Highland Beauty

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Tuesday 16th August and a big event in Sandaig Bay; the sun came out!  We went out into the cockpit and had a warming whisky to celebrate.  It's so lovely to have clear weather after all the fog further north, where the (reportedly) glorious views were lost in the murk.

Has Summer Arrived in the Highlands?

Loch Nevis astern was bold and beautiful but the cool temperature in the strong breeze soon sent us back down below.

Loch Nevis from Sandaig Bay

Next morning the anchor came up cleanly yet again (I am not keen to swim for it around here.  Although the water is lovely and clear it is only about 13 degrees and shaving off my beard for the mask is not easy).  We then had a lovely sail up the coast, although the wind sometimes faded, so Yanni the Yanmar was used for short periods.

Sunrise Over the Mountains

The Small Isles showed to Starboard as we cleared the end of Skye.

The Isle of Rum Beyond Skye

Ardnamurchan Lighthouse

Rosie predicted that a perfect shift of wind would arrive as we rounded Ardnamurchan Point but we arrived early, so we beat to windward to reach Tobermory, where we slotted into the marina and enjoyed another hot shower and another fine meal in the Tobermory Hotel.  It's tough being a modern sailor.

Tobermory (once again)

Next day we set off again, beating down the Sound of Mull, debating whether to use the heavy weather jib.  We heeled dramatically in the gusts and slowed below 4 knots (I know, shocking!) in the lulls.  In the end we were right to leave the heavy jib in it's bag.  However, the weather forecast suggests that it will be needed soon.

To Windward in the Sound of Mull

Now we are safely tucked up in Kerrera Marina, watching the forecasts for strong Southwesterlies and planning our next voyage to the Southwest.  However, we may have an easier plan.....


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