On the way back to Schotland

Now at Gatwick. Flying to Inverness in 30min. Nice day. Happy I went to Pauls service.

Ullapool

On Monday, we first organized Jos' trip to the Netherlands for Paul's funeral on Wednesday. We then decided to weather 15-22kn winds on the nose to get to Ullapool as our basis for the next couple of days.
Leaving around 13.00, the ride was a bit rough. Sophie and Ann coped very well, as did Hartendief, but Julia fell seasick. We rested at anchor for a couple of hours at Horse Island where everybody recovered in glorious sun with soup and swim and we then continued our 'roller coaster ride' to Ullapool where we arrived at 20.00.
Ullapool initially was unpleasing because of the howling wind, grey sky and impressive, barren mountains. Also there was no berthing for yachts and we had to take a mooring. With Jos off to the Netherlands and our dinghy too small for Ann to comfortably ferry herself and the kids to and from shore this was a problem. We did have a quiet and peaceful dinner at our mooring though and all slept fine.
Today, Jos dropped the family on shore. Ann sorted things out with the harbourmaster (nice, mainly preoccupied with fishing boats) while Jos tied Hartendief back to its mooring and rowed to the shore. After a family breakfast in a friendly sandwich shop we all went our ways. Ann found a pleasant B&B for the duration of Jos's trip and Jos took a ride from a very friendly Ullapoolian - Ian - to Inverness to catch the plane to Gatwich and then to Amsterdam.
Tomorrow, Ann and the kids will visit the Isle of Lewis. We are looking forward to continuing the trip on Thursday. Luckily, it appears that winds will be more favorable then.

Lochinver stop

Ann and the kids arrived yesterday. Today is terrible weather day. We will do some reading and have checked into a B&B to enjoy the town. It is pretty here. Just behind the town (200 souls) civilization stops...
Yesterday we cleaned the boat and fiddled about a bit to stop a small deck-leak and prevent the chute from catching in the standing rigging. With all the sun, two walks and a 'nature swim' we had a great time.

Loch Inver

Wonderfl environment with impressive view of Suliven mountain. We had
a smooth ride here. The town depends on fishing. Big trawlers 'owned
by the French supermarkets' bring the fish onshore here. The fish is
put in cooled trucks that drive to France the same day. Apperently no
fish gets sold here. 'You have to know people to be able to buy
lobster'. Luckily we struck a good chord with the local fisherman at
our pier, so just let us know what you need and we'll get it for you!!
This evening Ann and the girls arrived afterf a long drive. The
weather will be bad tomorrow, so we will hide out in the local B&B. It
is called the rose and owned by a Dutch couple!
We had a beautiful walk throurgh the woods, quite rare in the
highlands and took some time for visiting the local village. At eve we
went for another walk and did some swimming in a wonderful loch. Early
to bed this night, for a nice journee back.

To lochinver

After a peaceful night it was time to move on.
The weather changed, at departure good wind, rain and coldness. High
waves to take and break through! Later on the wind dropped and changed
its course, happy we have dieselpower also. Seen a lot of missiles,
not from the submarines, but real bird attacks on the fishpopulation.
In groups they dived vertically in water, really as missiles hitting
there targets, impressive..
Now sailing again in a peaceful mood, passing a gsm-mast, that was
planted on shore for us, as we are not aware of any other users. With
2 hours to go to Lochinver where we will checkin for the night.
Tomorrow the last trip of this crew.
Sleep well!

Magic and Sadness

We are softly rocking at anchor in the magically beautiful ''kyle of
Tonque". The ocean is roaring just 200meters away from us, but there
is a drying sandbar keeping us out of its reach. This is magic, we are
enjoying life.
And just now we get the news that Paul has passed away today. We are
still struggling to let sink in what happened. Such a fantasticly
cheerful, strong, bright, warm and friendly man will always remain
part our world - if only as a great example. What a sad day.

Pentland Firth

Passing the Pentland Firth in quiet weather (3 bf NE). Sea is smooth,
but with eerie wirls / tidal rips that make it clear you should not be
here when tides run fast in bad weather. We are just after dead tide
and have 4 knots of current with us.
Now entering the North Atlantic Ocean; under spinaker!! To the nortgh
is Hoy, one of the Orkney's. To the SW is Dunnet Head. This is a dream
of a sail.