#Sunset – 4 Kidneys and a Wonky Leg

Day 79 July 16th Into the Caledonian (again)

Jul 17, 2022Jul 18, 2022luffin2Leave a comment

The first time we entered this lock was 39 days ago, we were on our own and it was a cold murky day. We’re on the way again, weather forecast of F2-3 warm and a bit cloudy. A bit different this time, shorts and t-shirts, were enough and this time we shared the lock with 4 other boats.

With our guests Russell and Nicola as crew things were a lot easier to manage as I could stay at the helm while the others dealt with the ropes.. The short hop to the canal entrance took all of 15 mins and then we had to hold station for another 15 mins while the lock was made ready.

All 5 boats squeezed in, everyone seemed to be fairly adept at the boat handling which always puts you at ease, knowing that you’re not going to be bumped by another yacht. And up we went, 3 metres above sea level, and in fresh, not salt water. All the skippers went off to the office to pick up license’s and keys for the facilites. Then off to the next lock where everyone now was a expert so things went a little faster, and we were soon at Seaport marina where we refuelled and had a lunch break.

In the afternoon we walked into Inverness for coffee, sightseeing and a bit of shopping then later, after our evening meal, we walked back along the towpath for a group photo at the welcome stone next to the Sealock.

An early night tonight ready for the ascent to Loch Ness tomorrow

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Day 75 July 12th Inverness.

Jul 13, 2022luffin21 Comment

With four days to go until we move on, it seemed a little strange to have a lie in and know that there’s no specific reason to get up. However the sun was shining, a bit of a rarity up to now, so we took the opportunity to enjoy it.

We spent a lazy day exploring Inverness once again, lunch at a restuarant called Prime, sitting outside by the River Ness across from Inverness castle. In the afternoon we got down to more serious stuff of restocking the boat with food. A visit to the supermarket and a taxi back to the Marina and the day was gone.

Then around eight in the evening we could hear a helicopter nearby, when I say nearby, I mean just off the end of the marina. Looking out we saw there was a full scale police incident going on, it seemed that just about every policeman in Inverness was here. Sadly it was a search and rescue mission for someone who had jumped from the Kessock Bridge. They searched until dark before leaving, we can only guess at the outcome.

A somber end to the day with the sunset matching the mood.

Easter Bank Holiday, Saturday.

Apr 17, 2022luffin2Leave a comment

I’m not sure what the temperature was first thing, but it certainly was Brass Monkeys! One objective today was to learn more about the sails and how to set them. This required getting out of the harbour into open sea and sailing on one tack for a good time, allowing time to tweek and see what works best to get the most out of the sail.

As a separate issue I wanted to check on my home mooring in Swanage so, with a loose passage plan off we set. We got to Poole Entrance just as another Gemini 105 was leaving. Quite a coincidence.

An hour so’s sailing and we had the sails sorted and we had arrived in Swanage. Both objectives complete and it was only 12.00. We sailed back to Studland where we hooked up to a bouy and had Lunch. Unfortunately the easterly wind kicking was up a short chop it was not a pleasant place to spend the afternoon.

So on we travelled back to Poole Harbour, this time anchoring at South Deep. with pleasant views of Furzey Island and Green island. Slightly out of place is the “Eye” sculpture on the Green Island shoreline. The island has been owned by Edward lliffe since 2005 and was the scene of a dramatic fire in 2012 which burnt down his newly constructed home.

Furzey Island is owned by the oil company Perenco. It’s almost unbelievable that beneath this tiny island lies 22 oil wells which feed the Wytch Farm oil field. Oil is extracted from under Hampshire and Dorset, stabilised at the site by separating out the oil, gas and water, and then transported via a 91km pipeline to a terminal at Hamble, in Southampton Water.

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