We left Carrick Fergus with the tide and headed off to sunny Scotland (yea right sunny) at 0830 and had a motor boat ride across the North channel (the one between Ireland and Scotland, not the one at the top of Georgian Bay.this is for youz who are Geographically challenged). With local knowledge that we were able to obtain with bribes we were able to hug the coast close in and had a favourable 2 knots + against the ebb so we made good time and were well positioned when the tide turned and we crossed at 7-8 knots and sometimes more. We had light fog, med fog light fog and some more med fog and cold all the way. Foulies got a work out. Oh in case you didn't know it the term foulies comes from the perfume generated by wet gear that has been stored on board over the winter without ventilation!
We made it to Ardminish in good time 63 miles in 9 hours with no give or take. Picked up a mooring and there were 10 other boats all ready there and two more came in after us. A very popular spot. We were going to bypass it this year and go to the Queens ( the real one) beach but it was occupied. Spent the night and really early the next morning 0930 we left for Oban. A Dull foogy trip but quick sally figured out the time to leave to catch the tide and I added a whoops factor so we didn't get the full advantage but we still made 11.5 knots and arrived at Oban in good time. took a mooring and stayed on board and started to cook the rapidly thawing meat supply.
We left Oban at 0200 so that we could catch the Sea Lock at Corpatch which is only open 2hrs either side of High Water who is actually not the brother of low water but the brother of no water. It was a very calm foggy morning and as the sun rose yup in the East I could see the fog lifting up into the Scottish Hills. I even saw a wraith. You might ask what a wraith is or not care but I'm going to tell you anyway because I have the keyboard! So a wraith is a lost wandering spirit that only comes out on dull dreary misty foggy days. They kind of hang around close to the ground for the maximum scare value if you happen upon one whilst walking in a glen or some other part of Scotland. Think they might also be territorial as I only saw one and He, She, It did look a little lonely and I don't think they can swim either as He, She,It didn't come out to the boat for a visit. I was hoping it would as Sally was sleeping down below and a visit from a real wraith would have been priceless. Oh and they don't talk much so all in all would not make a bad guest. So back to the trip which was so quick i made it to the Lock to early! and had to wait for the opening. Didn't take long and it gave Ian and Margaret time to arrive. Which they did.
Loxk finally opened and in and up we went just like an elevator except somewhat dryer. Once Ian and Margaret were on board and they're stuff stowed ie thrown on the floor we did the escalator of Neptune's stair case. Once at the top we secured the boat right outside the facilities had a scrumtious dinner and a wobbly or two(hollidays so no one counts) we all went sleepy bys.
Sunday June 15/14 0830 we cast off for the arduous journey East through the Caledonia Canal which if you don't know was built by the same guy as who built the Rideau Canal Thomas Telford. He did an excellant job with both and they were both sized to take an English Frigate. In due time we arrived in Fort Augustus locked down insted of up tied up close to the lou again went walk about had another scrumptious dinner of soon to go bad stuff. We met a couple of guys with an older swan(boat not the bird) though there were some birds around. And after the girls chatted them up we got invited for breakfast in their condo in the old Abbey which had been made into an Abbey after the fort got to expensive to maintain so the Prince Augustus ave it to the Monks. Then the Monks fell on bad times and sold out to a condo developer so we got to go for breakfast. Left there later than I wanted but on dry land Captain doesn't count for much! We eventuall got under way and had a motorboat ride down Loch Ness and no Nessie this year guess she recognized us. and in due time we arrived in Inverness. Ian and Margaret left us after a great few days and we were left all alone :(. Not for long we called Fiona and she and Neil and Poppy came for dinner. Oh Poppy is a spoiled red dog make unknown at the moment but very friendly anyway. Tried to get the fridge fixed and no one in the whole @#$%^&*&^%$# country could be bothered to even come and have look at it! So it still isn't but the sea is cold so the beer is tolerable.
We left Inverness with the tide at 1730 hours and motored out of the harbour and once out past Fort George (the one in Scotland not NOTL) we hoisted the sails and had a very nice sail to Wick. arriving at 0500. Got squared away and went walk about to the distillery and then out to dinner at Witherspoons 2.95 pints!!!! and some fish and Chips.
Done UK and Ireland now so you'll just have to wait for Norway. OH OH just realized it wasn't a wraith but a Specter description still applies though.
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