We had an early start this morning as the weather forecast confirmed severe gale warnings in Bailey, Rockall and Hebrides, but our brave skipper boldly went on with our planned passage
I enjoyed bringing the boat out of Gairloch as the lines were slipped and we motored into the wilderness with the sun rising and a scattering of clouds on the mountains.
We have had a wonderful day and really enjoyed the changing landscape as we motored up the North West Scottish Coast. I think anyone could be forgiven for thinking as they looked across, that they were in Sharm El Sheik – with the stark mountains behind the barren coastline and brilliant blue skies. This then transformed into the Mediterranean and we could imagine we were heading towards a Greek Taverna. Sugar Loaf looked like the Glass House Mountains of Queensland, Oz, and as we neared Lochinver, it looked just like the alps. It really wasn’t what I expected of the coastline along the North Highlands.
This looks like the views I have from the dive boats at Sharm - with just a few more layers of clothing on!
Another regular visitor - its a seal in case you can't see it. He popped his head through the surface and just sat there looking for ages!
Sugar load mountain!
We had a few moments of excitement, the first one being whilst John was preparing to brush his hair to look gorgeous in his mid layer salopettes – he saw the shape of the whale through the window of his cabin, he raced towards the companionway steps, shouting “Minkie” as he went. I was preparing lunch and raced behind him to grab a quick photo, and was a tad frustrated to find John had acquired himself a lovely view of the beautiful mammals from the top of the steps, and I was left with a not so lovely view of his stern! Thanks John – sorry readers, you will just have to believe our sightings as no photo available!
However, John does have his uses, amongst these is as our eagle eyed onboard ornithologist. Mike and I spotted an unusual bird. John immediately recognized it as an Arctic Skua and I set about photographing it
The Arctic Skua
Arctic Skua
John thinks my photos of the Artic Skua he has ever seen – this is praise indeed! I must say that the Skua made my job really easy by circling our boat several times. John informs us they are often difficult to photograph as they are usually attacking the people photographing them, so glad he told me that after I had finished!
Mike brought boat beautifully into the berth at Lochinver, and we are glad to be in a safe haven to sit out the gales which have been forecast. We have outrun them so far, but they are sure to catch up with us soon.
This will give us time to study and work towards our coastal skipper/yacht master theory. We try to work as we are sailing, but invariably, this happens
We try to study as we sail - but the views are too good!
"Round Britain Experience" Training to Yacht Master
Having a nice early start means you reach your destination at a reasonable time and have a chance to explore the area. It is very beautiful here, and we feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to visit so many gorgeous parts of our coastline – the Round Britain Experience is more than a training package, it is a fabulous experience!
Lochinver
Time now to go explore Lochinver before I start cooking dinner – catch you later maybe!
