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Janet Jones Diary

Page 3 : Camus Darach - Ornsay - Loch Duich                                                     <  Prev  1 2 3

4.30 pm:  Don’t mind this at all. Same light SW breeze but running back north with it now along east coast of Skye, goose winged,   relaxed and stretched out in sun.

5.30 pm: Have just disturbed the most enormous whale! (Was basking shark really) Sailed around while it swam under us several times until Steve said “ Er.. is it me, or is it really chasing my boat?”

Decided 30 ft of shark was a little unnerving so left it to feed in peace.

Talked excitedly about it for ages. “ Its mouth was open and it was this big.”  Demonstrating with hands wide apart.

“Did you get a picture Dave?”  “No.”

Wind dying now.

6.30 pm: Wind strengthening again from NW where we’re heading! Just our luck. No wind all day then in comes from the wrong direction! Getting late now, awfully rocky everywhere, tried one bay – too difficult to carry boats up and no room to anchor. 

Set off again - hope we can land soon, wind getting stronger. Strange how we always seem to be beating into it.

Getting hungry now, need to land.

10.30 pm: Found somewhere at last, came in behind Isle Ornsay near Camus Croise.

Much quieter on shore, even some midges about.

Left the men to play with anchors in mud while I put up tepee and got meal underway (boiled water for b-in-bag). Just sailed into harbour at low water, hence mud, round Ornsay Lighthouse, near Camuscroise. V tired! In for nasty day tomorrow apparently, so might stay here. Lots of houses, could be worse, looks like hotel by pier.

Wed 1st 9.30 am: Yup v wet and v windy. Ugh! Damp sleeping bag, damp clothes. Shall I brave knee deep mud for clean clothes bag? No, think I’ll manage, no-one will notice.

8.30 pm: Had superb meal (pan fried bream) by log fire. In hotel all day except for walk to art gallery (1 mile in rain) and whiskey sampling at distillery next door. Not sure which was biggest attraction, whiskey or girl handing it out. Left them to it.

Nice photo exhibition in village hall. Miserably wet all day but bit warmer; glad to be ashore though in for another damp night.

Must press on tomorrow as expected back at campsite Thursday evening latest.

Thurs 3.30 pm: Saw another basking shark in Kyle Rhea, not so close though. Shot through there so quickly with 4½ knot current with us. Bit alarmed in breaking waves caused by wind over tide on other side of Kyle. 65 miles in three days (didn’t count Wed) quite good for a first trip. Have enjoyed it but v relieved to be back at Ardelve. Thought the castle would never come into view. Beating into strong wind and rain for last few hours. Why is that? Wherever you have to sail its always to windward. Hate to admit it but D may be right about learning to sail well to windward by racing. Last few miles into Loch Duich awful, no wind this morning, expected to paddle so didn’t put much on. Wind got up from NE – not enough clothes on.

Physical discomfort extreme! Wet, cold etc. Didn’t sail well, got behind, got fed up, got worried. Encouraging noises from Dave (who stayed behind) didn’t help. Got cross but seemed to sail better – eventually made it back to beach. Hands wouldn’t work, couldn’t even wind sail round mast.

4.30 pm: Fine now after Steve’s great cup of tea, few trips to car with gear and some dry clothes. Realise they were all in same state. Had to keep going while tide was with us. Not much said as we packed up, eager to get on road home. Looking back, great trip, wouldn’t have missed any of it for the world.

                                                                     Lessons learned :

                                               1. Have warm clothes in accessible bag (Not down watertight hatch)

                                               2. Insist on stopping for lunch

                                               3. Wear reliable waterproofs 

                                               4. Don’t take excess baggage

                                                5. Buy smaller tent (teepee wonderfully roomy but heavy especially when wet)

                                                6. Get fitter

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