058:00.571 N
005:23.327 W

Badentarbat Bay, Tanera More Island, The Summer Isles

Bit of a rocky rolly night with the gusts refusing to die away until the early hours. It was therefore with some relief to be up and away by 0800, putting distance between TC and that rocky (beautiful) inlet with its rather complicated entrance. Fortunately we retraced our digital route in, and exited without drama.

We sailed through “The Minch” sea area (we’ve been waiting to do that for a while!) and are now anchored in The Summer Isles.

Today began with a really great sail; downwind and goosewinged, full rig and fast paced in 15-18 knots. TC danced about in the swell that grew rapidly once we were beyond the top of Rona and into the wider sea area. Skye on our port side was bathed in morning light and at 7-8 knots was soon fading over our stern.

We entered Puffin territory once again, these busy enchanting birds bob about on the water, then in a split second they dive down out of sight. Guillemots and Black Guillemots do the same, it is never a dull moment at the helm. 

As the wind was building, and before we were overwhelmed, we put 2 reefs in the main and halved the size of the jib; 28 of the 40 miles were sailed in these fabulous conditions. Then very oddly we literally sailed into a hole. Absolutely nothing, clumps of kelp right beside us remained right beside us for ten minutes; a good time for lunch before admitting defeat and starting the engine.

Arriving in The Summer Isles was like sailing into another planet, quite eerie in bad visibility, a flat grey sea with rocky islands jutting out, no initial signs of humanity. The few houses we eventually spotted had moss for roofs so were very well camouflaged.

We weaved our way through in pouring rain, to this bay which is next door to a salmon farm. Now the workers have gone home it is utterly silence except for………….. Cuckoos competing with Oystercatchers, Kittiwakes and Terns chasing Black Backed Gulls, Greylag Geese honking and flying in formation over us, everyone at max volume.

A seal is lurking too, but he is silent.

Great to be here and Harry arrives tomorrow.