At last it feels a bit more like summer, just for a few days though as the forecast for the weekend is/was dire. Big South East winds were predicted this weekend but looking at it just now I wonder if it will happen, the chart has changed yet again. Our Castaway is enjoying the peace with many boats passing and now they know she is there they are all waving, we put up a board at the pier and her collection tin is filling up.

Busy Harbour

Big Harbour with a little bit of good weather and sun (almost) has been filling up all week, last night we had seven yachts, 13 on Tuesday and 11 on Monday. These guys on the RIB came from Dry Island up at Badachro, where they are holidaying with Iain and Jess MacWhiney. They reported that it is very busy with tourists up around that area. As I write the bay has emptied (Thursday morning), with them all heading for sheltered anchorages, given Friday’s forecast, I guess.

Early Morning Calm

So far this year we are around 70 less yacht visits to Rona, despite the big numbers this week. Lots of our regular boats have been posted missing and it may be that they have gone elsewhere but I’m sure the weather has a lot to do with it. We had two kayakers this week, the first for a while. Alasdair and Laurie (Yacht Run Rig) invited us out to dinner on Sunday night which was really good, even better to have a night off cooking.

On Restaurant yacht Run Rig

Monday morning my ‘wee’ sister Ali, arrived from Australia (via Uist). The weather for them the week before out there was interesting to say the least but it was promising better and they had a good calm sail over in MV Aspire. Not much in the way of wildlife though.

The ‘Rellies’ are here.

Steve, Ali’s partner was almost immediately pressed into service. The bike had been playing up after all the other machinery had had a go too. This time it was dirty fuel which meant stripping half the bike to get the carburetor off. We found blocked jets and dirty water so we emptied the tank and cleaned the intake.

Stripped Down.

We had a go at the jeep exhaust too, it was still blowing but an old bean tin was just the job to seal the hole. As we were in the mood and it was calm we took down the windmill for the annual service (well overdue) only to find minimal wear, fingers crossed for a long life.

At Last, Annual Service.

Unfortunately the windmill brake does not work so we have to get it down and up with no wind. And at last the weather was kind. Some wear to the spring bushes but that was it. A quick grease and up she goes.

Torridon Sea Tours

It is busy in Shieldaig too with two visits this week from Kenny and Gemma on MV Seaflower.

Yachtsmen Enjoying The Facilities

Yacht Shogun from Kyle came in with crew from Glenelg in the middle of the day and were up at the house for a visit, Bruce the owner used to come with the Kyle landing craft a few years ago so it was good to catch up. Dan was in last night on MV Stardust with a private charter from Portree but we were in the middle of entertaining Eddie, Jim, Adrian and Johneen, Yacht Lacuna and Dromederis on their annual ‘must get to Rona ‘ visit, so we did not have much time for a blether. Dan delivered the days papers and here was Claire on the front page of the Press and Journal!!

We had a great night with our Irish friends, I have known them for many years and we look forward to seeing them every year. They are always full of fun!!!!

Our Irish Friends!!!!!!!! Adrian, Jim and Ed’

The end of dinner crack was excellent.

At The End Of The Day……

We walked our guests to the pier but just as we were leaving we noticed below Johneen’s chair, quite a mess. She denied dropping her food and on closer inspection it turned out that the soles of her deck shoes had perished, Big Time!!!!

The Remains of Johneen’s sole.

By the time we got to the pier there was no sole left, the shoes more resembled flip flops, much hilarity at the end of a really busy, sunny summers day.

To-day it has been quiet, everyone has now gone and no one has arrived yet. We went out fishing and got into a few Pollock, now in the freezer. We called into see our Castaway and delivered the PnJ. All in all a good but quieter day.

Back In With The Catch