CNG - Sailing By

Well, since my last update our luck was still dire! We finally made it under the bridge about twenty past six. The tide had eased and we managed over three knots all the way. That was the end of our horendous day, I thought. No such luck! We got up to the canal but there was nowhere to shelter from our favourite wind - it was blowing South Westerly at 'a rate of knots' (play on words there). We couldn't tie up there so we headed back down the firth to the marina. Should have been a doddle! No chance! We get down to the point, just before you turn to starboard to get in to the channel heading for the marina, we 'touched' the bottom and were 'slightly' worried!!! We made it in to the very posh Inverness Marina with tired and weary bones. It has been a hard day!

Much as I have loved every minute of this trip I am looking forward to having clean hands and having straight hair again. Oh and my soft and comfy bed (with Simon in it, obviously) is going to be a dream come true.

I can't imagine not wearing three layers of clothes when I go to bed tomorrow night. I know, that is pathetic! I have only been away for a week. I am too used to my home comforts - bring it on! I am no Ellen MacArthur!(hope that is how you spell her name. Little Don is rubbish at spelling)

Signing off from Lakota. I will still update the blog with information from Don and his next crew.

SAILING BY
CNG

Well, what a day we have had! No exageration but it has been terrible! We left Nairn at quarter to ten this morning and it is now almost ten past five in the evening and we aren'e in Inverness yet. The weather has been a total pain. Lord knows how strong the winds were but it felt like gale force to me! At one stage, just past Channory Point we had to turn round and then once a wee coaster passed us, heading for Inverness, we crossed from the South Side to the North Side (with many lumpy and uncomfortable waves) for some shelter. It was blowing a hoolie, again! We eventually made the approach to the bridge but the tide was against us and just as we were almost underneath it we started to go astern! NOT GOOD!! Skipper (have ditched all of the other names for Don today) made the decision to turn around and we would try to find shelter for a few hours. Not as easy as it sounds. He also decided to try dropping the anchor so that we could be a peace until it was time to head for Inverness again but lo and behold - it wouldn't hold. Totally US! The Gods are against this trip. We only wanted one small break and make it up to the canal but NO we are now sitting moaning about the whole rubbish day and watching the clock, very slowly move towards six o'clock.

Phoned my sister to tell her all of the above and she had the cheek to ask if I was 'spewing'. No chance. I wouldn't be here if I had a weak stomach. Not only for the weather but for sharing the boat with my brothers. Not something I would recommend to someone with a delicate stomach.

Must sign off now. We are all scunnered!

Sailing by, with any luck, soon.
LAKOTA

PS Photos will be uploaded once I get home to a faster connection - not that there is anything wrong with the dongle. It has been brilliant.