Marica goes clockwise

I heard the familiar sound of Sailing the Farm's diesel engine as I lay in my quarter berth this morning. Apparently they are heading back to Norway to change the engine, amongst other things. I didn't get up to wave them goodbye, as I'd had a late night trying to back up my iPad, get it to activate, or do anything. Eventually success by plugging it into my laptop and connecting to iTunes through my phone, also connected to the laptop. Hurrah!

I did get up shortly after, tested my bodge on the engine stop cable. It needed adjusting but then seemed to be OK. I motored over to the fuel berth and filled up. I paid for the fuel and one night in the marina (£5). The man insisted I only owed for one night so I said I'd not argue.

Motored over to the works lock, no one around so got on the radio. Yep they would send someone over in half an hour. I made porridge. The lock keeper arrived by motorbike. She took me down the lock then waited for a train before the bridge could be opened. One more lock to go. The guy at the sea lock pointed out the best route to proceed east. First over to the northern shore then through the middle of the huge bridge that carries the A9. As I left the security of the canal into the North Sea it started to rain heavily with poor visibility. I thought of heading back or into the nearby marina.

We pressed on and the rain ceased. A great bunch of seals on a sand bank on the south shore. I managed to get the headsail out for a while, but mostly the wind was on the nose, so it was motoring all the way.

We got to Findhorn a little after low water. A lovely rainbow seemed to highlight the place. The waves were a little uncomfortable and going forward to rig a bow line I drooped the shank of rope. One of my favourite mooring lines too, so I spun Marica round and had a hunt, but I think it probably sunk. There are breakers either side of the marked channel. I headed in, and past most of the breakers. We then ran out of water. I kept the engine running and lashed the tiller. The boat was being lifted and rolled, but we were not making progress. Looking at the tide gauge and predictions it looked like the best option was to head back out past the breakers and stooge around for an hour.

We headed out and looked at other possible options. Burghead, a fishing port was just over an hour away. We could make that before nightfall, rather than wait an hour and try again going into Findhorn. Shame, I'd been hoping to visit Findhorn.

The harbour at Burghead was mostly full of fishing boats. I spotted a bare patch of dockside in the shallows. It needed reversing into which we achieved fairly well. I had to pull myself up on a ring to get onto the quay to secure the boat. I pulled Marica forward to a ladder and set the lines and springs. I was just getting ready to explore the town when a small fishing boat arrived. I made the mistake of asking if I was in his spot. I was indeed and he pointed out that it would dry out overnight. No problem as I would be leaving on the tide tomorrow. He suggested going alongside a sailing boat or the metal boat in front of me. He offered to help, and even offered me one of his lobsters. I took the hint and moved.

There may be gold at the end of this rainbow, but there's a distinct lack of water.