Thursday July12th

58 12.5N 006 23.43W

We left Portree this morning under sunny skies but still a cold northerly breeze. The sea was flat and the morning shadows on the hillside stark in the crystal clear light. The tide was minimal but was forecast to be against us in the Minch – so we motored north and debated. The last harbour of refuge passed to port at midday and we decided to head out against the tide and hope that the forecast SW kicked in so that we wouldn’t have to motor all the 30 nm to Stornoway. It did and at 1815 we slid alongside the pontoon in Stornoway harbour marina. A very pleasant and welcoming harbour. We now have a few last minute jobs and provisions to get before picking the next weather window to head north. Last chance for a decent cheap pint for many a day.