Monday 29 July 2013
Sunday 28 July 2013
Saturday 27 July
Got up early this morning to make chopped tomato and onion
side salad and cucumber, mint and yoghurt dip as off gliding at Buckminster
Gliding Club for the day and group curry in the club house afterwards. Nice
sunny day with a gentle breeze but turned out great for flying. Last year I had
an air tow but this year thought I’d try a winch tow. Once hooked up the glider
really accelerates down the runway then soars up at a really steep angle until
the tow is released. We went up to around 1000 feet, dropped a bit then found a
good thermal and circled back up to 2000 feet. The views out over the Vale of
Belvoir were great and the flight lasted about 30 minutes. I had a go at flying
and climbing in the thermal but think I need more practice! I could get quite
hooked on this flying though as it’s a perfect alternative to sailing when the
winds fall too light.
It looks like we were really lucky with the weather as it
started to rain and then poured as we were having our curry afterwards and there
was thunder about when I got home. I would imagine there were more than a few
people listening apprehensively in Southwell and the villages to the thunder
and rain last night after the flash floods last week.
The Gliding Wayfarers getting ready to mount their magnificent flying machines
Tea and coffee whilst waiting
Wing Commander Beardy (retired) getting ready to take to the air
Off up into the blue yonder
Looking out over the Vale of Belvoir
Sunday 28 July
Back home now after a day sailing over the lake, what a glorious day, sun, wind and warm I surfed myself silly and I'm shattered now. Did two races and had a real long play on the formula board blatting about and falling in as I got tired or the gusts just came through to too strong and awkward to handle but feeling tired, chilled and great.
Thursday 25 July 2013
Thursday 25 July
We had a terrific thunderstorm Tuesday evening, it started around
half five with lots of thunder and lightning then it really poured. It seemed
as if the storm moved over us from Farnsfield but then it stopped over
Southwell then came back with strong winds that have blown trees down in
places. It only lasted a couple of hours all told but did it ever rain, Mum
couldn’t get back from Southwell for a while.
I haven't seen such heavy rain for ages, all the gutters
overflowed and we had about an inch of water over the new patio for a while.
Irene next door had to get two pumps going as the water almost came up to her
back door on their drive.
I walked down to the river and watched the stream rising, I reckon
it came up an inch in about 20 minutes in the culvert under the road and it was
pouring over both sides of the weir at Top Dam.
We got off quite lightly though as there were bad floods in
Southwell, Mum says there is some video on U-tube that shows the extent in
Southwell. The Straws neighbour had water up to the door, the Leisure Centre
had cars flooded out. In Church Street the river burst its banks and flooded
the houses, Joe was flooded again. All along Kirklington Road there are loads
of skips with carpets and flood damaged property in them.
Cars were up to their roof in water on Halloughton Road and
in Thurgarton the water came up to the junction and flooded both sides of the
stream. Lowdham flooded and the cricket pitch is a lake again. I was talking to
Jim at the club and he said it took him three and a half hours to get home from
East Bridgford to Bleasby. He said it would have been quicker by canoe!
I feel sorry for all the people living in the flood zones as they
all got flooded out last year and then have been hit by this freak storm again
this year. All we had was the phone down for a couple of days.
Mum is out with Alison picking cherries at the moment, I will have
to drop her at the station tonight as she is going down to stay with Sylvia for
a few days.
The water flooding under the culvert by the mill
Top Dam
Tuesday 23 July 2013
Tuesday 23 July
We had some really good thunder and lighting overnight, storms started about 8:30pm and went on right through the night. We went out and watched for a while, the whole sky was lighting up and on one occasion there must have been about five different forks of lighting going across as well as down the sky, very impressive. Some much needed rain as well as the grass had all gone brown and dry and the apple trees were starting to shed more fruit. The plum trees are doing quite well and the one by the pond has really come on this year since I cleared around it and has a bumper crop coming, so much so I am going to have to prop up the boughs or they might break.
Plums on the tree by the pond.
There must be 30 plus house sparrows under the pear tree feeding on the falling grain from the feeders, I am surprised the local Sparrow Hawk hasn't been for breakfast although they are a bit jumpy diving into the bushes by the garage every few minutes.
