A little boat and a big ocean.

19 July 2020

18 September 2015 | Beaulieu River, UK 50’27.32N 2’32.09W – Hayling Yacht Company, Hayling Island, UK 50 48.27’N 0’58.24W via Wicor Marine, UK

The end……. Or is it?

14 September 2015 | St Anne, Alderney 49’43.47N 2’11.35W – Beaulei River, UK 50’27.32N 2’32.09W via Studland Bay, UK

The usual and unusual.

12 September 2015 | Gosselin, Sark 49’25.78N 2’22.70W – St Anne, Alderney 49’43.47N 2’11.35W

Bristles.

07 September 2015 | St Peter Port, Guernsey 49’27.32N 2’32.09W – Harve Gosselin, Sark 49’25.78N 2’22.70W

Abracadabra.

01 September 2015 | Tregarvan, Aulne River, France 48’15.16N 4’14.00W – St Peter Port, Guernsey 49’27.32N 2’32.09W via Cameret Sur Mer, France & Herm, Guernsey

Secret squirrels results in smiles.

23 August 2015 | Ile de Penfret, Iles de Glenan, France 47’43.05N 3’57.04W – Tregarvan, Aulne River, France 48’15.16N 4’14.00W via Anse de Kerautret, River Odet, France, Englishmans Cove, River Odet, France & Camerat sur Mer, France

Hovering, Horrified and Hiding.

19 August 2015 | Treac’h er Gourhed, Ile Houat, France 47’22.99N 2’56.85W - Ile de Penfret, Iles de Glenan, France 47’43.05N 3’57.04W via Port Kerel, Belle Ile, France & Port Tudy, Groix, France

Designed for purpose.

14 August 2015 | La Rochelle, France 46’08.60N 1’10.09W – Treac’h er Gourhed, Ile Houat, France 47’22.99N 2’56.85W via Anse des Vieilles, Ile d’Yeu, France & Trebezy, St Nazaire, France

Guadeloupe or Martinique, Ile d’Yeo or Ile Houat.

08 August 2015 | Anse l’Oubye, Ile de Re, France 46 09.2455 N 1’15.50W – La Rochelle, France 46’08.60N 1’10.09W

La Sandwich

04 August 2015 | Ribadesella, Spain 43’27.81N 5’03.71W – Anse l’Oubye, Ile de Re, France 46 09.2455 N 1’15.50W

Fables vs Reality

01 August 2015 | Ribadesella, Spain 43’27.81N 5’03.71W

Hide and seek.

28 July 2015 | Luarco, Spain 43’32.87N 6’32.08W – Ribadesella, Spain 43’27.81N 5’03.71W via Laurno

Whoop whoop. Danger danger.

24 July 2015 | Ria Vivero, Spain 43’40.55N 7‘36.16W – Luarco, Spain 43’32.87N 6’32.08W via Ribadeo, Spain

English. Yes English. Do you speak ENGLISH?

21 July 2015 | Ria de Cedeira, Spain 43’39.26N 8’03.74W – Ria Vivero, Spain 43’40.55N 7‘36.16W

Viva Espania.

16 July 2015 | Vila Franca do Campo, Sao Miguel, Azores 37’43.01N 25’25.75W – Ria de Cedeira, Spain 43’39.26N 8’03.74W, via Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, Azores

A change is as good as a rest.

06 July 2015 | Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, Azores 37’44.29N 25’39.94W – Vila Franca do Campo, Sao Miguel, Azores 37’43.01N 25’25.75W

Tales of the unexpected.

30 June 2015 | Angra do Heroismo, Terceira, Azores 38’39.15N 27’12.97W – Ponta Delgada, Sao Migual, Azores 37’44.29N 25’39.94W

An island beyond words.

25 June 2015 | Velas, Sao Jorge, Azores 38’40.82N 28’12.16W – Angra do Heroismo, Terceira, Azores 38’39.15N 27’12.97W

Fly, transforms to walk, transforms to raisin.

19 June 2015 | Horta, Faial, Azores 38’31.99N 28’37.50W – Velas, Sao Jorge, Azores 38’40.82N 28’12.16W via Cais do Pico, Pico Azores

Actions of generations.

Bungle, George, Geoffrey and Zippy.

10 April 2012 | Troon, Scotland, 55’32.772N, 04’40.602W - Kilchatton Bay, Bute, 55’45.051N, 05’01.244W

We really have passed a watershed now on the fair ship Ruffian. When we left the Solent all those weeks ago we were on a bit of a mission to get to the fabled lands of the Scottish Isles. We are now here and things finally feel like we are cruising and not on some extended delivery. The scenery is breath taking and the winds from Troon to Bute have been fair and the sun has shone. Long may this and day sailing last. It certainly makes a change both starting and finishing sailing in daylight as this is the first time since we left Falmouth over 2 weeks ago that we've achieved it. We think it can now be officially said that we are 'cruising' and not going through the chore of passage making.

Although Troon proved to be an ideal destination for the sail from Ireland it was not ideal in many other ways. Looking at the Troon town website the highlights included, the high street, the marina and a statue. Not much to do or see for the pleasure seeker and so it was with a happy heart that after doing some chores this morning, which included Iain's final commitment to PTC, we started a simple day sail to Bute.

There must be heaps of gold in the hills of Scotland and also an abundance of Leprechaun's as rainbows were a plenty and rain has been absent whilst at sea on Ruffian. We had Arran to the West, Bute to the north, Ailsa Craig to the south and the mainland to the east. Everywhere we looked there was something to see; it was as if the blanket that had been covering all to see when we sailed into Scotland, a mere few days ago, had been lifted.
Industry is clearing thriving in Scotland as on the sail today, fishing boats were getting ready to land their catches and on land, farms were on every hillside. These farms were not of the arable or livestock variety, but of the wind type. We cannot decide if these pieces of engineering give a majestic beauty to the hillsides or are a blight on the eye. Only time will tell.

All it all, this has been worth the wait and the sail here to see and feel everything we have today.

The delights of Troon.