course of action!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Brisk winds and rain prevented us from dinghying ashore at Longhope, unfortunately, which was a shame as the 19th Century Martello tower and the WW2 defence battery looked like interesting places to visit. However, the following morning we had perfect conditions for rounding South Ronaldsay and then took a two-hour break to wait for tide in East Weddel Sound.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55bm4YSjse0gDh_Qr3z9JjYt1o518YLCWpSxBfGKqE2bxkD4euSixNrQ0CS_wBdQcUuLuq9KFvfyiLj3S56pIY_hu4HXAbOOae8FwTN82PpY4serJP8s7m-wP1TpT_oMAQTIAa626saPRGjMTcIqAV87X6aV5Tw7wffGz8N0L1bjrJQhylnq4mAZU/s1028/Weddel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="1028" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55bm4YSjse0gDh_Qr3z9JjYt1o518YLCWpSxBfGKqE2bxkD4euSixNrQ0CS_wBdQcUuLuq9KFvfyiLj3S56pIY_hu4HXAbOOae8FwTN82PpY4serJP8s7m-wP1TpT_oMAQTIAa626saPRGjMTcIqAV87X6aV5Tw7wffGz8N0L1bjrJQhylnq4mAZU/w640-h536/Weddel.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The excellent anchorage lies just to the east on one of the Churchill Barriers, built (largely by Italian POWs) to block access to the east side of Scapa Flow after a daring night time raid by a U-boat in 1939 succeeded in sneaking past block-ships sunk in the sounds. U47 scraped through, after being briefly snagged on cables strung between the blockships, and torpedoed the battleship HMS Royal Oak as she slept at anchor. The mighty ship's ammunition hold exploded and the ship capsized in only 15 minutes with the loss of over 800 of her crew.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The little island to the north of us, Lamb Holm, is where the Italian POW's built the famous Italian Church, using two Nissen huts and some very clever concrete work and amazing artwork.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Moving onto Kirkwall, we had another couple of days of windy weather (this is definitely a theme!) and, while it was great to be able to use a laundrette, shop at a large Tesco and eat at a good Italian restaurant, we were surprised at how neither of us really liked the place. Just too many people, especially when the flags were rigged:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLnTup3vXi9NcxBLUJk5izs6wMzmIPyBaU1RCw6pRpU45n5rM5394BGeJKlnm31quAMZ9bZ09EVkI5T2nH7p3sJc830QJ75CQdupwsd0Nxl8lI6wPf-O3IpwZ25wL1tGWALshn16pKtSNxX8GooGBSR_V2h3wFO-yR1zrj5ngzpWduhqZcLUh4QN1/s4032/IMG_4002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLnTup3vXi9NcxBLUJk5izs6wMzmIPyBaU1RCw6pRpU45n5rM5394BGeJKlnm31quAMZ9bZ09EVkI5T2nH7p3sJc830QJ75CQdupwsd0Nxl8lI6wPf-O3IpwZ25wL1tGWALshn16pKtSNxX8GooGBSR_V2h3wFO-yR1zrj5ngzpWduhqZcLUh4QN1/w640-h480/IMG_4002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The flags, of course, were there to welcome the thousands of passengers on the cruise ship Costa Fortuna (really!) who poured into the town to fill the cafes and tourist shops. We certainly can't blame the Orcadians for wanting to attract cruise liners - and they will have over 150 of them calling in this year between May and September - and the jewellery and art shops that line the streets do great business from them but we were glad to leave!</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGFcJV_3AMFW-tE2O1A2Y571qSqQg13nrDZM3ny_jZ4wzzpkzmts0EGX5cGUMa57jjqDxWfKV2rC3dE9oVF1ul2X8GxRl_ANTk-zZzZxvzaNG3nXh-3K8n9-FrFG-KXu8VpJ8Kznh7oMlka8Oi9YV_oJaMmaElmJSU7oDKiHRFX4KI6P_2YFGmIuu/s1914/GOPR0323mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1914" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGFcJV_3AMFW-tE2O1A2Y571qSqQg13nrDZM3ny_jZ4wzzpkzmts0EGX5cGUMa57jjqDxWfKV2rC3dE9oVF1ul2X8GxRl_ANTk-zZzZxvzaNG3nXh-3K8n9-FrFG-KXu8VpJ8Kznh7oMlka8Oi9YV_oJaMmaElmJSU7oDKiHRFX4KI6P_2YFGmIuu/w640-h366/GOPR0323mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Finally</b>, we had a lovely day for sailing! Blue sky and a favourable wind allowed us to fly the Parasailor for the three hour passage up to Pierowall in Westray.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-va1ZUIgSbcksGdVTIwFWxgoMfg-dFEcemqKq042xGpZapltU6WwFmvctZ0KcbAQO5PTqQdsKXX5XRONIkrscGIGtNG6GJXr7aGDITV33vRuzsYJZHo3YoJd-bKkHAI0jRmx5iMrgbhs0gxMwQkS3wlhBhGnPj1zuS0uINnP5M6aLEaNx240UjG-Z/s1012/InkedKirk%20to%20Pier_LI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="910" data-original-width="1012" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-va1ZUIgSbcksGdVTIwFWxgoMfg-dFEcemqKq042xGpZapltU6WwFmvctZ0KcbAQO5PTqQdsKXX5XRONIkrscGIGtNG6GJXr7aGDITV33vRuzsYJZHo3YoJd-bKkHAI0jRmx5iMrgbhs0gxMwQkS3wlhBhGnPj1zuS0uINnP5M6aLEaNx240UjG-Z/w640-h576/InkedKirk%20to%20Pier_LI.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It was another passage that required careful tide planning as it took us through narrow sounds between islands and past a huge new tidal energy turbine but we were delighted to find space in the tiny Westray Marina.</span><p></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtR09GocDn7uAd7yKPEKT6JfllrqwFNAI4eidAmMH3HvIDnPwSb4hMpiekD2xSSogjbNUpXpKECK1l4H8Xw43U4FR2ZDgfY7FCrI84Q2PVCb3_4F4osYFyWmQWehEB0JtWVL1o49kMd4UhX79nTxwBd0Gbi3BULbrwtIQbQZAIdZF-ZlGWTKWfAg3B/s1485/Pierowall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="1485" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtR09GocDn7uAd7yKPEKT6JfllrqwFNAI4eidAmMH3HvIDnPwSb4hMpiekD2xSSogjbNUpXpKECK1l4H8Xw43U4FR2ZDgfY7FCrI84Q2PVCb3_4F4osYFyWmQWehEB0JtWVL1o49kMd4UhX79nTxwBd0Gbi3BULbrwtIQbQZAIdZF-ZlGWTKWfAg3B/w640-h386/Pierowall.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 17-berth pontoon sits in the little fishing harbour across the bay from the village and we had a great hike out to the coastline to the north-west</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyukV6pCRuOuyJIbB4LGyf92EvOixMp7B9M5VpQ8QJFI6HUVNh2uuIFHyfwdP0_5vHf7DeWsE83wD6B29oFbduV6lUAZSYNofSnADtPj_S7oGZvCyl56iycnLWF8sFVJOocL7O2nqbVmpK-z0SPAeCnIitCBYFm0ifZGi3FBJSzwG5fgTeVdx5AwQ/s1910/IMG_4017mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1910" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyukV6pCRuOuyJIbB4LGyf92EvOixMp7B9M5VpQ8QJFI6HUVNh2uuIFHyfwdP0_5vHf7DeWsE83wD6B29oFbduV6lUAZSYNofSnADtPj_S7oGZvCyl56iycnLWF8sFVJOocL7O2nqbVmpK-z0SPAeCnIitCBYFm0ifZGi3FBJSzwG5fgTeVdx5AwQ/w640-h368/IMG_4017mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fine selection of anchors</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTe9Yf444BIULlZmAhxZENL_ojNxqy5Z4HeBZ3r5TtNDm5l3WzAFYdgBCCgDi5KZuHsM9RoF366LrzG0UvENc-V9cFi6X_06GAxqhtI9PhmDPsnxI596Jf_bLX6iayl9nWaoYKQBlaQDwXTE1lwoHi_9B8M6lljY1_56UUcQtnlMMWn8KFFD1fKY05/s1787/IMG_4021mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1173" data-original-width="1787" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTe9Yf444BIULlZmAhxZENL_ojNxqy5Z4HeBZ3r5TtNDm5l3WzAFYdgBCCgDi5KZuHsM9RoF366LrzG0UvENc-V9cFi6X_06GAxqhtI9PhmDPsnxI596Jf_bLX6iayl9nWaoYKQBlaQDwXTE1lwoHi_9B8M6lljY1_56UUcQtnlMMWn8KFFD1fKY05/w640-h420/IMG_4021mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The calm marina on the first evening</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMXtsKG6qMdF_o0eZPaw9AaGwORqmC1w39G99DMv2dLisVSMgEF75B-kB1AEJhnxcfqYRu9hYpJzHKZB7RAh7BVpGI0rikQkXYVqpieejnCLuo1sBlyTXfWAgjFonlq2rQEi-4vbNj6b-lc8uXyoliBRKdXL6DHrTikISuGe0nHA45lcg0hrHl339/s1937/IMG_4025mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1937" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMXtsKG6qMdF_o0eZPaw9AaGwORqmC1w39G99DMv2dLisVSMgEF75B-kB1AEJhnxcfqYRu9hYpJzHKZB7RAh7BVpGI0rikQkXYVqpieejnCLuo1sBlyTXfWAgjFonlq2rQEi-4vbNj6b-lc8uXyoliBRKdXL6DHrTikISuGe0nHA45lcg0hrHl339/w640-h358/IMG_4025mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaQ5DXWo7tNc8yyOQTrppZTtObGw7w6_J5-86ZD-P24Qeuyq7GNwiLJo8ijJdW7LJ-f0388uY3VzlpZGakyTmN52m8FUFCr7UXqnMIBMoOr3zNtsNGmrh-f6FpImSpLXdw-1xfZRPy-GWpesP5o_nTNLqK-WUDcfUKuiYY27pKyuqPDDjTgZ8r165/s1778/IMG_4031mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="1778" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaQ5DXWo7tNc8yyOQTrppZTtObGw7w6_J5-86ZD-P24Qeuyq7GNwiLJo8ijJdW7LJ-f0388uY3VzlpZGakyTmN52m8FUFCr7UXqnMIBMoOr3zNtsNGmrh-f6FpImSpLXdw-1xfZRPy-GWpesP5o_nTNLqK-WUDcfUKuiYY27pKyuqPDDjTgZ8r165/w640-h424/IMG_4031mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The beach walk got us both trying some arty photos:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmPrEVBLQHH37TbGuWuIVQ-mdTM-g3ExJ86Kp0U0T87JsaL0720gAIRfQ_5HYJzkAj0n_RqB4lz_w_hSDoZ_FdS4-e9eSuTQ7T4kRajx3Bbvj1GcJHend0CsICxa_LvHrwIYoUBDlyz4qGRdr3vFN9V-WaBQK0sbpSrkmeGYZQMpl0RWjcXeToZOS/s1672/IMG_4045mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1672" data-original-width="1254" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmPrEVBLQHH37TbGuWuIVQ-mdTM-g3ExJ86Kp0U0T87JsaL0720gAIRfQ_5HYJzkAj0n_RqB4lz_w_hSDoZ_FdS4-e9eSuTQ7T4kRajx3Bbvj1GcJHend0CsICxa_LvHrwIYoUBDlyz4qGRdr3vFN9V-WaBQK0sbpSrkmeGYZQMpl0RWjcXeToZOS/w480-h640/IMG_4045mr.