4 Kidneys and a Wonky Leg

The day started with a flat calm after a very quiet night at anchor in Urquhart Bay. After breakfast we gently motored off past the beautiful Urquhart castle that even at 10 o’clock in the morning was teeming with visitors. Heading down the Loch towards Fort Augustus, we were in no hurry and there were very few boats about to disturb the view.

There were a few interruptions to the peace and quiet as a pair of jets screamed down the glen at low level.

We did spot someone, presumably a sponsored swimmer with a support boat making their way up the loch, rather bravely straight up the middle. I know you can drown in a puddle but this person had 700ft of water below them!

Just as we were thinking of stopping for lunch a bit of a breeze sprang up. A nice opportunity to sail in good conditions, so lunch was eaten on the move, as we raised the sails and turned the engine off. The wind was coming straight up the glen so it did involve a few tacks to get us to Fort Augustus. Well thirteen actually.

Such a difference to 5 weeks ago when we were bashing into 40 knot winds on a murky grey day.

Mooring up on an almost empty pontoon, we strolled into the village and found a small bar/restuarant “The Boat House” overlooking the end of Loch Ness and as mad dogs and englishmen in their various boats came past in the midday sun, we relaxed with a few drinks under the shade of a tree.

It was too hot to do anything energetic for the rest of the day so we relaxed at the boat, reading and chatting.

The pontoons had filled with boats during the course of the day. I’m guessing it’ll be a busy day in the locks tomorrow with no guarantee when we will be able to move on.