A well earned rest today in a beautiful little spot. A very peaceful mooring in the bay across from Tobermory where we can see the pretty little streets with the coloured houses, just like it is on the TV!
(got loads of lovely photos – but very little internet connection – please re-visit here later…..)
Took stock this morning of the goodies we have onboard, and, planning a long passage with anchorages for several days, we went ashore to buy some fresh produce to see us through.
Yet another CoOp which gets the thumbs up from us all, and a little trip around Tobermory. I managed to avoid the temptation of joining the tour of the distillery, but I might yet add to my tastings of whiskeys before I leave this place.
Interesting to see how the Day Skippers on board secure the tender on the quayside – it was only hawkeyed Rick who noticed we may not have a boat when we got back from our shopping!
Back to the boat with the shopping – Rick took just me and the shopping, then returned to the quay to collect the boys. I unpacked the shopping, put it all away, prepared lunch, made tea, then sat and waited, and waited…..and waited…..then sent a text to Rick which said “If you boys have gone to the pub without me, there will be trouble” . I’m still not sure what they were up to, some excuse about needing to get fuel for the outboard motor or something. Me, on a boat with 3 men – they really need keeping in check…….
Lunch (eventually) consumed, straight into some more training. Whilst John perfected his skills on a winch, and Mike practiced his bowline, I did a bit of online shopping – I’m wearing my camera battery out and have ordered a new one to be sent for our next skipper to bring out to us in Scrabster.
Lovely to see the wildlife in the water – so far we have seen porpoise, dolphin, basking shark, no end of birdlife – today we have seen Portuguese Man of War – so glad its too cold to bathe in the water right now!
Passage planned for tomorrow – we have decided to get up really early and head north towards the West Coast of Skye, with a get out route towards Mallaig if conditions prove too difficult.
You may find this blog becomes a little more irregular as we progress further north with very little onshore power. My camera and laptop need regular feeding, (as well as internet) and without a generator or inverter inboard – I will have to update once we reach civilization again.
Mooring on a buoy is lovely, it is very peaceful, no squeaky fenders or interruptions from others walking by, and the views are improved as you sit a little away from the land, as well as the pootle on the tender to the shore – the only down side is the lack of facilities – water and power, but it is worth the sacrifice!
We received our first ship to ship VHF broadcast – a beautiful boat wanting to raft on to us later. It was just the boat Rick had spotted earlier as one he aspired to. I think it is a Cutter Rigg Ketch. We were invited on board for a quick beer by the poshest sounding Yorkshire man I have ever heard, but had to decline as we were just about to sit down to eat the meal put together by Mike.
Mike is already getting a little tetchy in the galley as he shouts “keep out of my kitchen, you are crowding me…… I think he has nearly reached his competency as an onboard chef, he certainly sounds like one and his food aint arf bad!
Its being pointed out to me that I point out everyones mistakes apart from my own. I will make a real effort at making sure my mistakes get published too, in the unlikely event that they may occur!
We are making an effort at contributing to the local economy of Tobermory – but are a little put off by the terse attitude of the local trades people. You can tell this is a very touristy place, and they are obviously weary of tourists who are their very life blood! We are sitting in the local pub, and, having asked if I can use the sockets for my laptop and my camera charger – the landlord has just come up to me and given me a piece of his mind……..not like the Irish at all! Oh, forgot, we are in Scotland!
