Loch Shieldaiging

As you can imagine, we did not rush to get up after our 3am arrival. However, some sun lured us out finally. We took the RIB to the Gairloch harbour pontoon and then walked across the headland towards Gairloch itself. En route, you get to enjoy the stunning beach and loch views:

Passing the golf club, we saw a tempting sign – it said that the clubhouse (which also has stunning views) was open to visitors, did tea and cake and had free WiFi. As there was no data via O2, Three or EE anywhere in the area, we were happy – needed to check the long term forecast of course. Sitting outside in the sun, with a view across Gairloch, was wonderful. The scones were the same. The scouser who came to chat to us (local Tesco delivery van driver who liked alcohol and chatting) was amusing.  We were so glad not to have his liver (or booze bills). We used to meet all the scousers in Penarth – they seem to be spreading out now. Perhaps this one wants to keep an EU passport?

Having said farewell to the Liverpool comic, we wandered back again enjoying the loch and beach panorama:

Being high above the little harbour area on the headland gave a nice vista too:

Back on the boat, the RIB looked very happy bobbing around behind us:

 So, not wanting it to enjoy itself, we took it for a trundle around Loch Shieldaig:

You can see how well trussed up the Nordhavn is - the messy line around the bow is the chunky fixed mooring strop, being hauled out of the way. You can also get an idea of how beautiful the surroundings are:

Then the RIB had a blat across to Badachro which is good for the engine, less good for the crew’s posterior and back though as there were a few waves building. The moorings around the island are in a very picturesque setting and the narrow channel around the southern side at low water is quite impressive too:

Andrew, the nice Welsh chap who is now happily cruising on his own Nordhavn had kindly sent us the 48 hour forecast by SMS. When we heard the short term update from the Stornoway coastguard on their regular 7:10pm update, we revised our plans. A building southerly wind would make a trip to South Uist tomorrow pretty unpleasant once out of the shelter of Skye.

Going overnight tonight would allow us to optimise the tides, shorten the journey time and have a smoother run with the tide against us towards the end of the trip too, avoiding "wind over tide". The only drawback was heading off at 10pm after arriving here at 3am.  Leaving it another day would not be nice – force 7 winds were forecast. So, 10 pm it was to be. Time to recover the RIB and prepare for departure….. We did get to enjoy the setting evening sun on the hills though: