And relax

Ok my Orange phone has no service, so I've borrowed Kirsty's phone. Orange has been good until now, but we're up Loch Sween and radio reception is poor, and Orange is non existant. But here I am.

Kirsty and I have been talking and there have been days when it hasn't felt like a holiday. Nothing to do with us or our relationship, that's stronger than ever, no it's more to do with the trip. It will be no good beating our way around Scotland and not enjoying it, yesterday we decided that if the wind is strong, like the mention of a force 6, it usually turns out to be worse, then we'll probably stay where we are. If it's on the nose, it's not fun, and while we and Pixie can take those conditions, we don't have to do anything. It's our three months and we've made it this far. Every time it blows up, things get wet and something goes over the side, I don't want it to be either of us, it could just be the little plastic spinny things that protect the sail, but yesterday I couldn't unscrew the foredeck vent which is well protected by the baby stay. Not wanting to force it and break the fitting, I left it, and during a tack yesterday, in 26 knots of wind, a genoa sheet must have caught it because it's no longer there.

The other day on the way across from Rathlin I lost a winch handle over the side, it floats, but there was no way we were going back for it, so if anyone in America finds a blue floating winch handle, please send it back for my attention to Yachting Monthly!

All these things are small but they still cost money and aren't easy to replace. Banging our way to windward might achieve our goal of sailing around Scotland, but if Pixie falls apart in the process and we're not enjoying ourselves then what is the point? We want this to be a good experience.

So rather than saying we have to be at certain aces on certain days, we're going to see how we get on. Hopefully we'll still achieve our goal of getting to Orkney, but if we don't we won't see it as a failiure.

At the moment we can't get to Mull because the wind is coming from the North, and because of the big tides that we need with us the seas would be rough, and in some parts dangerous to attempt the passage, and even though we want to go, it makes no sense to try.

All this came about after our trip yesterday from Gigha up here to Loch Sween and the stunning Fairy Isles. The wind was from the north west and we wanted to go north. The forecast in the morning said north west backing west 4 to 5 occasionally 6. Unfortunately we went out in the morning to walk around the Achamore Gardens, though damp with rain and drizzle, the were still very colourful and enchanting. The next forecast we heard was on the way up to Loch Sween, North west 5 to 6. Yes it was a 6 most of the time for us. But it would blow to a 5, go down to 10 knots, and 5 mins later it would be blowing a constant 28 knots, then go down to 26 and stay there. A 20 mile trip turns out to be 30 with wind against tide. No fun, and not why we wanted to come here.

Once anchored in the Fairy Isles though we realised why were here, it was for the scenery, not to say we've sailed here there and everywhere.

So this morning we woke up late, got up, looked out of the saloon as a seal bobbed by in the morning sunshine. We listened to Johnathan Ross before getting into Sprite, our little red tender, and heading off into the Fairy Isles to explore where Pixie can't. It was a magical little place. This afternoon was spent subathing before the short motor to Tayvallich. A pretty little town 15 mins motor away, and it took all of those 15 mins to wash the tar like mud off the anchor and foredeck. The stuff was black and gooey, and only rivals sixaflex for it's ability to get everywhere! Horrid, horrid stuff!



We're attached to a buoy in Tayvallich, and very nice it is too.



- Posted by Graham using Kirsty's iPhone