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Where did he go?' by Graham</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Z4K8YgSgEiKRA7_mYTRCBPgdysf57RF8M--H4zKxvm4usZY4PYamMbDsgW5_Zsg1478xQ0Z_dM7ehQk6vCxOwuGCafwIyuj1V-_tLszc_-IvOf-Ltc6dTy6mdyLpTm_sNZAKYXseGxMfOS5CTXYOicdCMbGpQ5g3KH1gMPalO2vMoW7zfDo6pjsl/s1740/IMG_E4030mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="1740" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Z4K8YgSgEiKRA7_mYTRCBPgdysf57RF8M--H4zKxvm4usZY4PYamMbDsgW5_Zsg1478xQ0Z_dM7ehQk6vCxOwuGCafwIyuj1V-_tLszc_-IvOf-Ltc6dTy6mdyLpTm_sNZAKYXseGxMfOS5CTXYOicdCMbGpQ5g3KH1gMPalO2vMoW7zfDo6pjsl/w640-h444/IMG_E4030mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Swirling sea' by Graham</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEET4-tr-n-ThnIeJ88QI7iaVA9DOZbFBlDingWoKhpo_6-Hg6gDhnMQstqV4lJYbdUAQXgPKFJqJT_SWV_fX8nAE2oCkf67EI_bNGehn8HliwchC2YKQxc_Y26MhKJCAHU4uGqLXTVhboo3ITfIBMyQBVrw1-EXDiIgXO_Kv3yM6Q6HD1z4nFeXE/s3892/20220624_142949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3892" data-original-width="2250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEET4-tr-n-ThnIeJ88QI7iaVA9DOZbFBlDingWoKhpo_6-Hg6gDhnMQstqV4lJYbdUAQXgPKFJqJT_SWV_fX8nAE2oCkf67EI_bNGehn8HliwchC2YKQxc_Y26MhKJCAHU4uGqLXTVhboo3ITfIBMyQBVrw1-EXDiIgXO_Kv3yM6Q6HD1z4nFeXE/w370-h640/20220624_142949.jpg" width="370" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Beached' by Dianne</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0zQKR80KIOKM42jdVMRGhJIxwZZpyND_ZqADjqpNpFIaliprITOr5_0WfOr-zOdAuHq-t3C42POVh4oy14pQfN0rjLdzhM0MWVNvk5BzwWLC-3XVtPhPRyjz7jod3mRxr4rRlyh8aZ9u4PAN-mA0qI3JVnYTeDeMhTSNLJd3hn2xqGFuFS6ciViB/s4000/20220624_142414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0zQKR80KIOKM42jdVMRGhJIxwZZpyND_ZqADjqpNpFIaliprITOr5_0WfOr-zOdAuHq-t3C42POVh4oy14pQfN0rjLdzhM0MWVNvk5BzwWLC-3XVtPhPRyjz7jod3mRxr4rRlyh8aZ9u4PAN-mA0qI3JVnYTeDeMhTSNLJd3hn2xqGFuFS6ciViB/w360-h640/20220624_142414.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Tangles' by Dianne</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Unfortunately the weather is playing with us again! First of all dense fog, which prevented us from leaving this morning, and now a Force 5-6 wind.</span><p></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzRdZCGVdQQ8oEiR4HHvisPQ9-DzAE6TKbgZfSr2MGzVZ9MhmViCA8EfECO77x0WHw1irhNjLExsU1ZjWCUBpWkKdL8YzUWienUGCS1pWvCSnkjjiVic9aF1LmNiYvy5fDAKK2fbZu0oixx5A5jc1b7-Zfe-vYhRlI9QlxwMDFQ8qDQvV4pQV6qSw/s1801/IMG_4058mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="1801" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzRdZCGVdQQ8oEiR4HHvisPQ9-DzAE6TKbgZfSr2MGzVZ9MhmViCA8EfECO77x0WHw1irhNjLExsU1ZjWCUBpWkKdL8YzUWienUGCS1pWvCSnkjjiVic9aF1LmNiYvy5fDAKK2fbZu0oixx5A5jc1b7-Zfe-vYhRlI9QlxwMDFQ8qDQvV4pQV6qSw/w640-h414/IMG_4058mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A foggy start this morning</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5KcTiGN7xQyVR3ImyG0tIXTZUG1-mg3ABmWjcnSzW0cH6sRejpIb5-W6MoARDg1vIe9MObhVoWtvkc7n84qNhT1CDfyEANLvBkTupq6OwaKafAsW27M3V-mAVnbJFvz8FhBKSk8UBV7atopBrBKT4XpeghT2ibyeXGjqwJ1x5lUhb9wZTKjKkNzq/s2181/IMG_4061mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="2181" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5KcTiGN7xQyVR3ImyG0tIXTZUG1-mg3ABmWjcnSzW0cH6sRejpIb5-W6MoARDg1vIe9MObhVoWtvkc7n84qNhT1CDfyEANLvBkTupq6OwaKafAsW27M3V-mAVnbJFvz8FhBKSk8UBV7atopBrBKT4XpeghT2ibyeXGjqwJ1x5lUhb9wZTKjKkNzq/w640-h282/IMG_4061mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Westray harbour</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The good news is that the wind has now blown the fog away and we have sunshine! Time for more hiking!</span></p>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-5343361458186151672022-06-19T15:53:00.000+01:002022-06-19T15:53:19.793+01:00To the Mainland - and a bumpy arrival in Orkney<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuqzQ5TdE_pP_rkzI53lE_4QMlmsjYDj-hHa6_Gf-2pVEbHPW_5gUdiWdAd2CSNpjlRgkbnQbc1DFJfWZIpfOvWH3uCsoshvj--X30UwcWyh8ynaRS9FJ0lC5ubzlyZVH-bNpW9YYxNAwqkAFWa-iI6v-hkOM47qQRkUe2fRzmfR0_58fdxJQlebr/s1971/IMG_0354mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1971" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuqzQ5TdE_pP_rkzI53lE_4QMlmsjYDj-hHa6_Gf-2pVEbHPW_5gUdiWdAd2CSNpjlRgkbnQbc1DFJfWZIpfOvWH3uCsoshvj--X30UwcWyh8ynaRS9FJ0lC5ubzlyZVH-bNpW9YYxNAwqkAFWa-iI6v-hkOM47qQRkUe2fRzmfR0_58fdxJQlebr/w640-h346/IMG_0354mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tidal race in Orkney</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Two nights of anchorages on the mainland were a brief interlude between our island explorations of Lewis and Orkney. Not that the mainland stop-overs delivered any kind of facilities or civilisation - there's not a lot of that kind of thing around the north-west tip of Scotland!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFM531GzmL0C6vTHENd3B_4PvcDIsemtubUETDKCxU2v13ETq0fsnIWBnQR7M5_SGMXO4E1DHbKcwzLpD3K4B1Ned0YnZpkAXoU6rzFBzdXfdJuAfB0EOymDSWLYEgVDlP1neY_scLA8SxtNyBZNzC9GuthAyW92PqNoXT7xn9DGFW5391d8I_x_ZI/s1542/Stornoway%20to%20Stromness.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1542" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFM531GzmL0C6vTHENd3B_4PvcDIsemtubUETDKCxU2v13ETq0fsnIWBnQR7M5_SGMXO4E1DHbKcwzLpD3K4B1Ned0YnZpkAXoU6rzFBzdXfdJuAfB0EOymDSWLYEgVDlP1neY_scLA8SxtNyBZNzC9GuthAyW92PqNoXT7xn9DGFW5391d8I_x_ZI/w640-h366/Stornoway%20to%20Stromness.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The first anchorage was in Loch Laxford, a remote spot that's famous for being the base of John Ridgway's adventure training centre.</span><p></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMDlErcJu1ugwOCzHK9-QCYEhuqBghxdZx7np9Aa7Dpdr_o45kVFyUgUseBljKWgrFu_cWrGgRudFxj7AgRTeZoVzsZ-fB1ABw-4pWTAaFqSXy-8V48QJuQ4l2im-z3CQ9L-lg2ZDZEoUIeGzglH1PO-v-MxOLTwQhdDMPyPrW5WnKlYzaS2Xdut6/s1543/InkedLoch%20Laxford_LI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="1543" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMDlErcJu1ugwOCzHK9-QCYEhuqBghxdZx7np9Aa7Dpdr_o45kVFyUgUseBljKWgrFu_cWrGgRudFxj7AgRTeZoVzsZ-fB1ABw-4pWTAaFqSXy-8V48QJuQ4l2im-z3CQ9L-lg2ZDZEoUIeGzglH1PO-v-MxOLTwQhdDMPyPrW5WnKlYzaS2Xdut6/w640-h360/InkedLoch%20Laxford_LI.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our track into the anchorage</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OzPKrr_sWlppBRSUGxDXL6e0ocS43M3fHl78cssRXrqKsFMSDjPreAtz1Vd5P9YkBVH8a2d9wtgY1ACeZ5VaLY8wCsZTkz0LRKO_Buqs9xzmjiLcJuZ4iGg-dBYiXKHyEOaJSFk_fu_UkNgYN4b_bjQcXXuRmlKham8AKYCfX2vXgSP0iULj3NG8/s2010/IMG_3959mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="2010" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OzPKrr_sWlppBRSUGxDXL6e0ocS43M3fHl78cssRXrqKsFMSDjPreAtz1Vd5P9YkBVH8a2d9wtgY1ACeZ5VaLY8wCsZTkz0LRKO_Buqs9xzmjiLcJuZ4iGg-dBYiXKHyEOaJSFk_fu_UkNgYN4b_bjQcXXuRmlKham8AKYCfX2vXgSP0iULj3NG8/w640-h332/IMG_3959mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ridgway Adventure centre at Ardmore. The famous Bowman ketch English Rose VI is on the bank.