Harris

After being in Stornaway we decided that this was as far North as we were going this year . Loads of other boats had made the same decision. We decided to head south in the hope of avoiding the strong winds. As if to make the point, the day we set off the weather cleared so we decided to visit the Shiant Islands ( small group of islands just off Harris) The islands are alive with birds. When you sail in , it is like being in a swarm. They are everywhere. Afraid you don’t get a feeling of just how alive it was from the pictures. We went out in the dingy and drifted along the shore. The bird were totally un-phased by us and if anything, followed us along the shore. They started diving under the dingy ( I am sure that this was just out of curiosity as with that number of birds there could not have been any fish ). This is where I discovered that my waterproof Iphone is not! . But I did get some good video before it went pop. Below are some of the stills I took from the video.

What is that big shiny thing in the sky?

The Shiants

We spent a good 20 mins just watching them swim under the dingy

There was a strong current pulling us under this arch, luckily, we noticed and took avoiding action.

Harris

We headed into Tarbert on Harris. Cracking wee Marina, run by Carolanne and Fred. Brilliant people who could not be more helpful. The Marina is just in front of the Harris Gin distillery.

So the first trip out was to cycle over to Luskentyre. Bit of a hill, but well worth the trip.

A view of the marina. We are last on the left of the long jetty. We also met up with friends on “Josi” on the left of the work boat. Debbie lived in Tarbert where I was brought up.

This is Brilliant – The reason I took the picture is for the first time I have seen a sign that does not just say “Don’t dump your waste here” but also actually says where you can dump it. Outstanding . Well done Harris.

Sand and hills and sky (love the colour)

We stopped for Ice cream on the way back and were pestered by this chicken for food . Had a dog beg for food , but a chicken was a first on us.

A Trip to South Harris and Rodel Church

We took a trip to the south of Harris with our friends, Debbie and Gary . You can take the bus down one side ( The Gold Road – so called because of the amount of money it cost ) , and back up the other. I dont know why people go to Alton Towers – just get in behind a Harris bus driver !

Story has it that the Lewd Man nearly underwent Gender Realignment when the countess of Dunmore ordered her ghillie to shoot of the offending part ( Thanks Andy Greig for the info)

We met a girl looking for the heart in the wall ( we found it ). No idea of the significance

The head of the loch. The large building on the right was a hotel , but is now been converted into a private house. It is being fully restored using lime mortar etc That will not be a small bill!

A Blast from the Past

While in the marina we met a couple of chaps who had sailed in on a Wayfarer. They had come across from Uig on Sky in some fairly strong winds . Turns out they were from Thornbury Sailing club where I used to sail when we lived in Bristol. They take this wee boat all over the place. They sleep and cook in it. Makes me realise what a wimps we are.

What real sailor’s sail ( Jenny learned to sail in one of these) Wayfarers are just under16 feet long and were designed in 1957 by Ian Proctor and have been sailed everywhere, notably to Iceland and Norway from Scotland and back crossing the North Sea twice by a guy called Frank Dye in Wayfarer #48, Wanderer. I learned to sail and did my Queen’s Scout expedition in one and can’t think of a better wee boat to learn in.

Little and Large (16ft Wayfarer and a 72 ft Oyster)

Trip to Scalpay

There is a small island called Scalpay with a lighthouse on it, connected to Harris by a bridge. We decided it was worth a trip. Unleash the Bromptons…