Picked up mooring at Creran Marine last night  (   56:31.75N 05:19.22W   ).  This morning everything was calm, nothing was bashing about, and a variety of birds were calling to each other on the loch. It is a wonderful world. 

 

Over the last month I have wrestled on occasions with Neil’s old laptop (the family’s ‘hand me up’ policy) on which the blog has been tapped out.  Fiona’s (Canadian cousin) Dad (my uncle Keith) is merrily computing away and apparently following progress – offering hope that with time my computing skills may improve. 

 

My blogging this year has not been as exciting as Neil’s description of our trip together last year.  Perhaps, for me, that has been a good thing.  Although Louis, a colleague at work, could tell you that I’ll never make a decent author. 

 

My summer holidays last year and this have been hugely enjoyable, and I’ve learned a bit on the way   -  quite a bit of this from Neil, who is a more natural sailor than me. The theme of the longer distance sailing trips has been a bit like work (enjoy it on the way, try not to break anything, keep plugging on, try to foresee what may happen soon, think a bit out of the box).  I am very grateful to my colleagues Michelle and Francesco for giving me the opportunity to do the two trips, when it has not been wholly convenient for them.  At least for just two years I can hold my head up at work and have a holiday nearly as exciting as some of theirs. 

 

Ruth and Neil have given wonderful support this year and last.  Both passages would not have been possible, or as safe, without their freely given time and hard work.  Lorna has been particularly forbearing in letting me, and her half of the boat, go off on a jolly like this.  

 

Now it’s putting the boat ashore, packing up, if he’s not too busy a bit of interesting chat with Ewen in his yard, and back to reality.