</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">One of the reasons we were keen to visit Loch Laxford was that it was here that our friends Colin and Ana first met as instructors at the centre. Colin went on to work on English Rose VI to prepare her for the 1977-78 Whitbread Round the World Race. He was asked to join the crew on the yacht, which was branded as Debenhams for the race and was featured in an ITV documentary called Round the World with Ridgway. Colin probably isn't going to thank us for having found a YouTube version of the film, but it's here and we enjoyed him looking totally unenthusiastic during John Ridgway's safety briefing at 6 minutes, 20 seconds: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNlDKlUjl3U" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNlDKlUjl3U</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">From Loch Laxford, our next challenge was the rounding of Cape Wrath and the north west tip of the mainland. In the event, we had good wind and sea conditions and then a lively sail along the north coast.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYK4hGEMrLbiRJ8Y-33uIfbKmj_miD_-CzrHQfSPb7fKVr-rZkV1IzS2KJisvxJ-vK6-FwrdI2sbJmC9rGyd736-t3-kX-IzSMMgb_Q9URWPZ383M5um3HBLwu6J0yREt_ANSFUxkjU2YfbJdxc-WCdR6NsBUP4ovrm8H20RI02tPr_CAjTDWtR6Qp/s1672/IMG_3961mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYK4hGEMrLbiRJ8Y-33uIfbKmj_miD_-CzrHQfSPb7fKVr-rZkV1IzS2KJisvxJ-vK6-FwrdI2sbJmC9rGyd736-t3-kX-IzSMMgb_Q9URWPZ383M5um3HBLwu6J0yREt_ANSFUxkjU2YfbJdxc-WCdR6NsBUP4ovrm8H20RI02tPr_CAjTDWtR6Qp/w640-h480/IMG_3961mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goose-winged towards Cape Wrath</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMplx8cXmmW9F2XmrHvMoGpC4p6N_jUD8m4NswBXyfPgOCLVLqL53sCs3WVIRctJBLip6Si9_Qe0fZVW3vC3gz2jpX1zHYqlt3P1wwyiisfkJ8Lha7b_ksiDcmTLdjiBCnXwYZqu8kPsgfAMGmm-iHnJ23zvyw3WyLgQ1vvA-DiscgYtog7cCp0tam/s1940/GOPR0257mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1940" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMplx8cXmmW9F2XmrHvMoGpC4p6N_jUD8m4NswBXyfPgOCLVLqL53sCs3WVIRctJBLip6Si9_Qe0fZVW3vC3gz2jpX1zHYqlt3P1wwyiisfkJ8Lha7b_ksiDcmTLdjiBCnXwYZqu8kPsgfAMGmm-iHnJ23zvyw3WyLgQ1vvA-DiscgYtog7cCp0tam/w640-h356/GOPR0257mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFikpw-mqOheMIaiZakVniOsYZHCczAAbyqXje6hA0ooPEpDmYGPrLKv9GQOYvlTZNmLiUgaC9DN_3wy47EmDrEvwylWs05gv1eJRJRXocCZKs_B-n0p28sFr0vFX0ut-lIMg5LG7W4r5nQZt3NrKalmsJJsGp__Vm8vRpHPsBSJMH94Jr04MY1ua/s2073/P1080301mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1011" data-original-width="2073" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFikpw-mqOheMIaiZakVniOsYZHCczAAbyqXje6hA0ooPEpDmYGPrLKv9GQOYvlTZNmLiUgaC9DN_3wy47EmDrEvwylWs05gv1eJRJRXocCZKs_B-n0p28sFr0vFX0ut-lIMg5LG7W4r5nQZt3NrKalmsJJsGp__Vm8vRpHPsBSJMH94Jr04MY1ua/w640-h312/P1080301mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rounding the Cape and looking east</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We decided to enjoy a stopover in Loch Eriboll rather than making the longer passage to Orkney in one go, and we liked the look of a little natural harbour called Rispond Bay. When the sun peeked out briefly that evening, it was absolutely beautiful and Di was delighted to, at last, spot a sea otter scampering along the rocks next to us.</span><p></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MwAdwGtN9lYfVDFX1QErC6eRLkLWz6JRf0fxpFr6pR3ATPZGRbpdVpE2L-xg5OhbH64MrQuQ67hi78190NGCL5Dy4oTFpI6LrKkw4atKGuxknvaaIrjWVDt36c-lTTeM4xX_Ts2gDOuo_4FWsyobRk08IvxZYupZpunIoy_5BsLVAZUMoq_Oz-4i/s1930/FILE00502mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MwAdwGtN9lYfVDFX1QErC6eRLkLWz6JRf0fxpFr6pR3ATPZGRbpdVpE2L-xg5OhbH64MrQuQ67hi78190NGCL5Dy4oTFpI6LrKkw4atKGuxknvaaIrjWVDt36c-lTTeM4xX_Ts2gDOuo_4FWsyobRk08IvxZYupZpunIoy_5BsLVAZUMoq_Oz-4i/w640-h360/FILE00502mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clear water and a sandy bottom, though the various moorings and lobster pots prevented us from anchoring closer in.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguE8-2H5N92elNEBHfYZa_F14sPIJ-XIe0hhULkYMaWSnHFpa8PrAU7L4CWUnJQJoGEN7JfqMd_DHjH851DK7_E64-ynGL-CgUyLC_K53BnolZjbjlck7wmxAiR-9U7rhYwo4geh4G1UCnKL7_iHInCO03Qnu7vHTsf7kZODsxzAK2MBbjw-zXHe2I/s1930/FILE00506mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguE8-2H5N92elNEBHfYZa_F14sPIJ-XIe0hhULkYMaWSnHFpa8PrAU7L4CWUnJQJoGEN7JfqMd_DHjH851DK7_E64-ynGL-CgUyLC_K53BnolZjbjlck7wmxAiR-9U7rhYwo4geh4G1UCnKL7_iHInCO03Qnu7vHTsf7kZODsxzAK2MBbjw-zXHe2I/w640-h360/FILE00506mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a drying arm of the bay with a small stone quay used by local fishermen</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xdoaHuHtF16NImIGahYoWqgIatoEqKb0HxWFCPBV1nWmHw5-gEK8SsFzP2E2ipW-iPEAkzTtHAQ1y5Y5hQYRvwjQoHhTLbx0vwoZcjdlY9nWj0q5q1m8HyFcje_Y07mc-zR_09Uu7NGXyMVnF7P_EslrzcMQEyLRhVrqYaZAcLgztyAYZ0GhCJoE/s2047/FILE00510mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="2047" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xdoaHuHtF16NImIGahYoWqgIatoEqKb0HxWFCPBV1nWmHw5-gEK8SsFzP2E2ipW-iPEAkzTtHAQ1y5Y5hQYRvwjQoHhTLbx0vwoZcjdlY9nWj0q5q1m8HyFcje_Y07mc-zR_09Uu7NGXyMVnF7P_EslrzcMQEyLRhVrqYaZAcLgztyAYZ0GhCJoE/w640-h320/FILE00510mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dramatic skies</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The early-morning departure (not quite early enough, it would transpire) for Orkney gave us enough wind to sail for an hour before the breeze fizzled out and we had to motor. We had great views of a sea stack on the eastern side of Loch Eriboll and of the famous Old Man of Hoy as we approached Orkney.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTae7FNPLVuzz0mKrRNDJw4Q7mGaP4oZCWpd2sS5TaT4hLVYOpcfJzcVPitMmh8wQ-zUQiS8NanrDt7ruCM2MyDje3OtvTKoOBjujgGcGh4ap-mdXCKN0-vRleYZAXbMV1ZOoumZT1cAazc5HXmOp5KkLovTSkKyyBh3TtO3ksf5kD1UhbDRfW4uNY/s1911/IMG_0292mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1911" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTae7FNPLVuzz0mKrRNDJw4Q7mGaP4oZCWpd2sS5TaT4hLVYOpcfJzcVPitMmh8wQ-zUQiS8NanrDt7ruCM2MyDje3OtvTKoOBjujgGcGh4ap-mdXCKN0-vRleYZAXbMV1ZOoumZT1cAazc5HXmOp5KkLovTSkKyyBh3TtO3ksf5kD1UhbDRfW4uNY/w640-h368/IMG_0292mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoS-UWUL1g3U1jc-y6gTjxMoDvoLnonkRfNSxmQ4U6kdPJdBOAIEjdNmniGN6jaqoNDQK0fvaciV8W9kE7KJNZi5uHXPtVRWzOo6SDkBbp4NuXiBrWQYU4tHSajM_Qd544PCuuleXKfW771EBa68grYUb8lngOdD54h1o1QN0KRZRhBRLUcAiSp6Z/s2000/IMG_0301mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="2000" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoS-UWUL1g3U1jc-y6gTjxMoDvoLnonkRfNSxmQ4U6kdPJdBOAIEjdNmniGN6jaqoNDQK0fvaciV8W9kE7KJNZi5uHXPtVRWzOo6SDkBbp4NuXiBrWQYU4tHSajM_Qd544PCuuleXKfW771EBa68grYUb8lngOdD54h1o1QN0KRZRhBRLUcAiSp6Z/w640-h336/IMG_0301mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyf8feSXDn-wrUE9D27PZgCWXrsAHWKKPIlwZ0ulrf85iXcfZOr8jHQwBD2mMNg9z7NVPruPANaGJScstsztO8Z8_A8gtiy_z0shuTZAxMJFTf47S35KX6wclIAXTfBnIJh4OMQSHUIfSIw-_QDqQadgksk4uOs0B5QmqgPCeW8GqcQEbdthqey31G/s2119/IMG_0309mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="2119" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyf8feSXDn-wrUE9D27PZgCWXrsAHWKKPIlwZ0ulrf85iXcfZOr8jHQwBD2mMNg9z7NVPruPANaGJScstsztO8Z8_A8gtiy_z0shuTZAxMJFTf47S35KX6wclIAXTfBnIJh4OMQSHUIfSIw-_QDqQadgksk4uOs0B5QmqgPCeW8GqcQEbdthqey31G/w640-h298/IMG_0309mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Man