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.

All we need now is Bill Oddie.

11 April 2012 | Kilchattan Bay, Bute, 55’45.051N, 05’01.244W

If there is wildlife everywhere in the Scottish Isles as we have found on the Isle of Bute then its remarkable how there is anything green left. We've had seals, mad march hares, deer, birds of prey and even some locals within eyesight. The time on Bute so far has been one of Scottish cruising at it's best with no sailing, heaps of sun, amazing scenery and sandy beaches.

After the delivery like feeling that all on board Ruffian had, it was nice to spend some time not thinking about passage planning or the next landfall and to simply enjoy the location that we were lucky enough to be in. This place happened to be Kilchattan Bay at the south end of Bute. There is walking a plenty at this end of the island and we were both keen to explore. So out we went walking boots in hand, well, on foot, and followed the coastline that we had viewed form the seaward side yesterday. The heat on land was remarkable and as we came to the next bay a seal decided that we shouldn't have sole use of the beach. Slowly he made is way in popping his head up with trepidation every 10 yards with us sitting in the black sand lapping up the sunshine in awe of this amazing country.

When we left the south coast we promised each other white sandy beaches, sunshine and crystal clear water. Killchattan Bay delivered all three. It was all too much for Iain during a romantic afternoon walk and he felt he had to cool off and go paddling. Cool off he did. The water here, although in the Gulf stream, is freezing with a capital FRRRRR. There is an adage in Scotland that if you don't like the weather then you should wait for 5 minutes. This was the case for the stroll home. Things turned from bright sunshine and still seas to lashing rain and 25 knots of breeze. Not a problem for our intrepid couple. At the end of the beach, by the ship, is a pub. Ahhh slice you may think. Oh no, very shut, too early in the season.

The rest of the week could prove to be highly social for us as we are hoping to hitch up with Chris Helm who lives in Bute and Nico and Glen who are 'over this way' dropping Will off at school in Melrose. We don't know how we will cope with such a crammed social diary or indeed the social interaction. Wish us luck.

The sun shines and the sea glistens.