Looks like all the Toadpoles have hatched, no sign of any left in the pond but lots of little toadlets under the grass and any sort of cover in the garden. I pulled some weed out of the pond and cleared the lillies back a bit yesterday so we can see the fish better, no toadpoles but one fat female newt.
The rain will help the hedgehogs as well, they are about as they continue to leave enormous poohs on the grass but seem very elusive this year.
Plums on the tree by the pond.
There must be 30 plus house sparrows under the pear tree feeding on the falling grain from the feeders, I am surprised the local Sparrow Hawk hasn't been for breakfast although they are a bit jumpy diving into the bushes by the garage every few minutes.
Looks like all the Toadpoles have hatched, no sign of any left in the pond but lots of little toadlets under the grass and any sort of cover in the garden. I pulled some weed out of the pond and cleared the lillies back a bit yesterday so we can see the fish better, no toadpoles but one fat female newt.
The rain will help the hedgehogs as well, they are about as they continue to leave enormous poohs on the grass but seem very elusive this year.
Monday 22 July 2013
Monday 22 July
I reckon Mrs Duck has an early warning system for when we are in the garden, I was picking windfalls up when I became aware of a presence behind me, giving me a critical look with her head cocked to one side just like Miss Lewis-White my old maths teacher at college. She just stood there looking at me as if to say where was the food and only moved when I put grain down for her eat, she has got me really well trained.
Sunday 21st July
Quiet day today listening to the test match on the radio and catching up after being away. Went for a walk just after lunch to Top Dam and saw a Kingfisher flying up the right hand bank in and out of the bushes and heard another just downstream of the dam. Also saw 3 carp, one ghost and two dark ones, a bit too far off to identify any better than that.
We carried on up over the top and checked out the cherry trees, just coming into full ripeness so braved the stingy nettles and picked a pound or more, even managed to get some home without eating them all. They are delicious especially when warm and sweet, we will be making regular visits over the next week or so!
Came back home to find a juvenile Green Woodpecker inspecting the ant hills on the lawn, it si still a bit spotty but starting to get the true adult colouring.
We went over the sailing club in the evening to celebrate Russ's birthday, 76 years young, he was quite chuffed as he had beaten Pilky in a race this afternoon. Seems like only last year though Jim, Russ and I were celebrating turning 70, 40 and 50, time seems to rush past so fast.
Quiet day today listening to the test match on the radio and catching up after being away. Went for a walk just after lunch to Top Dam and saw a Kingfisher flying up the right hand bank in and out of the bushes and heard another just downstream of the dam. Also saw 3 carp, one ghost and two dark ones, a bit too far off to identify any better than that.
We carried on up over the top and checked out the cherry trees, just coming into full ripeness so braved the stingy nettles and picked a pound or more, even managed to get some home without eating them all. They are delicious especially when warm and sweet, we will be making regular visits over the next week or so!
Came back home to find a juvenile Green Woodpecker inspecting the ant hills on the lawn, it si still a bit spotty but starting to get the true adult colouring.
We went over the sailing club in the evening to celebrate Russ's birthday, 76 years young, he was quite chuffed as he had beaten Pilky in a race this afternoon. Seems like only last year though Jim, Russ and I were celebrating turning 70, 40 and 50, time seems to rush past so fast.
Saturday 20 July 2013
A last few photos from Scotland
Sailing out from Arisaig first day
Glen Coe where I was climbing in the mist on the mountains in the background last October
If you look carefully you can just see the otter right of centre behind the dark rock on Eigg
Sailing across to Rhum
Otter tracks in the sand on the
A few more photos
The route we took
Campsite first night at the back of the inn
Sailing into Eigg the first time
Paddling into Sanna Bay
Looking back to Eigg from Sanna just after midnight
The campsite on Muck with Eigg, Rhum and Skye in the background
Summary of trip
Summary
Animals
seen:
2 Otters, one Basking Shark at a distance, lots of
seals and White Sided Dolphins most days.
