In which Sid and Doris hope to beat the weather home.
it is time to take Flyer home to Alba at Dunstaffnage marina. The weather forecast shows winds of about 10 knots with gusts building from 20 (some) to 35 (lots) as the day goes on.
Doris takes the wheel for the trickle through the narrows and we get sails up with two reefs in the main. We have most of the headsail out for speed but the wind builds and we put much of it away. The wind is coming up the sound so we tack toward home envying the downwind sailors coming toward us with a full genoa and apparently gentle breezes.
Soon enough the cloud comes in, the rain is pummelling down and we put the nav lights on in late morning. There is some ferry traffic to look out for. Then the law of Sod comes into play as the wind on the nose, presence of fishing boats and placement of islands means a few minutes of tactical engine on.
Visibility is terrible but as there is almost no leisure traffic there is nothing much to dodge. After the islands the tacks are longer. But tacking (non boater speak = zigzagging) with a small sail plan (because of the gusting winds) means speed to destination is very slow. Anyone looking at the track will see we decide it is engine time and make straight for Loch Linnhe.
As we found on our first day, Dunstaffnage marina has very little shelter from this wind and it takes two goes round to get through the gusts onto the diesel pontoon. There are keen spectators in a large deck saloon moored opposite, of course.
Given the hoooley blowing we elect to have one of the staff move Flyer over to Alba’s moorings. Sid talks to the diesel dude who says they prefer this modesty to watching people who say “I am a yacht master, I will do this” pinballing off the other boats because they don’t know the tidal swirls through the harbour. The staff are rewarded with the left over contents of the fridge, including half a pound of cheddar and a pint of longline milk, which makes a change from being given a box of chocolates.
Then two hours of cleaning to hand Flyer back fuelled, watered and ready to go again. Sid goes to find a laundry at a nearby petrol station so we have clothes for our walking in the Lake District.
Great views, entertaining nature and Friendly Anchorages that all wildly over claim their facilities. We were able to cope with the sea without sickness or much fear which puts us in a good state to crew for friends. We think we quite like sailing. With an electric outboard we could come back.
The Epic Journey over the sea to Skye, the Hebrides and Small Isles is complete. Well done, Skipper Doris.