058:08.871 N
005:14.939 W

Lochinver

The sun shone bright on Harry’s first full day back on TC since he left in Dartmouth in April, lucky us. We weaved our way back through The Summer Isles enjoying seeing them properly for the first time (quite a nice view through the galley window too!). A few are inhabited, what stunning places to live on a sunny summer’s day.

We had 2 reefs in the main and a handkerchief of jib when we left Ullapool which was ideal for the 20-25 knots thrown our way. Once we were through the Isles and bore away, it was thrilling downwind sailing, and particularly exhilarating sitting on the foredeck with TC surging down the waves.

Mountains and rocky headlands came and went by fast as we often saw at 8 knots on the speedo; The Summer Isles were soon lost behind us over the horizon as new peninsulas came into view.

With Puffins, Guillemots, Gannets and Razorbills spotted, and a boisterous visit from a pod of Dolphins as we turned towards Lochinver, nature was relishing the energised white water as much as TC.

It is always alarming heading straight towards a new venue with an unfamiliar rocky shoreline ahead, fortunately on this occasion there was a pair of red/green markers at the entrance of the Loch; comforting to see, and then a breakwater appeared in the distance; even more comforting to see.

Thank goodness for roller furling and then a moderately calmer sea to take the mainsail down. We nosed around the breakwater towards a single pontoon with three available finger berths; it was another ‘one chance’ as the wind increased to well over 25 knots, fortunately Bol can move TC into anything, even with a F6 side on. 

Lochinver was a ghost town this Saturday afternoon, a stark contrast to our 5hr roller coaster to get here. Harry has returned from a walk to a freshwater Loch that is overlooked by the majestic Suilven mountain, he also spotted a Deer that was nibbling hedges in town.