Into Loch Roe

We wanted a shorter day today, so decided to make for Loch Roe, and anchor overnight before heading to Stornaway. After a trip to the shop for milk, bread, and fruit, we headed out, clearing the harbour by 09:45.

There was enough wind in the stay sail for Julian to want to get the main sail up as soon as possible, so we went head to wind before reaching the North Cardinal in the centre of the entrance to Loch Inchard. This was an excellent decision as it let us turn the engine off and sail immediately.

We decided to take the passage inside the Duhn Sgeirean reefs, and had a lovely sail until the wind began to die just after we cleared them. Julian took the chance to put out the fishing line again, but unfortunately we caught nothing except a jelly fish, on the weight on the end of the line, which slid off easily.

With engine on at11:27, and George on the helm for the first time in days, there was little to do except admire the scenery, and revel in the hot sunny weather. We even needed suntan lotion! Luckily the wind came back within the hour, and we got another hour and a half under sail. Julian tried fishing again during the lulls, but caught nothing. He also decided to try to fly his drone again, to get shots of Robinetta under sail. This turned out to be a bit of a disaster. First it took off and flew right into his neck and chin, drawing blood. Then when he had just got it clear of the cockpit it hit the sail, stalled, and drowned. We no longer have a drone.

A yacht came past, motor sailing, and we wondered why he had his engine on, but then the wind died completely and the engine went on again.

I tried to charge my laptop battery at this point, but the fuse in accessories blew again. It turned out that we had a short in the inverter 12v power connector. Julian fixed it, and I gave my laptop a full charge.

Once we were past the Point of Stour we began to see people on the beaches at the campsites. There were people out on the water as well, first a paddleboarder, then two kayaks. I think I caught a brief glimpse of a minke whale, and there were certainly dolphins and harbour porpoise about, but none came close. There were also young guillemots about, swimming next to a single parent. The first one I saw came up alongside Robinetta, peeping madly as it tried to locate its caretaker. I am pretty sure they did reunite within a couple of minutes.

bird life off Handa

 

We lowered the main sail at 15:45. There was absolutely no wind, and the burning sunshine promised UV damage.

We followed a small French yacht into Loch Roe, and he anchored in Pool Bay, leaving very little room for us, so we went through the shallows and into the upper loch where we found plenty of space off the south shore. The engine went off at 17:45

It is very sheltered here, and hot. For the first time this year I wish I was further north.