Been to Tiree, but wont mention about the poor lamb stuck on the rock with the sea breaking over the wee doomed creature. Tragic.
Now on Coll. Great island. Looked for a wreck for ages on the way here. We sailed round and round and now I dont know what is mainland Scotland and what are islands. Mountains and headlands go on forever, each range a little lighter grey blue as they recede.
Tresnish islands look rather interesting.
Tapti am, then somewhere close to the Hurlford (but not quite close enough to count as actually diving it).
Yesterday’s wind died away overnight so morning brought sunshine and flat calm seas.
Much sunnier with calm sea and transfer to Crossapol Bay more relaxed and efficient.
Mandered from bay to bay, eating and sleeping on the way. Passed through super dune landscape decorated with brightly coloured orchids and myriads of irises, buttercups and purple wild geraniums.
Angela initiated ’Throwing the Buoy’ game , resulting in Tony as overall winner and Fiona taking the Ladies prize. Espied the Halton crew doing a crafty dive, in our absence. Taxi driver surprised to find so many punters wanting a return to the boat.
Mary has a tally going: 14 basking sharks, 1 dubious minke, stromy petrel, shearwater.
Had to give her something to do to stop her breaking things.
Seen that many barking sharks that the novelty has worn right off. Wish they would’t eat with their mouths open: really bad manners.
So there it is: two white walls leading through a dark tunnel to a glass box.
“What the f is this for”
“Meant to have won an architexture award..”
“roof leaks..”
“who would do this..”
etc etc.
Still, we spent the best part of 40mins mucking around in the place so it got us talking/discussing….and I can’t even spell it let alone appreciate it. Isn’t that what good architepture is for?
Guess the architect did his job good then!
Porridge for breakfast then away.
Landed the troops at Sandaig …
.. those that didn’t fall in..
and from there they walked over Beinn Hough.
Had a phone call from them when they reached the summit: “we can see the boat, can you see us waving…?”
We completed the circumnavigation, returning to the pier at Gott Bay where the troops joined us by road.
Starting the day with a rollicking, nausea-inducing trip during which we saw Basking sharks, and a few unusual seabirds. We eventually disembarked in fours via a hairy transfer by the inflatable, half of us ending up with water-logged boots. Walked to the highest point of the island,then explored a few sandy bays. Moira excelled herself by falling headlong in a stream to all our amusement, but the rest of us caught up as we ended the day getting soaked while waiting for the taxi, which turned out to be a bus.
The troops burst out of the cars on the pier, bowled the crew over , and stampeeded onwards to bag a cabin. Formalities over they settled down to a cup of tea and a bit of giggling.
When we left, there was bright sunshine and a light SE wind but this gradually freshened leading to a hashy trip into Tiree and the pier at Gott Bay. The troops jumped off the boat as quick as they had jumped on, glad of the terra firma, and undulated their way up to the pub for tea. They are the first people I have seen stagger to a pub.
So far so good.
We walked up the rocky mountain and down the rushy glen, we could na go ahunting for fear o little men……
Beautiful views from the top and much to wonder at along the way. Small red damsel flies on peaty black pools, tiny wild flowers of a million colours. Joyful skylarks singing their hearts out, so high in the bluest of blue.Far down in the valleys, secret lochans glisten invitingly but they are too far from the sea. We are restless.
Bees like my flowery shorts. Kenny… a scallop dredger just came in. It only had a few bags on a pallet.
Coruthers helped the timorous Jane through the undergrowth and put distance between themselves and the pursuing natives….
They crossed through the snows of the summit and descended via the south col and down the glacier to safety.
Cracking day..
Sent Mary up the mountain so she wouldn’t have to deny having broken anything…
Phew! Another scorcher here in Mallaig. Angus and I went to Morar yesterday. Found the white sands and turquoise seas used in Local Hero. Beautiful place. Had a paddle and christened the flowery shorts while Rum and Eigg shimmered in the distance.
Would have preferred Rum and coke!
I didn’t break the loo, the pump went on a long holiday. Off now to walk up the hills behind Mallaig. The things you have to do to keep Capt. Bob happy……should get a good picture of the Halton, again
Had a lazy day today. Weather absolutely magnificent.
Think I have fixed most of the things Mary has broken in her 24hrs of residence on the boat.. she has agreed to blog so may hand over the reins to her from here on in.
Engine off and away to bed. In at 2300hrs so 26hrs door to door, port to port.
Wanna follow in my footsteps: go under the bridge, then hang a right. Simple really.
Mary wants credit for this photo…
Passed Stoer…
… and Rudha Reidh and now entering Inner Sound between the mainland and Skye.
There is an exercise on and warships all round us are on the VHF running each other down whislt gulls tussle on the rigging.
A few strangers came to say hello on our way along the north coast….
..until we rounded Cape Wrath at about 5am.
It is now half ten and I am just crossing the Karlruhe on my way to longhope, alone on the boat except for my
laptop.
It was an early start this morning. The troops left on the early ferry and I was down the boat not long after.
I like the first step on the boat after a group has left: there are little reminders of the departed divers all
around the place, left abadoned in their haste to get packed. There is the list of teas on the blackboard, a couple
of forgotten hats and a camera lens. They will be returned if requested, forgotten if not. Whatever their destiny,
the bits are added to the pile.
Then after the pause, all sentimentality evaporates as the hard graft starts with turning the boat around. A 12 bed
hotel would be considered as quite a large size but I have crammed it into a 60ft hull. Beds are made, galley
scrubbed, loos cleaned, deck hosed and finally a cup of tea and sarnie as the ferry comes in.
Except today there are no divers for me.
A last few hours in the afternoon and early evening before back down the boat. I spend a hour checking everything:
all oils are fresh and topped up, as with all the water levels too, all filters new and not dripping, no water in
bowls, all grease renewed, bilges pumped, gear stowed, hatches clamped shut, lights on, radar warmed up and a final
cup of tea. This is the last 5 min check, a reflection, a moment for the last contemplation, a touch of anxiety and
the thril of the unknown, a pause before the final commitment.
Then ropes off and away.
Now I have left, the worreis are less. What will be will be, it is in the hands of providence now.
Off round the top of scotland, round Cape Wrath, down the minch on to Mallaig.
Walkers this week. Birders next. A break from the norm.