of Hoy</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKPvQ-2SLrxzJP6hGxRBihS3MIzNfUlFaj-LU5NvafDWCH2V5wqhUdaKH85R85MlqTtgqvMSKnfZ8zIj-cY1ecHQYkTT72mEvpTlGiNJ1CnusjL6HkMQTzILmZFKBUChifrjrovfcwaLo_FfXEdonu9aI_7dvlQ8NesI-g0Xt3ELpKo4PP3gjBEtf/s1815/IMG_0318mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="1815" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKPvQ-2SLrxzJP6hGxRBihS3MIzNfUlFaj-LU5NvafDWCH2V5wqhUdaKH85R85MlqTtgqvMSKnfZ8zIj-cY1ecHQYkTT72mEvpTlGiNJ1CnusjL6HkMQTzILmZFKBUChifrjrovfcwaLo_FfXEdonu9aI_7dvlQ8NesI-g0Xt3ELpKo4PP3gjBEtf/w640-h408/IMG_0318mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even in calm weather the relentless swell pounding the cliffs creates a mini haze along the waterline</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyS-Li6518dFC_CGxLw7iL9GzEt0zThwiuhxPzfICm2MOzHHtxc8s76gRFAjzGjVHD4sHd9tMABp1U7pj3bDoMyENrkrsSB5G8CUnljbF8DhmlLRF2xPISnegRjF89o5pX_Nqgr6S7LnwfT6yWp48sFnSoCj9xBa5eOc5_r7sPbNTJzwhVUhAOxVv/s1638/IMG_0319mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1638" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyS-Li6518dFC_CGxLw7iL9GzEt0zThwiuhxPzfICm2MOzHHtxc8s76gRFAjzGjVHD4sHd9tMABp1U7pj3bDoMyENrkrsSB5G8CUnljbF8DhmlLRF2xPISnegRjF89o5pX_Nqgr6S7LnwfT6yWp48sFnSoCj9xBa5eOc5_r7sPbNTJzwhVUhAOxVv/w640-h500/IMG_0319mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cliffs are important seabird nesting sites</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Our entry into the Orkney islands was via Hoy Mouth where tides run fast, creating standing waves (where the wavy patterns are shown in the photo below) and, in strong onshore winds, it can be a very dangerous place to be at the wrong stage of tide.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaVPwBQg2rMGwEECB0Cj2snc9TnCACdQGTGgFNB1zxsHwqwFlt8KxUWKI6JdP0jkdaE1tyW9rH4K32FxR1fqQdUaOXiMiy4NYz59OH_rsMoUXhET4novsISMH2Xm0Q6CTVJ6efiRNbwRWafp5mEA4A5MJKMBKjkctC8MqjVOB88ZrX7z8IbdbhcFQ/s1419/Hoy%20Mouth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="1419" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaVPwBQg2rMGwEECB0Cj2snc9TnCACdQGTGgFNB1zxsHwqwFlt8KxUWKI6JdP0jkdaE1tyW9rH4K32FxR1fqQdUaOXiMiy4NYz59OH_rsMoUXhET4novsISMH2Xm0Q6CTVJ6efiRNbwRWafp5mEA4A5MJKMBKjkctC8MqjVOB88ZrX7z8IbdbhcFQ/w640-h400/Hoy%20Mouth.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />Unfortunately for us, the light winds and slower than expected east-going current on the crossing meant that we arrived about 30 minutes later than planned. The ebb tide had already just begun and we had to motor very hard to get in through the narrows before it reached its full 8 knot flow (which would have been faster than we can motor!) and the tidal waves developed. We were very pleased to get into the tidy little marina in Stromness and the anchor beer tasted especially good! It was a useful if salutary lesson on the power of Orkney tidal streams - it's no wonder that the place is </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">now the UK centre for tidal electricity generation!</span><p></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBuiQQe7NwkvixuLBbYPJNOVYxF2kQLO_EKI8YF06Sh-fTp9yPrI-PVPzcJTbZMonZF63GaVNLeO3Zh4PYoid1M3-HyAknSMFs0Era8FAjMmgAN1gl27JQa81hOhyGV6elKXX8Rgf5Af-HiDRLaG1Cc2DldVS3XTyCeRB8YDYXegE3yIdcD9ePchi/s2222/IMG_3986mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="2222" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBuiQQe7NwkvixuLBbYPJNOVYxF2kQLO_EKI8YF06Sh-fTp9yPrI-PVPzcJTbZMonZF63GaVNLeO3Zh4PYoid1M3-HyAknSMFs0Era8FAjMmgAN1gl27JQa81hOhyGV6elKXX8Rgf5Af-HiDRLaG1Cc2DldVS3XTyCeRB8YDYXegE3yIdcD9ePchi/w640-h272/IMG_3986mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stromness Marina</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Had there been any wind, the conditions in Hoy Mouth would have been very uncomfortable. The following day, with the beginning of near-gale conditions (oh, yes, again!) we walked out to look across the entrance, just as the ferry from Scrabster arrived.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ifHC2u1dMFWUcDr1oH0awgaC7vJsg6cqhYvruLNm1fSjcV_C2nixM30YRdvDrWMwF8C8NBd0KOBX_wR2-QByJCtj3QExZZRH1jq07vtcOLBkFtHfGJ639o5aPF3y1dJ3Fm1TUSGw2aKPDpYc56coGW7n0rOKAfZQl2Y-GVyCQWJYaJHPZw1vmQxt/s1845/IMG_0323mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1845" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ifHC2u1dMFWUcDr1oH0awgaC7vJsg6cqhYvruLNm1fSjcV_C2nixM30YRdvDrWMwF8C8NBd0KOBX_wR2-QByJCtj3QExZZRH1jq07vtcOLBkFtHfGJ639o5aPF3y1dJ3Fm1TUSGw2aKPDpYc56coGW7n0rOKAfZQl2Y-GVyCQWJYaJHPZw1vmQxt/w640-h394/IMG_0323mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The powerful ferry doing about 18 knots against the 7 knot ebb tide</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLg9QdNQV9_nAcrWNNZDjHD2pOdh9avCFBmaouij_DWDEwvUMne1DGZADdemBn5x1UOf_wmfuAEP8ZrW-RtXMVBzsumfeXHlSj7FZP63kGyPmkyQAV-uBBfaSbQbyqiBBciYgIUrhPNYuDbQlIitUesGjBmqWloQY_fsAvptPFDUcT-VKkOfpNxNNg/s2137/IMG_0343mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="2137" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLg9QdNQV9_nAcrWNNZDjHD2pOdh9avCFBmaouij_DWDEwvUMne1DGZADdemBn5x1UOf_wmfuAEP8ZrW-RtXMVBzsumfeXHlSj7FZP63kGyPmkyQAV-uBBfaSbQbyqiBBciYgIUrhPNYuDbQlIitUesGjBmqWloQY_fsAvptPFDUcT-VKkOfpNxNNg/w640-h294/IMG_0343mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing waves developing in the narrows</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2DDHOIQQ5KleihQQ9SkbJh6WWAyE2X0MVVd1xtZpvmB-qc6A2cEFQlNmJRLHzs9eVb-BbTy6DSUUYaaXJv5ElBUX-AJ5naTWDPK4Ps8echiCXA0VWWlPzFDb5j1b3YzkYN3DflokU9xYWbP82hBR_lUPGiBq38ZxT906JQ5qNxZu3qdhjSHgyCj2/s1971/IMG_0354mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1971" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2DDHOIQQ5KleihQQ9SkbJh6WWAyE2X0MVVd1xtZpvmB-qc6A2cEFQlNmJRLHzs9eVb-BbTy6DSUUYaaXJv5ElBUX-AJ5naTWDPK4Ps8echiCXA0VWWlPzFDb5j1b3YzkYN3DflokU9xYWbP82hBR_lUPGiBq38ZxT906JQ5qNxZu3qdhjSHgyCj2/w640-h346/IMG_0354mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As the ebb current develops, the whole sound is a mass of white water</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zG6d8b6GilzizRcBhZ4xXM3OiVzQ0_2bndDZcG_1VrMl7G2KES4jQSY4h1VUO_Rt0e0DElbJlwU-eFFzw9XFNBqzCMdBwJNhBIMxjvVyty0NUx-Q-IFqEZwX7frQqmJlU7so0ZruByX74YIO7qOd_Rb54-o-F0ki7njnMbScNznwNV3iIZFBhbED/s2215/IMG_0359mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="946" data-original-width="2215" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zG6d8b6GilzizRcBhZ4xXM3OiVzQ0_2bndDZcG_1VrMl7G2KES4jQSY4h1VUO_Rt0e0DElbJlwU-eFFzw9XFNBqzCMdBwJNhBIMxjvVyty0NUx-Q-IFqEZwX7frQqmJlU7so0ZruByX74YIO7qOd_Rb54-o-F0ki7njnMbScNznwNV3iIZFBhbED/w640-h274/IMG_0359mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The RNLI lifeboat launched as we watched</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We are getting to know the little town of Stromness pretty well as, once again, we are gale-bound. </span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgExndWQ9dQUciNPKG2vM1E73HpCmz7JM3q7HjHRns1--WcGVB3bSkvQbOs8YaLNk8IruQe_x_OyzFGbGFERfDBQWYlKnESeq3urlzcG_PbJYZk4Fntlnf3lcUXtltZ-89FChqwDoQkAmwgXi4DCZ4KAU6Dly6Q1CD8MGL-_q6tA2ObaJv0xYN_iY/s1346/Windy%20in%20Stromness.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="1346" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgExndWQ9dQUciNPKG2vM1E73HpCmz7JM3q7HjHRns1--WcGVB3bSkvQbOs8YaLNk8IruQe_x_OyzFGbGFERfDBQWYlKnESeq3urlzcG_PbJYZk4Fntlnf3lcUXtltZ-89FChqwDoQkAmwgXi4DCZ4KAU6Dly6Q1CD8MGL-_q6tA2ObaJv0xYN_iY/w640-h376/Windy%20in%20Stromness.