Birds
seen:
(46)
Storm Petrel (lifetime first for me), Great Skua,
Manx Shearwater, Guillemot, Black Guillemot, Razorbill, Kittiwake, Great Black
Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Arctic Tern, Oyster Catcher, Ringed Plover, Curlew,
Gannet, Puffin, Shag, Rock Pippit, Meadow Pippit, Blackbird, SongThrush, Robin,
Wren, House Sparrow, Swallow, Blackcap, Wheatear, Short Eared Owl, Common
Sandpiper, Peregrine Falcon, Buzzard, Hooded Crow, Jackdaw, Cuckoo, Hen
Harrier, Mallard, Eider, Grey Heron, Sedge Warbler, Chaffinch, Siskin,
Greenfinch, Raven, Dunlin, Red Throated Diver, Dunnock, Stock Dove, House
Martin.
Distance home to Arisag and back about 800 miles.
Sailing
Log (approximate
distances from chart)
Monday 8th Arisaig to Eigg 11 miles, wind
F1-2 NW 2.5 hours motor set off 16:30 arrived 20;00
Wednesday 9th Eigg to Sanna Bay 11 miles,
wind NW 1-2 30 minutes motor, set off 09:30 arrived 14:30
Thursday 10th Sanna Bay to Muck 9 miles,
wind NW 0-2, 2 hours motor, set off 15:30 arrived 19:40
Saturday 13th Muck to Rum 15 miles, wind
NW 3-4 1ST reef in, 30 minutes motor, set off 10:45 arrived 14:40
Saturday 13th Rum to Eigg 12 miles, wind
NW 0-3, 1ST reef at first then shaken out, 35 minutes motor, set off
18:00 arrived 21:05
Monday 15th Eigg to Kentra Bay 12 miles,
wind SW 3-4 1st reef, 1m swell top speed just over 7kts. 10 Minutes
motor. Set off 13:00 arrived 15:10
Thursday 18th Kentra Bay to head of Loch Moidart via south channel 4.5 miles, wind
NW 0-2, 15 minutes motor, set off 13:00 arrived 14.10.
Thursday 18th Castle on Loch Moidart to
Arisaig via north channel 8 miles, wind NW
0-1 2 hours, 2 hours motor, set off 14:30 arrived 20:10.
Total miles = 82.5 nautical miles
engine hours = 6 hours 30 minutes.
Sailing to Loch Moidart, last day
Sailing towards the head of Loch Moidart
The Castle at the head of Loch Moidart
Looking back to sea through the south channel Loch Moidart
On our way back to Arisaig
The boats beached at sunset at Arisaig
Paul with his "Camel" Landrover helping to pull the boats off the beach at Arisaig
Kentra Bay
The pool just up stream of where we were fishing
The fishing pool just as the stream enters the beach at Kentra Bay
Brian with the skull he found in the woods
Sunset from the campsite on Kentra Bay
Friday 19 July 2013
Wednesday to the sail back on Thursday 18th July
Wednesday 17th July
Still camped at Kentra Bay as we didn't fancy sailing as weather
looked like it was closing in but in the end it remained dry but a lot of low
cloud and mist about with the odd warm patch.
Sam and I had a go at fishing off the rocks for mackerel but no
luck so we went hunting for worms (very hard to find at Kentra) and tried our
luck fishing for trout in the brook that ran down into the bay. I had five fish
on the line before finally landing one, it was just a bit bigger than a large
whitebait! It was great fun and very relaxing and most of the fleet joined us
watching and chatting on the river bank until the midges and horse flies drove
them off.
When I eventually succumbed to the last bite from the really
vicious horse flies I went looking for muscles instead and picked a bag full on
the rocks just along from where we had moored in about 15 minutes, too many for
me so I gave the excess to Dave and Julie. I reckon I had them from the rock to
cooked and inside me in under 20 minutes. Poached in a bit of red wine with
garlic and onion they were delicious!
I dined out in the evening at the Mellors who had invited Kate and
I to their tent for chilli, nice to see the in-laws.
Thursday 18th July
Last sail today, set off just after lunchtime as the tide was
rising so not too far to roll the boats down to the sea and sailed around to
the south entrance to Loch Moidart. Kate sailed us in whilst I navigated, quite
testing at times as lots of rocks and narrow channels but we reached the castle
near the head of the loch without any problems and stopped for a bite to eat
and explore.
The loch is beautiful with steep wooded sides and rocks and very
quiet, just us under sail going out the north entrance until it got a bit too
shallow and tricky so we motored for a while to clear the entrance.
The wind dropped unfortunately so we had to motor most of the way
back except for a few short sails and one short attempt with the spinnaker for
a while. Just us the odd dolphin, seal, gannet and usual passing Manx
Shearwater.
We eventually made the beach at Arisaig just after 8:00pm and
pulled the boats up above the tide before dashing to the shower and then the
pub for dinner. What a difference in weather to last year when we had to put
two reefs in at one point.
Friday 19th July
Well that is it, time to pack up and go home, however, a nice end
as Sam and I spotted an Otter fishing out in the bay just as we got up and
watched it for about 15 minutes before it went into rocks out of sight, our
second otter sighting of the trip.
We also met Paul again who we met last year at Arisaig with his
"Camel" Landrover and he gave us all a much appreciated pull off the
sand onto the hard where we could easily load the boats onto the road trailers
to take home. Thanks Paul.
The journey home was long and uneventful in hot sunshine all the
way.
Kentra Bay Monday 15 July
The boats pulled up on the beach at Kentra Bay after a wet crossing just before it started raining again.
Getting the dinner on in the tent on Kentra Bay
Kate waiting for dinner!
Sam, Dave and Olwyn walking to the pub over 6 miles away from Kentra Bay
Sam getting ready to try fishing off the rocks in Kentra Bay
Sam, Kate, John, Brian and Dave sitting round the fire before bed, Kentra Bay
Monday 15th July
Currently beached on Kentra bay back on the mainland between
Ardanamurchan Point and Arasaig after a good sail across from Eigg.
Woke up this morning to cloudy, windy day and thought at
first we would be staying on Eigg for the day so got up early and went fishing.
Tried for Mackerel off the old pier and then went to the new pier to try for
sea trout but no luck. At least yesterday I hooked a decent sized mackerel on
the spinner but it fell off before I could grab it! I carried on for a while
but I reckon it swam back and warned all its mates off as no more bites. So I
went cockling instead and picked about 40 cockles that I had for dinner with
rice and vegetables, Kate doesn’t like them so I had to eat them all.
Whilst I was fishing this morning I saw a dolphin jumping
out the water as it was swimming along just off shore. Then a Red Throated
Diver flew over with food taking it inland, I expect to it young on one of the
little lochans. It was followed a bit later by a small flock of Dunlin.
I also tried fishing off the beach by the pier but again no
luck but did track and otter back from the water’s edge to the rocks and back
again but no sign of it, it probably came up during the night.
We set sail at 1:00pm in a good force 3-4 from the south
west, quite a few white caps and enough swell to keep us concentrating. It was
quite a wet crossing just over 10 miles and we got up to over 7 knots at times
with a first reef in and the genoa rolled. The new sail performs much better
than the old one and has a much better shape when reefed.
We found a nice sandy
beach but as we arrived just before low tide it meant a long push up the beach
for the boats on rollers. Tomorrow the tide will be high just after lunch time
so hopefully it will only be a short push then back into the water.
As we arrived the weather closed in, visibility fell as the
mist and then rain came down and we ended up putting the boat tent up in the
rain. It looks like it will be in for the evening now so I think it will be
dinner on the boat then a read and bed. The nearest pub is about a six mile
walk away across fields and then along the road, a bit too far in the rain.
Tuesday 16th July
Rained heavily overnight but tent stood up well and was nice
and dry, it’s always a bit damp though when it pours as we arrived in wet gear
and wet boat and that makes it difficult to mop up and dry things out.
Fortunately when we woke up it was dry and the weather improved during the day
so we were able to make some clothes lines and hang things up to dry.
We spent the morning tidying and drying up and hiked into
the nearest town Acharacle on the mouth of Loch Shiel for a coffee and cake and
the a steak and pint or two in the hotel. It was about 5-6 miles so we were
dead pleased to get a lift half way back even if it meant getting five of us
into the back of a golf!
The beach has what they call “Singing Sands”, we think it
refers to the fact the sand squeaks when you walk on it, you hear it more so
when walking barefoot. Mind you there are signs saying the beach is subject to
unexploded bombs so that would certainly make things sing!
Sam lit a nice fire before bed when we got back and we had a
quiet sit before bed, I think the walk to the town and back tired us all out.
Woke up this morning just as the rain started, not quite
sure what we are doing today but did have a phone call from Viv, first time
since we parted Sunday week, probably the longest we have not been able to
speak to each other since we married. Also got texts from the kids which was
great. It seems strange I am on a beach that feels more remote than most of the
places we have been and yet I seem to have a decent phone signal for once.
Sunday 14 July 2013
Photos Sunday 13th July
Sunday 13th July
Back on Eigg for a couple of nights with very iffy internet
connection, I reckon it crashes if a seagull flies between the mast here and
the relay station on the mainland. It seems quite strange that we had such good
connections in Greece last year and back here it is so hit and miss, likewise
with the phones. I feel quite cut off and miss not being able to talk to the
family when I want to it’s been a week now since the phone worked. Although, I
did get a text from Leah the other day which was very nice.
I also haven’t been anywhere with a mirror so must look like
the wild man of the west, they don’t put them in the gents up here. On the
subject of toilets they have made one at the back of the beach where people
visiting tend to camp. There are two stalls both face out over the beach and
have lovely views, one has a door on it the other doesn’t. You chose which one
depending on whether you can see anyone else about just before you start!
Friday 11th July
Had a very laid back day on Muck, we walked over the island
to the tea shop and community centre and seemed to spend all out time just drinking
tea and chatting in the sun after enjoying the showers. After dinner in the
evening we had a game of cricket on the beach with two fenders as the wickets
and a paddle as the bat. We played until 10:30 and despite it still being
bright we decided to call it a day due to bad light.
Just in front of our tent there was a nest with three eggs
in it, we thought it had been abandoned but a Ringed Plover kept returning when
it went quiet and brooding them. I hope she manages to hatch them as the beach
was quite busy.
Saturday 12th July
Woke up in the night to hear the wind getting up, the
forecast had been for more sun and light variable winds but we got up to a
steady force 3-4 and overcast skies. After
all the light winds it was nice to get a decent blow but we were all a bit
apprehensive on the beach looking out at the white caps on the sea.
We set one reef and motored out into the bay and then set
sail for Rum about 11-12 miles away and made land early afternoon on the turn
of the tide. I had to spend a bit of time repairing my genoa sail as it had
popped out of the guide and I couldn’t fully deploy it. After some
consideration I ended up cutting the wire out and replacing it with a rope
guide that seems to be working fine.
Got off the boat and finally set foot on Rum for the first
time and followed the others up to the castle where they were holding the small
island games. We watched for a while then Jerry and I entered the shot put. My
first go broke the flag for the current 3rd place and I remained in
3rd until just before the end, nice way to visit for the first time!
The anchorage at Rum was not big enough for all five boats
to be pulled up for the night and as the wind was gusting down the bay we
didn’t fancy anchoring off and camping on the boat overnight. So we set sail
late afternoon for Eigg about 10 miles away where we knew we would get ashore
on high tide. The wind was initially quite good, a pleasant 2-3 and we hoisted
the spinnaker for a while but dropped it rounding the top point on Eigg when the
sea got a bit too lumpy for comfort. After that the wind gradually died off and
we ended up motoring the last mile or so into the bay just above the harbour.
As we arrived at just gone 9:00pm we all had the same thoughts, Kate heated up
a Wayfarer breakfast whilst I put up the land tent. Fast hot food in it’s
simplest form all around.
Fortunately as it was Saturday the bar in the café was still
open so we were able to retire after a couple of well earned beers.
Looks like we will stop on Eigg Sunday then see what the
weather and wind are like Monday before deciding where to go next.
This was the first day sailing we have not seen any porpoise
and only a few seals.
When we were on Rum there was an article in the visitor
centre that said about a quarter of the world population of Manx Shearwaters
return to breed on Rum each year having spent the winter off the coast of
Brazil and Uruguay quite amazing for a bird with a body about the same size as
a Collard Dove. We also saw pictures on the wall of the stags featured in
Spring Watch as that is where they film the rutting.
Friday 12 July 2013
A few more pictures 11 July
Kate sailing across to Eigg
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