Up bright and early waiting for the VHF to burst into action with Stornaway Coast guard updating us with the weather forecast. We kept our fingers crossed as the unit cackled away, with the gale warning being ceased and promise of good weather with the wind behind us!
Demonstrating my wide ranging talents, I did the engine checks, then set about poppin to the local store to update our cupboards ready for our journey forward to Kinlochbervie.
As soon as I arrived back from the shops, we slipped the lines and Mike took the helm out of Lochinver. We all would be much happier if he kept his eyes open as he went though!
"OPEN YOUR EYES MIKE!"
Sorry about that one Mike!
With the wind howling around our ears, we made our way out of the Loch, beating as we went.
We all appreciated the difference as we headed out of the loch and changed heading, no longer beating, but now on a broad arch. It feels as if someone has turned the wind off! We had a beautiful sail up the coast of Northern Scotland, with the rain dying off, the sun peeping through and the wind blowing us along with the landscape.
We then passed by another famous headland – Stoer Point, with the Old Man looking magnificent!
Old Man of Stoer in the distance
Handa Island also looked so beautiful, and we could see why it is a popular place for ornithologists.
Handa Island
John tells us he has spent some time on this island, so I ensured I got a good shot of him on the helm as we sped past.
John sailing by Handa island
We enjoyed a beautiful sail and were rewarded with a warm tasty lunch – the planning and preparation from yesterday paid off, and the lentils and vegetables which the gammon was cooked in for dinner last night made a lovely warming soup. Due to the high winds, we all managed to wear some of it too!
Nearing Loch Inchard, (home of Kinlochbervie),
the almanac informed us that it can be difficult to identify the entrance to the Loch, but we should look out for a white concrete beacon on the headland. I’m learning quickly not to greatly rely on these landmarks, but keep a good look at the charts and a sharp look out ahead. Can you see the beacon on the headland?
The beacon to guide us - can be well seen one you are virtually upon it!
Loch Inchard is very beautiful, which is more than can be said for Kinlochbervie which is a desolate place! This is one of the final examples of civilization on the North West coast before you reach the very top and turn the corner around Cape Wrath, and we can only imagine how bleak it can become here. The place is desolate, with fishing seeming to be the only activities here, with the fishermen littering the place with the abandoned nets and pots. The best part of Kinlochbervie is the view looking away from it towards Loch Inchard!
There is only a very small pontoon here and we are rafted alongside a wooden boat which seemed to strain under the challenge of our boat. We have secured lines to the shore, but, as we see the scars other boats have obviously made to her, we were grateful to the owner of a nearby fishing vessel who also allowed us to secure a line onto his lifting frame. We will now sleep much more easily.
Speaking of sleep – its amazing how tired you get sailing. It seems to be a regular activity to take to our cabins whenever we can. We all managed a nice snooze and I awoke to find Mike preparing tonights dinner – Thai Green Chicken Curry! It smells delicious, and he is needing very little supervision now. All he lacks is a nice little pinny!
A lovely dinner – thanks Mike. Just settled down to a DVD (this is a posh boat!), some cheese and biscuits and an early night!
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