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yesterday's conditions</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We have good shelter in the marina but the wind and rain whistling through the rigging is a bit wearing. Graham has inducted several unoccupied yachts into The Dishonourable Fellowship of the Hairy String - tying flapping, tinging ropes away from their metal masts where the wind was causing a cacophonous ringing that drives you mad. He uses the grottiest bits of string or rope available and uses lots of difficult-to-undo knots, just to make the point!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The town itself has some interesting buildings, an unusual flag-stoned road that snakes between them and some fascinating glimpses of historic events of significance.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtfuxIsDqfVGEC4ukd26gTwU-yzdxUd39m95ckacrGKoPAMUyu53bgtU2zgG1vtt4KXldwbJeEiVqb0Jkkt-ix6WZkJsuqx-358iaXnVJ56Ly9Rye5qicHBd3ZNNuh6A3bCeq6THqW8Lk35UYzwb1sXG9fcXcUy8jOFb1E05UBwBJkQ8KxlbK70ey/s1773/IMG_0363mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1773" data-original-width="1182" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtfuxIsDqfVGEC4ukd26gTwU-yzdxUd39m95ckacrGKoPAMUyu53bgtU2zgG1vtt4KXldwbJeEiVqb0Jkkt-ix6WZkJsuqx-358iaXnVJ56Ly9Rye5qicHBd3ZNNuh6A3bCeq6THqW8Lk35UYzwb1sXG9fcXcUy8jOFb1E05UBwBJkQ8KxlbK70ey/w426-h640/IMG_0363mr.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmb426uXT30fRQqfWDtCgYClC8kzensxiiT-kKX9Coh9qOBx8nYYVNaoqmVzCtYV_eLw6-QPSIdB-LaPRDszjCDSqcNVJ5LSKlY2tGnAjdloQxqvGUf6HYH_YU7miRgOsQGFI5VhY6dC4dvuWl6t7VpdsASeVnVEEJ8M7gtw7lsuUxSC1qeKBR9mQy/s1773/IMG_0367mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1182" data-original-width="1773" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmb426uXT30fRQqfWDtCgYClC8kzensxiiT-kKX9Coh9qOBx8nYYVNaoqmVzCtYV_eLw6-QPSIdB-LaPRDszjCDSqcNVJ5LSKlY2tGnAjdloQxqvGUf6HYH_YU7miRgOsQGFI5VhY6dC4dvuWl6t7VpdsASeVnVEEJ8M7gtw7lsuUxSC1qeKBR9mQy/w640-h426/IMG_0367mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A traditional Orkney Yole at acnhor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsviNvLehEqcnXjvAEgPeqaAoTdz2qAww8IXeATdrYZ2UlR0Fk89z-FNwkiLqf6yq7-pvcKXEZgAeOhWExHxHR7uglwmgSo0JVle3AqYs2rhj-maLpLYiIm1Hz_BQrCt_G0l7sPtKUmhtE1CGx7XwMmR1OG137zseHBB2NRIr2_CCGaV7pxeYIi4Kh/s1773/IMG_0371mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1773" data-original-width="1182" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsviNvLehEqcnXjvAEgPeqaAoTdz2qAww8IXeATdrYZ2UlR0Fk89z-FNwkiLqf6yq7-pvcKXEZgAeOhWExHxHR7uglwmgSo0JVle3AqYs2rhj-maLpLYiIm1Hz_BQrCt_G0l7sPtKUmhtE1CGx7XwMmR1OG137zseHBB2NRIr2_CCGaV7pxeYIi4Kh/w426-h640/IMG_0371mr.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Limited views and no on-street parking</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9CcPZIOQopPasgySkcxFLieNMf_avbAGqgHFWU1nf6FlvfAUvhE_laScmM_Dldfd59rdjqLIhHxzFnmRfPxIWCVkNqw8MoRpfOdJ5MT_ZerSFNwPq4N80I24ABHbTQp9d0ZAkvLTqXpekiAq4U3QtUKfTLbZD_b22aJQSn0JTg0fTPQ20l40VsYv/s1448/IMG_3967mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="1448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9CcPZIOQopPasgySkcxFLieNMf_avbAGqgHFWU1nf6FlvfAUvhE_laScmM_Dldfd59rdjqLIhHxzFnmRfPxIWCVkNqw8MoRpfOdJ5MT_ZerSFNwPq4N80I24ABHbTQp9d0ZAkvLTqXpekiAq4U3QtUKfTLbZD_b22aJQSn0JTg0fTPQ20l40VsYv/w640-h640/IMG_3967mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAZdGWvmx8Nbg946Z5f2aS-XmlLeoe89L59kF9MYx_s407x9lDc9Xo1RIKZ8eU5_6NraGYIrlHeUOE7iUs30I3Nanjrrh3hDQ6AaHl8tDZTT8_dR6pe5NMPU7h_8TKolH-ST4x4Ifkzn67VQGqPVuWHE7w2Kw2JaP6VUD_9tGtAkGOl2dmsvqG_7b/s1450/IMG_3968mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1445" data-original-width="1450" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAZdGWvmx8Nbg946Z5f2aS-XmlLeoe89L59kF9MYx_s407x9lDc9Xo1RIKZ8eU5_6NraGYIrlHeUOE7iUs30I3Nanjrrh3hDQ6AaHl8tDZTT8_dR6pe5NMPU7h_8TKolH-ST4x4Ifkzn67VQGqPVuWHE7w2Kw2JaP6VUD_9tGtAkGOl2dmsvqG_7b/w640-h638/IMG_3968mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Palin has written a fascinating book called Eribus that charts the story of the Franklin expedition; thoroughly recommended,</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJBl6u_RDKaD7ZXefGQc_VnYucliGM8FcglR8ONaoSFO7k4vTq-2qwYmeLnUswuPGgJCvUHC-D1YjATyX2LrrFMj_dxw22EOiiB1LPZ98NVUf5HtTvwfYrV8Lijkmnu6hNB-yEe3ubYif3byvt27gmTA5pVeUKWDHBofkkskc9kksa5mJfuESzG2L/s1539/IMG_3970mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="1362" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJBl6u_RDKaD7ZXefGQc_VnYucliGM8FcglR8ONaoSFO7k4vTq-2qwYmeLnUswuPGgJCvUHC-D1YjATyX2LrrFMj_dxw22EOiiB1LPZ98NVUf5HtTvwfYrV8Lijkmnu6hNB-yEe3ubYif3byvt27gmTA5pVeUKWDHBofkkskc9kksa5mJfuESzG2L/w566-h640/IMG_3970mr.JPG" width="566" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The wind is forecast to drop tonight (at last!) but the sea-state in Hoy Mouth will remain unpleasant for a couple of days, according to the locals, so we plan to do an 'east-about', as they are known here. This will involve sailing out through the southern entrance of Scapa Flow and then up the east coast of South Ronaldsay and around to the main port of Kirkwall (the excellent Highland Park distillery has to be visited again!); if conditions allow, we'll then sail north up to the island of Westray. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Finally, we have been hearing how trying the heatwave conditions have been back home. By contrast, Dianne is wearing the latest Orkney summer fashion:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoKlzYzbAm4xgdEDk0tjgVrG0GJJiaEedmU4AlaP44Dd8x7SVxy2mVVjXKfgcapZL3DDo3kZHwbFshA2fmWGa6r3qrHCcV035XUKcjaKSxDlXH-15wGl6_MABYx0jE1cUHFJw3XCofX_tRvAAHTUzl5hW_8DmgTfUaOWc9c5OX3Gv1-YF5StrBFOV/s1524/IMG_3993mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1524" data-original-width="1375" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoKlzYzbAm4xgdEDk0tjgVrG0GJJiaEedmU4AlaP44Dd8x7SVxy2mVVjXKfgcapZL3DDo3kZHwbFshA2fmWGa6r3qrHCcV035XUKcjaKSxDlXH-15wGl6_MABYx0jE1cUHFJw3XCofX_tRvAAHTUzl5hW_8DmgTfUaOWc9c5OX3Gv1-YF5StrBFOV/w578-h640/IMG_3993mr.JPG" width="578" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-69303901301307674962022-06-17T09:25:00.000+01:002022-06-17T09:25:03.363+01:00Farewell to the Outer Hebrides<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">On Monday, after over three weeks in the beautiful Outer Hebrides where we endured two gales that topped and tailed a week of fabulous weather, we headed back to the mainland not before we spotted a lightening of the skies and a reduction in the wind to hire a car to explore Lewis. We're very happy that we did and found some memorable places.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlvxfEWG17ORnaJjAzGXCGAiURl7QaHX7MUN6CdDHZuPI9azBtQjqLO1czATF73AdakOpjasBCDlWd-fJc8ilTuS3TJZxT6aC_yeZDMUsNa3GXHdocXdQC0IDaq6IiR5AXwEwL0yZ1JWnzvq-SVbluhFHv_oyAXvpyXb8gt6E5chv5jK3YcXKoQOs/s2328/P1080295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="2328" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlvxfEWG17ORnaJjAzGXCGAiURl7QaHX7MUN6CdDHZuPI9azBtQjqLO1czATF73AdakOpjasBCDlWd-fJc8ilTuS3TJZxT6aC_yeZDMUsNa3GXHdocXdQC0IDaq6IiR5AXwEwL0yZ1JWnzvq-SVbluhFHv_oyAXvpyXb8gt6E5chv5jK3YcXKoQOs/w640-h240/P1080295.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Lewis is definitely an island of two characters. The northern half is relatively low-lying moorland (no trees, they all blew across to the mainland long ago) whilst the southern area, as it joins Harris, is impressively hilly. The south west coast is particularly beautiful and we were lucky that we chose to do the south in the afternoon when the sun peeked out.