Returning aboard

When we got back to Mallaig this afternoon the first task was to rescue Worm from the dinghy park at the end of the pontoon. The rubber dinghies surrounding her had not prevented her from being pushed against or under the pontoon, and the top of the gunwhales were scuffed. The rope fender had done its job on her sides though, and although the fender looked squashed the wood was fine. The duck board was afloat, but the rain water had not reached the level of the thwarts. There was not really room to haul her up and tip the water out, but Julian managed to get some out by tipping her where she floated, and the rest got bailed out with the milk carton bailer we keep tied to her. Once she was empty enough for us not to get our feet wet we put the luggage in, and I rowed us out to Robinetta.

We knew that the stay sail cover had been blown off during the storm, but luckily it was still in the foredeck. Unfortunately the stay sail had been damaged while free to blow about, and the leech of the sail was ripped for over half its length. We will need a new stay sail this winter.

Julian had tied the boom crutches securely in place, and although they were not exactly where we had left them they were still doing their job of keeping the boom from moving. There was no damage to the main sail, and both jibs had been stowed below before we left so were in no danger.

All in all Robinetta had come through the storm well.

I rowed us ashore again after a cup of tea, and we had takeaway fish and chips for dinner.