August 25th 100 GMT

63 26.62N 020 16.2W

After a 105nm motor sail around the Reykjanes peninsula in very calm conditions we arrived in Haimaey harbour and tied up on the fuel dock at 0130 this morning. The tide race around Reykjanes was impressive even in calm conditions with the tide under us and passing less than 150m from the shore, glad we got the timing and weather right. The night time entrance to Haimaey’s volcanically improved harbour was as dramatic as ever with a red buoy flashing to port off the end of the old lava flow guiding us into total blackness of the ever nearer towering basalt cliff on the starboard side – all a bit of a leap of faith or at least total trust in the buoyage system, and of course it was actually very easy. The false impression of space and proximity brought on by darkness was more than adequately illustrated when we looked out this morning and saw a huge cruise ship lying on the adjacent dock – so the entrance clearly has plenty of clearance for a 43 foot yacht. After an ‘anchor drop’ we all slept well and were up at 0800 to the sound of a whale watching trip rib was fuelling up next door. The harbour master soon arrived and indicated a more convenient berth as well as arranging for the Shell agent to top up our diesel. He arrived minutes later and after taking me back to the office to pay gave a quick tour of the town pointing out all the ‘must visit’ sights – much appreciated hospitality once more. We’ll now be here for a couple of days waiting for the next low pressure to pass before catching a ride on it’s tail end for the 550nm passage back to Stornoway.