After a busy week we are off to the South for a few days, thank goodness, it has been a long season. Autumn is here and the last week has just swept by. Here is an up date:

Sunny Days

The weather was calm so boat trips were easy, we lifted creels and fished a bit, not so many mackerel, but at least a few. Paul and his family enjoyed the trip and the week, no wonder one of the best for sunshine. on the way in we passed yacht Aisling with its YES flag flying, I have seen a few yes flags flying from yachts lately!!!!

No!!!!!

We had spied Eric our old stag when we were out with Paul fishing the previous week and here he was hiding in a hollow on the other Island just at the harbour.

Eric Being Discrete

So a plan was hatched and we decided to go out with Peter our German hunter, with Calum and crew at the helm, we would get dropped off and have a look for some stags.

Heading for the gap.

It was a fantastic morning with blue skies and warm early,  a nice breeze from the SE and perfect for an early morning foray. We saw the stags, we got very close but they did not hang about. They took off and we positioned ourselves up on top of the Island. I told Peter to wait there as I walked to the windward side to wind the stags. I told him to be careful but if the opportunity arose he could get his stag. As it happened they swam off and stood perfectly for the shot. Peter, an old hand at stalking was so pleased to experience the sight of Eric close up, the stags swimming off and standing perfectly. He elected not to shoot and I have to say I was very pleased with his respect for the stags and the moment. A good hunter.

The Swimmers (courtesy of Irene MacA)

We headed back leaving the Island in peace and headed back for a late breakfast.

Speeding Home

The good weather brought a few more visitors, Yacht Ocean Lord was in and looking for a bottle of Rona whisky, an impromptu tasting was required and the dregs of our bottle made a few drams for the crew.

Tasting in the sun

We had been chatting down at the pontoon with Ocean Lord’s crew when a RIB came in from Portree, Calum was coming so they never tied up but we had a chat shouting at each other as they drifted about. The RIB was called ‘Sollas’ which intrigued me as I have many friends in that area of North Uist and of course my older sister lives just before it, at Achmore. It turned out to be Bruce Black and his pal from Portree.

Shouting Out

I ran Peter home after an exhausting day out and the last drop of sun was throwing up a lovely sky in Dry Harbour. We miss most of the sunsets at the Lodge so it was nice to see one.

Dry Harbour Sky

Next day more of the same but by evening it was getting a bit cloudier.

The Last Yacht Visitor for a While

It has gone quiet now and by the time Paul, his family and Peter left there was a change on and it has become very Autumnal. Monday morning I was tidying up getting the place organised for Calum coming to relieve and I heard the helicopter hanging about. It passed the mouth of the harbour hovering (I think) above one of the fish farm boats, it must have been on exercise . We didn’t here anything on the VHF. Later in the day I took off to check the creels, a few cracking lobsters but no prawns, time to lift the creels. I pulled up the fleet for the last time and headed in to miss the tide . So I tied up and planned unloading to-day.

The Last Fishing

So here we are unloaded waiting for the tide to lift the boat, it is pitch dark and Calum has just arrived. It is 9pm on Wednesday night.

Finishing Up.

I’m off down to the pontoon to get the mail and ‘hopefully’ put the boat to bed. Tomorrow, a long drive is in front of us as we head South to tie up a few loose ends and have a wee break, Hooray!!!!!!