CNG - Sailing By

I find it hard to remember what I have written and what I have forgotten!

1 When Little Don made breakfast the other day I forgot to mention how good it was. I know, surprising but true. He made us eggy bread and sausages etc. It was very unhealthy but very tasty. He did a grand job.

2 Today when the sea was at it worst but the sails were up and we were getting up to 6.2 knots. Lindsay decided he was tired and would go for a little nap - two hours later he appeared thinking he had had his head down for fifteen minutes. Now we know why he is called 'pillow head'!

3 Last night I was so warm in my bed that I had to open up my sleeping bad to let some air in. It couln't be anything to do with still wearing three layers and two pairs of socks in bed! I was as warm as toast. May try taking one layer off tonight!
Shower tomorrow for the first time in three days!!!! The boys have already showered tonight so they smell fresh. The same cannot be said for me!

Good Evening from Lossiemouth

What a day we have had!

When we woke in Helmsdale this morning (from 6am onwards) it was blowing a hooley and the forecast wasn't looking hopeful for the day ahead. Don decided that we should have a leisurly breakfast and then once we had cleaned up and sorted ourselves out we would take a look at the weather again. As the morning wore on - after bacon softies and huge flasks of tea we all got ourselves kitted out in the varying layers of clothing, from the very inside to out it was up to a maximum of six layers! We all looked like Michelan men by the time we were ready. By ten twenty we had let the ropes go, the decision had been made, we were heading for Lossie! By ten thirty the sails were up and we were skipping along. It was lumpy and very exciting! We took the head sail down for a while and motored with the main sail up, with just two reefs. This stabalised the boat in the heavy seas.

We sailed/motored for a couple of hours and then the conditions were slightly better and the head sail was hoisted again. We managed to sail for over three hours with both sails at full whack! (Not a nautical term). It was brilliant sailing. This little boat sits in the water beautifully. She doesn't take on water when she hits big waves and she feels very comfortable even in heavy seas. I am well impressed by her (and by Donnie's sailing skills).

Something funny happened yesterday - wasn't going to publish it but the more I think of it the funnier it gets. Mind you, I am on my second (plastic) glass of wine so it may seem funnier!

I had to pay a visit to the Head (nautical term) in the afternoon and if you can imagine (not a pretty sight) me wearing four layers on top and three layers on the bottom it isn't easy to squeeze in to a small cubicle (now renamed the phone box as it is the best place to get mobile phone reception) and do the necessary. Anyway, I had finished what I had to do and was trying to pull my clothes together, in the right order, when the boat swung round and I clattered against the door, it opened, I fell out, banging my right arm in the process on the edge of the door. Oh the pain! It was really sore! Not only that but I hadn't managed to get all of my layers sorted out so I was half in and half out of my layers lying against the door of the head wondering what on earth was going on. It surely must have been a massive lump of sea or some other emergency!! No such luck! My big brother had lost his hat over the side and the guys forgot about me and immediately turned the boat around to retreive the hat!!! They didnt't even have the decency to shout 'Coming about'! Anyway, I am glad to say all is well that ends well. Alec has a hat that has salt stains on it and I have a bruise on my right arm worthy of a good story!!

What is a trip like this without a few laughs - at my expense!

I have to go now. Little Don is breaking out the bond!
Sailing by.
Lakota Crew

PS - Thanks to Irene and Stella and Eileen for visiting us tonight. I was great to see them.

Oh well, it was never going to be hot and sunny today - we all know that May day is a great day to stay indoors to watch TV! We are staying indoors but we don't have a telly.

The weather is bad and we won't be leaving Helmsdale any time soon. It may clear later this morning but right now the waves are huge and the rain is pelting down.

Off to make bacon sandwiches.
speak later.
From a very stormy Helmsdale.
Lakota