MV Seaflower was in to-day with 12 guests, they brought the smoked salmon and prawns from Shieldaig, we had a blether and cup of tea with Kenny and Gemma. It was good to see them we had missed them when we went to Inverness last week. They were telling me of the antics of the yachts at their new pontoon. I did not like to say I told you so because I thought it was only me that attracted the ‘difficult’ sailors but it seems Shieldaig has had a few, Gemma says it is 50/50 so far, don’t hold your breath. I could go on but we need to be positive and with the weather being so good it brings everyone out and we just hope that the visitors are positive too. In fact this last while on Rona we have had a good crowd of yachts in and they have been pretty good at supporting us.

Now That’s a Boat

We took off quickly to Inverness last Tuesday, the weather although settled could spring up from the North and that was the concern. A haircut was badly needed so no option but to clear out quick. We had an overnight and next day after a hectic shop we were on our way back.

Shopping Dash

It often feels like a trolley dash and this is just the efforts of one day in Inverness!!

Family Day out

We were pleased to see the Greylag geese and goslings again this year and with two families in Big Harbour the entertainment is great. We had had a text from Yacht Escapade Nick and Anne, inviting us to dinner so after a frantic shop it was good to know we were not having to cook.

Anne on Escapade

We had a lovely evening and good to see the crew back again.

Delicious, How Did She Do It?

We oftyen marvel at the dishes we are lucky to have on the yachts we are invited out to, the facilities are definitely limited but the ingenuity of the chefs is very resourceful.

Creel Hauler Service

After a late night we were up early and getting the creel hauler ready for the season. A season of rust later I had it all down on the boat. We had invited Yacht Escapade to tea so mid afternoon we downed tools and started preparing.

Salad For Tea

It is very handy at the moment to nip up to the poly tunnel for salad and the radishes have done rather well this year.

Gasthering

Next day Escapade left and as it was pretty grey a paperwork morning was spent sourcing the items that the MCA/Mecal wanted for the boat license. All good because it is better to be safe.

Roy

Yacht Tawdri came in and took the mooring. We did not see them for a while but once the sun shone the crew appeared. I had a good crack with Roy Macgregor, a fellow East coaster who is languishing in the South, a Doctor for many years. Interesting to hear the odd East coast word creeping into his otherwise anglicised accent. He was enjoying very much the West Coast weather and was looking forward to retiring, his son in law from France was with him and even more interesting to hear him flit from English, Doric to French. He helped bait the creels but unfortunately duty called, he returned to the yacht  and he missed a trip out to shoot them. The left for the Hebridies in the morning. Hopefully we will see them again.

Angus The Tattie Man

In the middle of it Angus and John, who share a yacht arrived, they have been pals for years at school together and we look forward to their visits. However this time there was no talk of work for them as they were heading out to Uist. Normally they call in on the way back but the wind put them North instead of South. But I guess they are having a very nice week.

MECAL Requirements

Next day back to the boat I had put it on the beach early and left it to dry out. In the meantime I was doing my ‘Calum The Road’ bit by adding to Hugh’s sterling work and putting on some top dressing where the dumper could not reach. Once the boat was high and dry I fitted a new anode, very handy to use the hole that had appeared in the sump of the boat to fix it, stops the leak and the erosion at the same time.

Calum The Road

I had to get electric to the boat so I ran out a cable which enabled me to drill quite a few holes, but always a rush against the tide.

All New

I got the new compass fitted and it was surprisingly accurate even surrounded with metal but I think the aluminium is not a problem, I did have a screwdriver near it and it started doing all sorts of funny things.

Beached

Later on when the rain came the boat floated and I quickly got it back on the pontoon despite the East wind.

Stunned

I had bought some timber when away and had put together another batch of Rona fish boxes. I needed one for a bookcase another to heighten the table in the cabin. When I got up to the cabin I found this wee bird gasping for breath on the decking, it had flown into the window and I think the sun beating down was giving it a hard time. I moved it into the shade and a half hour later it was gone.

Why did the geese cross the road?

Later on the geese paid us a visit to show off their new brood and to mow the grass, makes a change from the sheep.

Nearing The End of The Day

After a long day and busy spell it was good to pick up L at Dry Harbour and make our way home to put the feet up