2014.1.From Stromness to south; Inverness and Caledonian Canal

We wish to sail down to Azores Islands this summer.

Sean started from our home port, Stromness with his friend David and David's son Graham.
A pleasant afternoon and evening sail tacking aginst the SE wind took them from Stromness to the visitor buoy off Burray. They then waited a few days for the SE winds to ease and give comfortable conditions for crossing of the Pentland Firth. The wind dropped and the fog closed in, so they crossed the Firth in thick fog, tracking ships with AIS and radar. Further south the fog cleared but they had to motor sail all the way to Inverness, seeing some dolphins on the way.

In Inverness I joined Sean for our cruising to south. It was very nice to be on board and sailing on the Caledonian Canal again. 

Sunset, Seaport Marina.

We had to wait a couple of days in Seaport Marina for our liferaft, as it had been sent away for servicing. Then headed off down the canal. Loch Ness was in a calm mood, with glassy water reflecting the blue and white sky.

Further along the canal it was damp and misty, giving us a typically 'soft' highland day.

Ben Nevis range looked impressive from the Canal as we approach Bannavie and Neptune's Staircase.

Summer 2013 . 3. Cruising Shetland

Grutness was our first stop in Shetland, then we sailed to Mousa and were planning to go to Lerwick and then to Norway. But, because of easterly winds we changed the plan and went back round to Shetland's west coast instead. 

Sumburgh Head and lighthouse, the southern tip of Shetland Mainland

   There was a little excitement in Grutness. Two yachts were anchored and just as it was as dark as the night would get (but still twilight) a fishing boat came in. It passed very close to the first boat and was heading directly for us, despite our having an anchor light on. Sean illuminated the fishing boat wheelhouse with our spotlight and he made a sharp turn to miss us. As he went past we could see he had deck lights on and bright lights in the wheelhouse. The helmsman would not be able to see anything beyond his boat other than the bright lights on the pier.

It was a beautiful evening with the twilight lasting all night but the following morning brought mist and later fog as we motored up to Mousa using radar and chartplotter.

Twilight taken about 2300

Fair Isle ferry and another fishing boat at Grutness pier

                                

 It was great to visit the Broch of Mousa.

Broch of Mousa, almost exactly 60 degrees north

 Impressive structure, Nice experience to walk inside the Broch

The broch is the best preserved in Europe and the only one that has near enough the full height of the tower still standing.

During our walk we also had the chance to see sheep shearing in a family farm on the island.

We saw more of the fleeces in Sandness, later in the cruise.

Summer 2013 . 2. Fair Isle

It was lovely to be in this magical landscape again. This time I was lucky to see more birds , including lots of Puffins so close.

SUMMER 2013 . 1. Leaving Orkney

I joined Sean at Stromness, in July and we decided to cruise Shetland this summer.

View of Orkney from Plane

We first sailed to Long Hope, then to Stronsay, Fair Isle and Grutness in Shetland.

Orkney Yole Association was competing in Long Hope regatta that weekend, so we towed one of the Yoles from Stromness to Long Hope.

We picked up the visitor mooring and ended up being a race mark for the Regatta :-)

From Long hope we sailed to Stronsay, actually there was not much wind so we had to motor nearly all the way. The wind picked up just south of Stronsay and we had a good hour sailing up to Whitehall harbour.We stayed in Stronsay for a few days. It was interesting to see the Island of Papa Stronsay where a group of Monks build a Monastry. Monks had a small boat to travel betwenn Whitehall and Papa Stronsay. On Sunday, they brought the Priest across for the Mass at the Chapel in Stronsay. I was able to catch them while going back to their Monastry.

Papa Stronsay and the Monastry

We enjoyed walking around the island

Inquisitive locals

Summer 2012. Back home in Stromness.

 Back at home in Stromness

We had a nice sail from Inverness to Kirkwall, and we arrived in Orkney on 31st of August. But , then we had to wait for a suitable weather to bring Escapade back to its berth in Stromness. This weekend was a good chance before the next gale force winds stating tomorrow. So we sailed from Kirkwall marina to Long Hope, spent the night there and then motored the next day to Stromness.

During this summer, I was able to handle the boat all the way in Caledonian Canal. In Some of the locks, Sean was ashore and I was on board all by myself while Sean was helping the Canal personel with the ropes, and it was exciting and lots of fun.
I have also made the passage plan and was the skipper for the first time while coming back home to Stromness from Long Hope. So, I gained some more confidence this year and it is more enjoyable when I am more involved. I am hoping to improve my sailing skills in the future.

Seaport Marina, Inverness.

Long Hope Visitor Moorings

Stromness view from Scorradale

Greamsay and Hoy behind it from Scorradale

Summer 2012. 12.2 Steam Train to Mallaig and back

Monday, 20th August :

Jacobite steam train trip from Fort William to Mallaig and back, including Glenfinnan Viaduct. This is the route used by the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films . We saw and heard this steam train when we were in Arisaig and Corpach 2 years ago while cruising, and decided to do the trip. So, we stayed in Banavie in Caledonian Canal this time and we were lucky to get the tickets early in the next morning. Hope you enjoy the images and video clips from our trip.
Video starts with the train crossing the Caledonian Canal bridge at Banavie.

Please Clik the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1LWc7PtEX0

Summer 2012. 12.1 Caledonian Canal Passage

At Banavie , Canal Loch opens to let the boats move :

Click the link below: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQXzE5uukQQ