The OGA has one member in Lewis. Richard doesn't sail a gaffer, yet. He is busy restoring Puffin, built in the Clyde in 1894. He came down to see Robinetta the other day and expressed an interest in coming for a sail.
Ghislain and Emma, the two youngest members of the HebCelt setup/tech team of volunteers also were keen.
So we met about 11 this morning and got Robinetta ready. We got the bunting down and the covers off and did the engine checks. We made sure everyone had a lifejacket.
I started the engine to warm up and we hoisted the large jib and got the peak halyard attached. I took off the springs and turned the bow and stern lines into returns.
I took the helm and we started moving backwards, the crew retrieved the lines perfectly but then we started drifting over towards the boat on the next pontoon and stopped. It took a moment to spot the problem. I had forgotten to untie Worm’s painter from the shroud and Worm was also still tied to the pontoon!
No harm done. Ghislain untied the rope and threw it onboard Worm and we got out safely.
It was really sunny and there was more wind than forecast and we got the sails up in the outer harbour and headed out.
Richard spotted a feeding frenzy of seabirds in the distance so we headed towards it. By the time we got there it had dispersed but it wasn't long before we saw harbour porpoises hunting around us.
There were also a good selection of awks and great northern divers.
The wind died and we just sat there enjoying the sea life and a light lunch.
Then Richard spotted something bigger. A Minke whale. Over the next hour we saw several.
A lovely gentle day on the water with lovely people and spectacular sea life.
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