Davaar Island Lighthouse - Photo by author
There are so many things one can feel in this life. The roller coaster of emotion whips us high in the sky, over high peaks, spins us around, and dips, over and over again – it’s thrilling, and it’s scary, and it’s one hell of a ride. The recent unexpected death of my mother has urged me to ensure I embrace life with all my might, face my fears with more rational strategies and enjoy the small things that the world has to offer. Don't be afraid but be alive, yes that's it, a good succinct strap line to play over in my head when the doubting ability gremlin turns up. I have come to realise that, every day we live is a day closer to the day we die, so I am planning to make the most of every day I have left.
My inspiration - Mum dancing the legs off that sailor!
A bit of a dower start to this episode but I suppose it goes some way to describing my state of mind and my desperate desire to just get going, move on and start this years adventure. So the adventure of 2021 is set, to sail Sandpiper with my husband around the shores of north west Scotland and the Hebrides. Scotland for me is all about the beautiful and secluded anchorages that offer solitude and quietness. Of course there is the obvious draw of the odd whiskey distillery and the beauty of the wilderness and wildlife. Therefore on the last day of May, with a little trepidation we left the safety of a marina once more and set sail for a life at anchor, one which did not offer the every day luxuries of daily showers, uninterrupted TV signal, unlimited water, electricity, fuel and the convenience of a supermarket on the door step. What were we thinking? A question, I did give some space in my head as we squeezed passed the Clyde Marina storm gate and headed out to the open sea. So to ease us in gently we decided to go to another marina for the first evening.
The safety of Clyde Marina - photo by Peter Ribbeck
Content in the knowledge that we would be in a marina again by nightfall it was time to regain my sea legs. I carefully moved around the deck and made my way through the companion way on a hourly basis to log our position. I was thankful for the many handholds on Sandpiper and the fact that I didn't feel queasy down below as we swayed and surfed the waves. I forgot what it was like to balance whilst trying to undo clothing, wrestle with many layers in the confined space called the heads - Oh the fun of having a pee! I decided that some balance exercises were required and believe me it sounds simply but I was out of practice.
It looked like the weather over the next two days was going to be gorgeous, the trip to Campbelltown was to be blessed with sun but little wind. Shame as we were itching to unfurl the sails but a more consistant blow was required, no one wants to flog their sails unnecessarily. The Scottish weather can offer every season in a day. You may wake up in the morning needing your thermals and by the afternoon be in shorts. Today however we were lucky enough to wear shorts all day long, such a great feeling as we had experienced some bleak weather over the winter.
After motoring for what seemed a long time we turned to approach our home for the night. Campbelltown marina is small and Gary reduced his speed to navigate the green buoy by the entrance, it seemed like many others had had the same idea of stopping over in Campbelltown before rounding the Mull of Kintyre. Every available spot was filled other than one which was made to measure literally, with not much room for error and of course as always wind appears when you do not desire it. Since coming down the marked channel we had indeed found wind, pushing us on, making negotiating any berth a bit of bitch. Sensibly Gary observed the options before committing and took the decision to reversed back out from the marina entrance into clear waters to adjust our mooring lines and fenders. Gary executed the maneuver fabulously but hell getting out again was hairy especially at 4am in the morning. We were heamed in both fore and aft, a little bit like a sardine in a wee tin!
Campbeltown when less congested! Photo by author
The following morning at 3am the alarm clock abruptly woke us both and we dressed in thermals knowing that such an early start was always colder, probably due to lack of sleep. We are both notoriously poor at going to bed early the night before an early start. Those nights always offer the best conversations and appear to invite too many tipples of wines. Never the less Gary got us out of a tight berth with precision, he was ultra controlled as it was super tight. I was ready to fend, Garys timing was perfect, what with all the prop wash, kick to starboard in reverse etc etc!. The slow navigation of the channel and the rounding of Davaar Island was a great opportunity for me to take a few snaps and capture the beauty in the lens.
Sunrise in Campbeltown Channel - Photo by author.
We were heading to round the Mull of Kintyre and tides wait for no man. This passage was noted as a challenging one and no matter how often I read the pilot guide it got no less treacherous. My fear gremlin could have a field day with this one. Read how we got on in the next article.
Until the next time, stay safe and happy. xx
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