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIVPxEImh8REfp9yZ_BAmny6HfR2GuKUhtrsEhsUE5jHZ0enfwS85vRkm7Q1xhjW27Mzk05AyvObDj46Dp7YyImWdRdVth6nHmK2OxCQThel__SdZsemQLvko4sgJ1ZTDyQ4zs6OOwBf_tR8x8t9GO_yh_H7bQVa4w4_kpdewgPr6Zvzo-8glAOp8/s1779/P1080299mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1779" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIVPxEImh8REfp9yZ_BAmny6HfR2GuKUhtrsEhsUE5jHZ0enfwS85vRkm7Q1xhjW27Mzk05AyvObDj46Dp7YyImWdRdVth6nHmK2OxCQThel__SdZsemQLvko4sgJ1ZTDyQ4zs6OOwBf_tR8x8t9GO_yh_H7bQVa4w4_kpdewgPr6Zvzo-8glAOp8/w640-h424/P1080299mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Here are a few photos to give you an idea of the place. We should say that we had the car on a Sunday and broadly everywhere in Lewis shuts on a Sunday, including all the tourist attractions and cafes!</span><p></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidChm_0zL_S7vyd5GLosP6vJWC1AxBWUN5PysU-Qrva82h9QWd1NEvMv-rh8_AW3JTo9gJH32S7MmAdTsdBJUr9YxYrhSmrAONx4XojP8xhtUuyKERGu1QW4zD3a69aUiTNg-9ejZVbP8f5Sd0ruI67irAEw9I-PxgO6agO402qoQMedemy0ttt2lj/s2055/IMG_3927mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="2055" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidChm_0zL_S7vyd5GLosP6vJWC1AxBWUN5PysU-Qrva82h9QWd1NEvMv-rh8_AW3JTo9gJH32S7MmAdTsdBJUr9YxYrhSmrAONx4XojP8xhtUuyKERGu1QW4zD3a69aUiTNg-9ejZVbP8f5Sd0ruI67irAEw9I-PxgO6agO402qoQMedemy0ttt2lj/w640-h318/IMG_3927mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The inner harbour and marina in Stornoway</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZr4XYvCODsAaYssSfmpCjKAOQZVA2uX9AEusH9f-j1T6y4udh6OuJtzsH-xUn8oDAKE38tpVoRIzQ4Lmy_7K6GtR8_eGsF9mC18bWGUDYFsO83coNG0BdIt4j6a39K5xqqtSDZ7GLBj6msTdcNg3RdTJCG7bgRTao80he6t5FVT7u6f2kxEY_P3K/s1930/P1080277mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZr4XYvCODsAaYssSfmpCjKAOQZVA2uX9AEusH9f-j1T6y4udh6OuJtzsH-xUn8oDAKE38tpVoRIzQ4Lmy_7K6GtR8_eGsF9mC18bWGUDYFsO83coNG0BdIt4j6a39K5xqqtSDZ7GLBj6msTdcNg3RdTJCG7bgRTao80he6t5FVT7u6f2kxEY_P3K/w640-h360/P1080277mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lighthouse on Tiumpan Head at the tip of the Eye Peninsula, east of Stornoway</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrbVvc-lmnaru39_Kd9R4RAw-_OvZObPpZL8ww4h2OGLlGEy1Ddafmz_7koG417KYDI_wm8xEroEK17LAjaEzeEcCQvJF3ByJVwhPaxY3lt9ieGICD36MDfOeN2WWxD4Fq025Ip5N5JhO19E1TRzLAMqkyuUqB-u3ESAkeq7xERMsKMswDV3ng4up/s1930/P1080278mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrbVvc-lmnaru39_Kd9R4RAw-_OvZObPpZL8ww4h2OGLlGEy1Ddafmz_7koG417KYDI_wm8xEroEK17LAjaEzeEcCQvJF3ByJVwhPaxY3lt9ieGICD36MDfOeN2WWxD4Fq025Ip5N5JhO19E1TRzLAMqkyuUqB-u3ESAkeq7xERMsKMswDV3ng4up/w640-h360/P1080278mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Iolaire memorial - on the 1st January 1919, His Majesty's Yacht Iolaire was bringing around 290 Lewis men back from the war when a navigation error led to her foundering on rocks known as the Beasts of Holm in a terrible gale. More than 200 perished in spite of the wreck being just yards from the shore. One man, John Finlay Macleod, bravely dived into the chaotic seas with a rope and managed to swim ashore, creating a lifeline that saved 40 men. On top of the 1000 Lewis men who died in the trenches, this additional loss of life had a profound impact on life in the islands.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OKKtFPxr3nCfryaDhp7jn9gzdS2sBZGJwuJ23KTrHKS5IijsKjjXSOjKEdP0rKHxqMXei1qQ9dT0WA5uDlUxpmlHRzgKItq0yg7oVl9G6KUnIQ995tcmecMPtm0mGUEhB0KXKTd9tmUL-NH2xyiH3TbGF7m7wY8czRemaCon2yosZICQQt9I0b-x/s2174/P1080281mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="964" data-original-width="2174" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OKKtFPxr3nCfryaDhp7jn9gzdS2sBZGJwuJ23KTrHKS5IijsKjjXSOjKEdP0rKHxqMXei1qQ9dT0WA5uDlUxpmlHRzgKItq0yg7oVl9G6KUnIQ995tcmecMPtm0mGUEhB0KXKTd9tmUL-NH2xyiH3TbGF7m7wY8czRemaCon2yosZICQQt9I0b-x/w640-h284/P1080281mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bridge to Nowhere - in 1920 Lord Leverhulme who then owned the island, started a project to build a road up the east coast from North Tolsta to the Point of Ness. It involved building a reinforced concrete bridge but the project was abandoned in 1921, leaving this relic</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcU941XSJ-8Zqo9aasz1Ijr8NeC9V_ZhUQe2xaikHOP72UjZreKiQN5sSYpSQgpxJMQ-lZYBXzS9w6EdYYniIwDmyDyzava5HNYBHHpRxV7BqzMXrIeL9NQv_nHrCfYAfhhqa_3lPyh3_XvChISG9pm2_APoGrsjbJ6AtMd1mqkPJ3Jr6xk9EVfxw/s1930/P1080283mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcU941XSJ-8Zqo9aasz1Ijr8NeC9V_ZhUQe2xaikHOP72UjZreKiQN5sSYpSQgpxJMQ-lZYBXzS9w6EdYYniIwDmyDyzava5HNYBHHpRxV7BqzMXrIeL9NQv_nHrCfYAfhhqa_3lPyh3_XvChISG9pm2_APoGrsjbJ6AtMd1mqkPJ3Jr6xk9EVfxw/w640-h360/P1080283mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81ifEef52HKAAW-byGnz5ok0su4dwxT5NHzCAjvA9MlGGyMXdyDUEUOZ_hUn9s3guz5toJIUT1mOQ-F-gJit5kZSz8rnSUBLeDqiATcJMLeueHQqPcHBtGC14kUYHrwCN0M5aVCJBHWAoqpdpne-t9922Mmz1Ex-02sQaqtSsj2RW9NAD5igHXmjQ/s2332/IMG_3935lr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="2332" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81ifEef52HKAAW-byGnz5ok0su4dwxT5NHzCAjvA9MlGGyMXdyDUEUOZ_hUn9s3guz5toJIUT1mOQ-F-gJit5kZSz8rnSUBLeDqiATcJMLeueHQqPcHBtGC14kUYHrwCN0M5aVCJBHWAoqpdpne-t9922Mmz1Ex-02sQaqtSsj2RW9NAD5igHXmjQ/w640-h246/IMG_3935lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Butt of Lewis lighthouse, at the northern tip of the island</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInCYqCCETsTqJxduG6ZW4dc4uJ5CnfRehgHqbhIwdUILllpW2PrFB9IXVmeCyfOmLL1tL-DBRpBJdf0VUMYxJj8fZe_1wOKNtEqjK_faMzpfyueAc1ZX7dMMsPdVVCUjezgU1YtXSIEKTiwii4DDFXIWqRGM8NDHKkYhAHMBNX5ao0Ub4E_3I-A5r/s2409/IMG_3937mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="2409" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInCYqCCETsTqJxduG6ZW4dc4uJ5CnfRehgHqbhIwdUILllpW2PrFB9IXVmeCyfOmLL1tL-DBRpBJdf0VUMYxJj8fZe_1wOKNtEqjK_faMzpfyueAc1ZX7dMMsPdVVCUjezgU1YtXSIEKTiwii4DDFXIWqRGM8NDHKkYhAHMBNX5ao0Ub4E_3I-A5r/w640-h232/IMG_3937mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qNrimwEhlqhD5ps2dCef_ozRsxwedumRqhQ1VBqNLvifesn_2_f7WSdPqyRtI1eN676wq2NqGQMjYj3WXhwQy0skXzSywEXmHIDFYKUHfpSlZbV0wTCLUFJEeJlOoZUXvY_Ks8zwv8pwJoN5Eur1NJ22cHn4wTlfrrUZRyrdiiwStJHNtbztgc3e/s1879/IMG_3939mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="1879" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qNrimwEhlqhD5ps2dCef_ozRsxwedumRqhQ1VBqNLvifesn_2_f7WSdPqyRtI1eN676wq2NqGQMjYj3WXhwQy0skXzSywEXmHIDFYKUHfpSlZbV0wTCLUFJEeJlOoZUXvY_Ks8zwv8pwJoN5Eur1NJ22cHn4wTlfrrUZRyrdiiwStJHNtbztgc3e/w640-h380/IMG_3939mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A restored Lewis Blackhouse, once a common sight on the island. A peat fire would burn in an open hearth all year round, with the smoke escaping through the thatched roof. The space inside would be shared by people and their animals</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLouhsH1hLp1tV4MIO5yK2hZ53qD3yTxiwg6-80hyM3c4Kk7pfbsKfOIAwMN87R91KHU9kWXLXof2CDaxBgNq8uz-EHx-1rtdtg96G1k0In7BbYtlnJ-qvDgqx6SHBZr-jugGAp0iOcV5QV6M-F1t5wCL52X_TR9CbQPJTgR-QgumIJ7BFODmb-CYx/s1817/IMG_3943mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="1817" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLouhsH1hLp1tV4MIO5yK2hZ53qD3yTxiwg6-80hyM3c4Kk7pfbsKfOIAwMN87R91KHU9kWXLXof2CDaxBgNq8uz-EHx-1rtdtg96G1k0In7BbYtlnJ-qvDgqx6SHBZr-jugGAp0iOcV5QV6M-F1t5wCL52X_TR9CbQPJTgR-QgumIJ7BFODmb-CYx/w640-h406/IMG_3943mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing stones at Callanish</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMEBYWC9iJ8i3kUqCDIgnmoJ5ZkFdlvgNw0wvUIIvJqcKWaAyXQCfUsneIbSTU8gO-hIbR1lXNZC2i0qAUqGB9mJQbQJprd8arYZ92kBokoyjocXkRnweOjrxNlXXEJnNVnErmVNJJwRM3TWz1HxMBuvlWimlfCroyldzHlJZxxzQ1v_oelKl1dYb/s1509/IMG_3944mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1509" data-original-width="1389" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMEBYWC9iJ8i3kUqCDIgnmoJ5ZkFdlvgNw0wvUIIvJqcKWaAyXQCfUsneIbSTU8gO-hIbR1lXNZC2i0qAUqGB9mJQbQJprd8arYZ92kBokoyjocXkRnweOjrxNlXXEJnNVnErmVNJJwRM3TWz1HxMBuvlWimlfCroyldzHlJZxxzQ1v_oelKl1dYb/w590-h640/IMG_3944mr.JPG" width="590" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A splendid couple in full highland dress; the gentleman sported a sword and an American accent!