Plockton is a lovely find indeed!
Plockton
and we are very grateful to the owners of “Monkey Business” We hope you can see this blog and see our appreciation!
The mooring buoy for the boat "Monkey Business" We met them on the ferry from the marina in Oban - and they gave their permission to use their mooring if we visited Plockton!
Today is my birthday, and my day began with an all male rendition of “Happy Birthday To you” and a present from them – they know me so well – whiskey and shortbread! I loved the card from them too – with pictures of cricket bats and football boots (honest girls!), I really do feel one of the lads now!
My lovely mate Nic Nac, being so well organized had planted my present on board back in Brixham – that was a lovely treat – you must have known I would be smelly by now Nic as you bought me lots of lovely girlie smellies! I love the mug too!
Thanks Nic Nac and the boys!
In fact, it has been 5 days since our last shower – and we have our fingers crossed the facilities will be good at our next port of call – Loch Gairloch
John performed the engine check today, and managed to look sexy too
John the Engine Man!
Time to make out way out of Plockton. Here comes Lesson one of the day – don’t throw your pilotage sketches and instructions away until your out! SO, once I had scraped the remains of Chicken Fajitas off my pilotage instructions, we headed out of Plockton.
Mike and I are adding to our navigation skills today, and I commenced by getting us out of Plockton safely
Jill The Navigator!
The navigation for the day worked well except for one point where I ended up on the chart in a completely wrong position with my 3 point fixes – I’m sure they will get better!
Meanwhile, John continued to steer whilst Mike and I debated headings, courses, beacons, buoys, bearings. John is becoming a true helmsman, and is perfecting the art of steering with his belly whilst he holds a cuppa and some food!
John is adept at steering with his belly!
Which left Rick to be the hunter gatherer – so, without a licence to fish, he hunted for mackerel – but I don’t fancy what he caught – do you?
Whats for dinner???
The skyline looked beautiful as we sailed further and further north along the Scottish coast, and Skye started to disappear. I hadnt realised before just how large an Island Skye really was!
What a beautiful day we had, we could see all the way to the Outer Hebrides with Harris in the distance
The Outer Hebrides in the distance
The Highlands of Scotland looked magnificent, and made even better by the ever changing cloud rising above them
We neared Loch Gairloch, with John completing the pilotage for today. We approached the marina and were met by a lovely harbor master who welcomed and helped us in. I need to mention here that I was on the helm and safely brought the boat in with the first effort. I should also mention that my heart was pounding ten to the dozen, and I would have given in the slightest excuse to get off the helm and hand it over to someone else at any point! I’m glad it didnt, as it worked well, particularly once I stopped worrying about the numerous people who were watching!
The lines (with fabulous Bowline’s – thank you John!) secured – we found the shower facilities.
I think this is the first time I have said “For my birthday, I’m going to treat myself to a shower”! Its normally taken as read that I would shower, but today my birthday is being spent on the RBE, and I fully appreciated the first shower I had in 5 days!
Back to the boat to enjoy another meal made by Mike – he really is excelling himself with his newly found culinary skills!
Time to frequent the local hostelry, and contribute once more to the local economy! The local pub is called The Old Inn Fabulous
with real ale which was a little too strong for my male counterparts! The walk in the early evening sunshine was stunning
The boys heading to the pub!
The RBE In Gairloch
Back to the boat, with everyone in bed at 9.30 – apart from me as I had to continue my telephone calls to my family as it is my birthday! Its now very late, but todays blog is complete! Tomorrow we sail to Lochinver, and hope the low which is well settled below us with gale force winds doesn’t catch us up! Please be patient for a while if the blog isnt updated – it will be written, but I feel I will be chasing internet!
I look forward each day to a new adventure, to exploring new places, to learning more about sailing and having a chance to meet new characters along the way!
Goodnight!
