Well - that was a good shakedown
cruise ! Mollymawk set off Wednesday lunch time to explore the Shiants and
Twister and Tula sailed (or rather motored) Thursday evening. Much meddling
with arial connections to establish comms going down Minch.
We passed the Shiants about 4am Friday and could see Paul's
mast head burning bright. He could hear us, but we couldn't hear him as his
battery was all but flat. Twister and Tula rendezvoused off Renish point (By
Rodel) and then motor sailed via Cope passage to the shallow waters of Berneray
and the peace of the “Berneray box”. We mulled over our options and realised
that if we wanted to head west, we should move fast as we were at 1/2 tide and
falling. As such we were off within 1/2 hour and dodged through the rocks in
the bay and the narrow gap past the standing posts.
Easy trip then to the Monachs in hot sun to arrive for 5
o’clock Friday. Great exploring on the westernmost Shillay and Stevenson’s
lighthouse dating from 1864. We were moored in about 2m water, and as tide rose
we managed to leave south through Shillay sound and moored in Southern bay to W
of Shivinish to avoid predicted N winds in night. As luck would have it wind
picked up after dawn from south and forced departure to N side of Ceann Ear where
we found the delightful “Donald’s Bay”
Both boat crews spent the morning exploring Ceann Ear,
taking in the ruined village, plentiful bird life, flotsam, and historical
sights. Cracking photo of some flotsam below. Our poor charts of the Monachs
(paper and plotter) were put to shame by the 1860 chart by Captain Otter on
wall of the museum! (section shown above):
Twister and Tula set of after lunch Saturday to join up with
Mollymawk at Pabbay. Mollymawk crew had spent morning exploring island.
After leisurely snacks, we all departed through Sound of
Harris North channel to reach Rodel with time in hand ( before closing). The
Vegas moored at pier on rising tide.
Magical and still night found us refreshed for the 3rd day
of the sun’s onslaught. We departed 8.30 through the sea channel ( 1/2 tide and
1m to spare !). We had good lift from tide on journey North, and on stopping at
Eugenie rock ( to E of Shiants) we were impressed with the overfalls in the
very calm conditions.
Twister and Mollymawk took opportunity to stop in at Camus
Trolleveig by Rhue Rheay anchoring at north end of sandy beach in 2m then onto
Tanera Beag with great sail from Priest Island. Monday started calm and misty,
however we were soon hit with a NE F6 to liven things up for the finale.
Great trip- hottest in memory - not much sailing but with
weather like that, perfect for relaxing and exploring! Roll on summer …
John Osborne