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycPG-kVgRXG_UBfLgsTLXGD15sTcKoP7Mv0i12Ww7p_mSAV2s7pGZxeVysMPGldG2SpGDd6FsUFRQAL6XBiVowUlYBNV4urzTZwF_4XE7Gzj7mtRrk1ovggtDBcTsfYMq533XLv2di1noji_Gfy08cJaRsnwSLEWP9Hh4NhEvpuakgaWEtLE_uwp0/s2166/P1080288mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="2166" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycPG-kVgRXG_UBfLgsTLXGD15sTcKoP7Mv0i12Ww7p_mSAV2s7pGZxeVysMPGldG2SpGDd6FsUFRQAL6XBiVowUlYBNV4urzTZwF_4XE7Gzj7mtRrk1ovggtDBcTsfYMq533XLv2di1noji_Gfy08cJaRsnwSLEWP9Hh4NhEvpuakgaWEtLE_uwp0/w640-h286/P1080288mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impressive harbour-building at the tiny Port of Ness</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UJY0nVB5XGCCWj3dj4nNeYPLjFO54whxbmNXljLGrlP9yq9tNtvuaB8jD-iiuO7gd4zqYD7c7mCctaMiLLIG0Fx0o4Aq-jGeLxteoZINklVfDdm_OngM_7HuE731xd4dt_cDCeTZCDOMlskmHv4qB0wUWwhGTyfB_PeILUf9c-hW42O8Y7FlYMIu/s2186/P1080289mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="2186" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UJY0nVB5XGCCWj3dj4nNeYPLjFO54whxbmNXljLGrlP9yq9tNtvuaB8jD-iiuO7gd4zqYD7c7mCctaMiLLIG0Fx0o4Aq-jGeLxteoZINklVfDdm_OngM_7HuE731xd4dt_cDCeTZCDOMlskmHv4qB0wUWwhGTyfB_PeILUf9c-hW42O8Y7FlYMIu/w640-h280/P1080289mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They built a drying harbour whose narrow entrance must be challenging in anything but calm weather</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9juz1ggXo5wCNFTL3GQN84NnqnsI4PtzA5hwUVnTFfYqiNs8-izhrbfofUrq-K6L_8C6Gqzz4pA_b639CIX_hypPjcA26HNDoBxVnFV_O5oPgR6sm4AvbIkThW8Nr0INyfWkFWR0ukB2YOi7IJ7qR7Gn7QWpqDK4r0qSDyymGQPYZZqxrb_Vfk6_/s2227/P1080292mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="941" data-original-width="2227" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9juz1ggXo5wCNFTL3GQN84NnqnsI4PtzA5hwUVnTFfYqiNs8-izhrbfofUrq-K6L_8C6Gqzz4pA_b639CIX_hypPjcA26HNDoBxVnFV_O5oPgR6sm4AvbIkThW8Nr0INyfWkFWR0ukB2YOi7IJ7qR7Gn7QWpqDK4r0qSDyymGQPYZZqxrb_Vfk6_/w640-h270/P1080292mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tombs with a View on the western end of Great Bernara island </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqb4FqOfH8t1gG9LTe7JWUW5PKxEX-MMr751JIQ5FtW8PAmKw29WrVradZReaCKKaHFrP4lNPz8vSdCN4rLEi4eqHh9KteVh9WYvlC7M287144UhXZ_wAmQ5IEyiUM-te25Wma0v7575pgxiMuwlAWeMaxZuiO1K-lynhMu9yaoFOtfK-HAmJ3-_3e/s2343/IMG_3946mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="2343" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqb4FqOfH8t1gG9LTe7JWUW5PKxEX-MMr751JIQ5FtW8PAmKw29WrVradZReaCKKaHFrP4lNPz8vSdCN4rLEi4eqHh9KteVh9WYvlC7M287144UhXZ_wAmQ5IEyiUM-te25Wma0v7575pgxiMuwlAWeMaxZuiO1K-lynhMu9yaoFOtfK-HAmJ3-_3e/w640-h244/IMG_3946mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtahe97q5_mrnYJOMTzX0iUiQ0zz3Md2Hf97DczhfUoKSvjT3jGmcPdD4uxo2pExdNgp4qP5iGOmmZfTdHBTCJDqYwnzzM5l6aJv2KTArV1ct7X4nA9x2twVKIEkqxtnpkXIGoToJg8JXlAVwFp2cvwdfzaidJC4dYga7NznnICtKVUfNdQ7vgtoM7/s2391/IMG_3948mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="2391" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtahe97q5_mrnYJOMTzX0iUiQ0zz3Md2Hf97DczhfUoKSvjT3jGmcPdD4uxo2pExdNgp4qP5iGOmmZfTdHBTCJDqYwnzzM5l6aJv2KTArV1ct7X4nA9x2twVKIEkqxtnpkXIGoToJg8JXlAVwFp2cvwdfzaidJC4dYga7NznnICtKVUfNdQ7vgtoM7/w640-h234/IMG_3948mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another picturesque final resting place</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKn3KwGstDWTg0LXlJzYQJfCZg-TwPHeKGJAAklAdYz0zahWUnXmtXnNu7-eshGXYa9o0J-lWriCzm3HRskd7RIkO9bar8cd9nSavxHfoybXv_ZXIzgPIZ-HJ7IW9mfRjny5_FjeP02c7iW--V-Bflc0HV_ZMbU6HizepbLEo8bRX-6w6FgmhlxEe/s1834/IMG_3952mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1834" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKn3KwGstDWTg0LXlJzYQJfCZg-TwPHeKGJAAklAdYz0zahWUnXmtXnNu7-eshGXYa9o0J-lWriCzm3HRskd7RIkO9bar8cd9nSavxHfoybXv_ZXIzgPIZ-HJ7IW9mfRjny5_FjeP02c7iW--V-Bflc0HV_ZMbU6HizepbLEo8bRX-6w6FgmhlxEe/w640-h398/IMG_3952mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moment the sun finally shone on Stornoway</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When we were sailing into the harbour, we followed an interesting wooden vessel with tan coloured sails called Swan. We met her crew in the very good Indian restaurant and Graham was invited aboard the following day as he walked past. Swan is 120 years old, built in Lerwick and the last example of the Shetland Herring Drifters. She was rescued, having sunk in Hartlepool docks and rebuilt by a charitable trust to provide sail training and charter trips from her Shetland base.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9WViXX2ED9H_SpfwSPDWF-FKBL_Ywp0Y2Qws63HTlM0WwolHzgn2hCZ21oUUDDbV_u4_VP61eZh7SBTjYDIcdANHeTZX6V5WWGX190n4dc57yHxIJNMBNj2uKMevh8LgDKSJxsPoDZ44IjqWfaoc_BjErhWp5xpntDWWH0Vjb3qzBCxw4B76hHQS/s1672/IMG_3949mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9WViXX2ED9H_SpfwSPDWF-FKBL_Ywp0Y2Qws63HTlM0WwolHzgn2hCZ21oUUDDbV_u4_VP61eZh7SBTjYDIcdANHeTZX6V5WWGX190n4dc57yHxIJNMBNj2uKMevh8LgDKSJxsPoDZ44IjqWfaoc_BjErhWp5xpntDWWH0Vjb3qzBCxw4B76hHQS/w640-h480/IMG_3949mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7AflcBdl4IGV8T1CjIsp6u9jhl3p013I_6WmMa1ac8nHQAUAs5UkgWL-RVgU_GYOmq1d7fUdEmHRjL1k8C4VmyIsVtCG4TAksZMULWEAuUHtqJJV1y7xC_zAghtrckbd48XHIs5S66cjC3UhLfW8Mg7LKK6aYKkd909Od_mSJOOvceZlvN4fnkNh/s1672/IMG_3951mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7AflcBdl4IGV8T1CjIsp6u9jhl3p013I_6WmMa1ac8nHQAUAs5UkgWL-RVgU_GYOmq1d7fUdEmHRjL1k8C4VmyIsVtCG4TAksZMULWEAuUHtqJJV1y7xC_zAghtrckbd48XHIs5S66cjC3UhLfW8Mg7LKK6aYKkd909Od_mSJOOvceZlvN4fnkNh/w640-h480/IMG_3951mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Her skipper is a 28 year old woman called Maggie who is also a member of the Lerwick lifeboat crew and an award-winning fiddle player as well - this link shows her at the Glenfiddich Fiddle Championship in 2018 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc0T67A91lQ" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc0T67A91lQ</a></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">With the weather finally showing signs of improvement, and us feeling that we'd explored all that we wanted of Stornoway, we sailed a few miles south for our final Hebridean anchorage of Loch Mharabhig which, despite the gloomy skies, was a beautiful place.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHwDrR3CljOoWbeMFTG3wXdhwqiENtq-L8Z0MnYY7xsRTLUJE1Z2eaYqgGUrP2UHCp-NRq3cH3RXW2nn03gerH8zwDOHudC0LtOd64DxJTlobKnr0LuuD_0Hi3zypo4OQolcccy3wRcoH-FMKKtOZoPJr4NiL6Y5lJcD88psxKXYeBVnAfehLhxvj/s1930/FILE00484mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHwDrR3CljOoWbeMFTG3wXdhwqiENtq-L8Z0MnYY7xsRTLUJE1Z2eaYqgGUrP2UHCp-NRq3cH3RXW2nn03gerH8zwDOHudC0LtOd64DxJTlobKnr0LuuD_0Hi3zypo4OQolcccy3wRcoH-FMKKtOZoPJr4NiL6Y5lJcD88psxKXYeBVnAfehLhxvj/w640-h360/FILE00484mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loch Mharabhig, looking east.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjiY7Ylj5ryoSwv81DuTMi8VXr4Hk6_QGL_HJ7nWA6hTdU8gzqDWKaosCaDUQk-wT1RZOTy5OyULjzGC7FhyMwJjx7V7QkTvdHHjfTr-KM9VtYTprw_CZTqdDmK8u4otF06oP3c_eRJg7pNRdHFGiP0D1Q9opetoU8zG2V04uwmkhdtVvPT149h0_/s1930/FILE00492mr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjiY7Ylj5ryoSwv81DuTMi8VXr4Hk6_QGL_HJ7nWA6hTdU8gzqDWKaosCaDUQk-wT1RZOTy5OyULjzGC7FhyMwJjx7V7QkTvdHHjfTr-KM9VtYTprw_CZTqdDmK8u4otF06oP3c_eRJg7pNRdHFGiP0D1Q9opetoU8zG2V04uwmkhdtVvPT149h0_/w640-h360/FILE00492mr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other boat in the anchorage was Swiss</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">From Lewis, our next passage was to Loch Laxford, on the north west coast of the mainland and from there we rounded Cape Wrath and headed for Orkney. Photos and stories of wild tidal races to follow in the next update.