Mornfull singing seals on the beach
Coasting round the corner into Mingulay Bay the beach appeared to be dotted with hundreds of large rocks. Sailing closer the rocks became seals, singing on the beach, a few curious enough to inspect our anchoring technique.
Even on this calm day the sand was fringed with surf. Preferring to stay dry and not disturb the grey seals we lunched aboard.
Afterwards a fair sail took us up to Eriskay for the night and to sit out yet more strong winds.
|
Comments [1]
Mingulay cliffs, didn't want to get too close!
An early start saw Taransay Mhor sailing south to Mingulay, famous for its wild sea cliffs and sandy beach. The sea was calm, wind light encouraging us to consider sailing right around Mingulay.
Passing through above the island the current was setting against us, the wind died off, then the sun went behind a cloud and atlantic swell rose up against us. Whose idea was this? Majestic cliffs, grey sea, grey sky, soaring seabirds, 3000 miles to the next land.
A sudden flash of orange alerted us to pots, or was it a long salmon net. We eventually found the last buoy on a row which stretched out of sight. By now I was looking forward to regaining the calm on the other side.
It was a relief to pass the rocky islets protecting the narrow Sound of Berneray at the bottom of Mingulay.
|
Visitor moorings in Castlebay
Light winds and slight seas saw us safely over to Castlebay on the Isle of Barra all in under 12 hours. After a walk ashore and a drink in the Castlebay Hotel bar we planned to sail to Mingulay at the southern most end of the Outer Hebrides next morning.
|
Arisaig, Loch nan Ceall
Two days in the sunny lagoon at Arisaig. Came here looking for a current weather forecast and a rest from the winds experienced in Canna Harbour.
|
Where are the Outer Hebrides? over there
We sailed for the Isle of Canna, one of The Small Isles to the west of Mull, after a pit stop in Tobermory. A fabulous mooring to mooring sail, off the wind under mizzen and genoa brought us to Canna Harbour where seals basked in the evening sun. Passing the impressive cliffs on the west of Rhum we saw rafts of Puffins riding the waves, all waiting for a suitable time to come ashore and nest.
Plan A; To stay two nights and head out to the Outer Hebrides in fine spring weather.
Plan B: There was no plan B
In reality, after five days of sun, wind, rain, and hail, everyday! We had to formulate a plan B. Postponing the Outer Hebrides we have come into Arisaig for weather info and shelter.
Leaving Taransay on one of the new mooring buoys in sheltered Canna Harbour, we walked for miles saw eagles soaring over the cliffs, harbour seals playing in the anchorage, friendly lambs and hundreds of rabbits. Canna is owned by the National Trust for Scotland, we talked with some of the eleven residents who were very welcoming, the pier was a social place when the ferry was in.
|
Hillside Cottage
A week away at New Year led us to this lovely area in Somerset with outstanding walking. Now we are the proud owners of a holiday cottage in The Quantock Hills.
The last couple of months have been hectic getting everything up and running and this explains why we have not caught up with everyone at home as we had wanted and hope you can understand why.
Our agent, www.sykescottages.co.uk Property Ref 21976or see under Links on the right
|
Not all anchorages are online
Phone signal reception is patchy, yesterday we took a motor in to the sound for phone reception and today climbed a mountain.
Last year it was not such an issue for us however this year we have a new project that requires our attention and address some of the issues associated with not having a home base.
If you are interested there are more photos on the facebook page, see under Links on the right.
|
Taransay Mhor anchored in Sailean Mor
A short hop round to this sheltered anchorage enabled us to accept an invitation for coffee on Curlew. Several hours later equipped with lots of info on the Outer Hebrides and a detailed chart of the Sound of Harris we made it back to Taransay. The anchorage was so good we stayed two nights. Now there is a large depression moving over Ireland which is making us little depressed as it may throw more weather our way.
|
Early morning on the new pontoon in Loch Aline
Two nights anchored in Loch Aline, one of them rather wet & windy, made the lure of the new pontoons too much, shame the new shower block still has the builders in. The rain did not stop all day and there's a rumour you may have a drought down south! We met another couple enjoying the wildlife on a wet walk around the loch, from yacht Curlew anchored nearby.
Later a fast, blustery sail then took us to Loch Drumbuie near the top of Mull.
|
Taransay alone on the pontoon in Tobermory
The cruising guide advises arriving early in Tobermory to ensure a space on the busy pontoons. I think we may be a month too early.
|