</span></p><p><br /></p>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134512758853747973.post-24062681883022448822022-06-10T22:14:00.000+01:002022-06-10T22:14:06.034+01:00Revisiting Scalpay and Hunkering Down in Stornoway<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Sailing (or to be precise, motoring in a flat calm) back to Scalpay, the island off Tarbert, Harris, was a delight. The conditions gave us the opportunity to inspect the impressive Eilean Glas lighthouse at close quarters from the sea before we hiked back overland to it the following morning.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHowk-gUviy1DcQTOU-4-dRReyfGFsp18Bafx_6293vxNHzTiaT2DcO8-db8dd9oi7xzP-Tlt56mkHQcdbxuAlCqVT-ZmBBE0M2HgrMOEs4Ry8OSMSS19fBcy8lRuAPQneWgx1cf4BrKpaxrzbjyhOfI1flAoJ4y9tdjz6klYEEcvGeJEupi7wQQIS/s1930/P1080249lr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHowk-gUviy1DcQTOU-4-dRReyfGFsp18Bafx_6293vxNHzTiaT2DcO8-db8dd9oi7xzP-Tlt56mkHQcdbxuAlCqVT-ZmBBE0M2HgrMOEs4Ry8OSMSS19fBcy8lRuAPQneWgx1cf4BrKpaxrzbjyhOfI1flAoJ4y9tdjz6klYEEcvGeJEupi7wQQIS/w640-h360/P1080249lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching the lighthouse from the south</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJfpW5TjTYqkx-4-ZxkgPwMs0xeFE_emoQYPt3AUmb9n0nPssYeLgGXWeFk6nt5yc3gFyU09aZjkpr9bi5J4ujsKw7tA92LC8vp8sisXxvn5geMB8cWY7Zpr0t382MnE3PkBNV9pyTPHnMj8hQsqKp8wSAErqYn7krlMOEA1oIfYMyLpe1QfRwbst/s1930/P1080250lr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJfpW5TjTYqkx-4-ZxkgPwMs0xeFE_emoQYPt3AUmb9n0nPssYeLgGXWeFk6nt5yc3gFyU09aZjkpr9bi5J4ujsKw7tA92LC8vp8sisXxvn5geMB8cWY7Zpr0t382MnE3PkBNV9pyTPHnMj8hQsqKp8wSAErqYn7krlMOEA1oIfYMyLpe1QfRwbst/w640-h360/P1080250lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQ69WLty9ZKanYy6q64CQB59zLRUjRtF0XvWKrxtS9ajlaLykM4cSXWPCUAP5WKobpK0TbLkXhfwxCWoiK4RGpjtYh8nU8oXdeWNYUJS8_rRDyWZIqBtGUoZOoWsKnNEvYRRPOqoam0Gz77AguBsmQfU0ogyW0_vCwg1v89V0KC0PH4PZq_3wb0Xx/s2205/P1080274lr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="2205" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQ69WLty9ZKanYy6q64CQB59zLRUjRtF0XvWKrxtS9ajlaLykM4cSXWPCUAP5WKobpK0TbLkXhfwxCWoiK4RGpjtYh8nU8oXdeWNYUJS8_rRDyWZIqBtGUoZOoWsKnNEvYRRPOqoam0Gz77AguBsmQfU0ogyW0_vCwg1v89V0KC0PH4PZq_3wb0Xx/w640-h276/P1080274lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from land. We motored Maunie into this little bay and were tempted to tie up to the stone pier (built for bringing supplies to the lighthouse) just to say we'd done it. Sense kicked in but the hikers on the rock no doubt still captured some great photos.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Though the lighthouse is still owned and run by the Northern Lighthouse Board, the two keepers' cottages and the flat-roofed Engine House (which once housed the four diesel engines required to produce enough compressed air to feed the mighty foghorn) were sold and are now run by a trust. Their volunteers are fighting an uphill battle to keep the buildings from decaying and a very rudimentary self-service café was open for a welcome cup of tea and a chance to see a bit more of the site.</span><p></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9aUoDyiKkq_-Rv4zw-1T8EQM7s8ehZXr0LC1KSmTKIgK5Ol4KtedVq4-HKKl2sLdHMBlqFGHDyWvHWMdhTaGAKGF0M3kKkBHsUHsTmzNQMY15EW_325spKToNkEHBx-7W_qJhUTZ0Lj2gfSFGkUu3TZ8uUhXXpjsTAiCUfkk3DhhDPrlIeNSpUN9/s1930/P1080269lr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1930" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9aUoDyiKkq_-Rv4zw-1T8EQM7s8ehZXr0LC1KSmTKIgK5Ol4KtedVq4-HKKl2sLdHMBlqFGHDyWvHWMdhTaGAKGF0M3kKkBHsUHsTmzNQMY15EW_325spKToNkEHBx-7W_qJhUTZ0Lj2gfSFGkUu3TZ8uUhXXpjsTAiCUfkk3DhhDPrlIeNSpUN9/w640-h360/P1080269lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Engine House open for teas and coffees, walls partly repainted</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_hXwEsDjLIJjEVT4iCv3VhjqgOowXfyii_OQ9-CtV6CKkiZ5vTW-N_lNNgKdvOj7e0tPD5qwyzand5J0um0CZDMR2m4HAjIFb9zlsLc--MBdb-9XTVLcEQKnnVRWmcdHXWnyLfa3hDURlHgd65MpNeHr06LV90AjawhFM2x77GMc_U8_EuODZzTe/s1841/P1080268lr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="1841" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_hXwEsDjLIJjEVT4iCv3VhjqgOowXfyii_OQ9-CtV6CKkiZ5vTW-N_lNNgKdvOj7e0tPD5qwyzand5J0um0CZDMR2m4HAjIFb9zlsLc--MBdb-9XTVLcEQKnnVRWmcdHXWnyLfa3hDURlHgd65MpNeHr06LV90AjawhFM2x77GMc_U8_EuODZzTe/w640-h396/P1080268lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The work-in-progress café. The lady (who looked well into her 70's) looking after it said she'd seen us sail into the bay the previous day as she'd been up a ladder painting one of the external walls!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPq9t2ehUoAzQjQjHkaKhPn8iE-9vFH_o3FqZb0Se770btDbYq_8OcbFcQcAGZoL3knblwZk3w3SY-tf4BRuSuBTk1ylMw4Wgh9ZmQFHZoMpJz8bd16gnBWRuZF65f0y7pJCgIkE_NmE2m7k8BFYfxFBIoieeXKV9wlUCLjfpVGw7xkCEkhS6rNMd/s1931/P1080265lr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1931" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPq9t2ehUoAzQjQjHkaKhPn8iE-9vFH_o3FqZb0Se770btDbYq_8OcbFcQcAGZoL3knblwZk3w3SY-tf4BRuSuBTk1ylMw4Wgh9ZmQFHZoMpJz8bd16gnBWRuZF65f0y7pJCgIkE_NmE2m7k8BFYfxFBIoieeXKV9wlUCLjfpVGw7xkCEkhS6rNMd/w640-h360/P1080265lr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The disused foghorn with its rack and pinion which allowed it to be pointed in the direction of any fog bank</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">After a great day on Scalpay we moved into Tarbert for a night and it was good to once again catch up with Fred and Carolanne, who run the excellent little marina there. We'd liked to have stayed longer but the imminent gale made us head up to Stornoway where the inner harbour provides more shelter and the larger town offers a few more things to do on wet and windy days. Just as well, as the deep low pressure system that's the cause of the gale (and is the remnants of a Tropical Storm that hit the Caribbean) is moving slowly north east; the roar of wind in the rigging and the tug of the boat against her mooring lines will be inescapable for the best part of 2 days.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihU8dzaZJDYR5eU2akzNLGDtveecu2SKgZo-S81l3LIlykAjPqiQ3Hs1WXyCzxKXe_KGpm1Jxjr5BfX0Rc-o10jYvt7g1CZVwWS3rMKWY26y_GdelAH-RyPqwuumQagjNj9LAKtUdpJ06IFmFczy0BDGHiYSBERUicPWNkNnw9tZFPte5cxWXXWk6U/s1261/Wind%20gust.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="1261" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihU8dzaZJDYR5eU2akzNLGDtveecu2SKgZo-S81l3LIlykAjPqiQ3Hs1WXyCzxKXe_KGpm1Jxjr5BfX0Rc-o10jYvt7g1CZVwWS3rMKWY26y_GdelAH-RyPqwuumQagjNj9LAKtUdpJ06IFmFczy0BDGHiYSBERUicPWNkNnw9tZFPte5cxWXXWk6U/w640-h460/Wind%20gust.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wind gusts of just under 40 knots - we are very glad to be safely moored!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In these parts the sea state will probably take a day or two to calm down after such strong winds so we won't rush to cross to the mainland and on to Orkney. If we can manage it, we'll hire a little car here for a day on Sunday (still forecast to be windy but maybe a little less wet) to see the west and north coasts of Lewis then have a couple of nights at anchor in some interesting looking sea lochs just south of Stornoway. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">At the moment, the long term forecast looks good to set off for Kinlochbervie (just south of Cape Wrath, the NW corner of mainland Scotland) on Wednesday, then head off for Orkney (with a possible overnight in Lock Eriboll) the following day. Fingers crossed.</span></p>Graham and Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05801907554827799437noreply@blogger.com1