We're off!

Gentle, loyal reader, your will be delighted to know that Vagabond is now happily afloat and has shaken  the slate dust off her decks (Balvicar and the Isle of Seil being entirely constructed out of the stuff). She is now moored to a buoy off King***** Hotel just south of Balachulish whilst my crew * and I have a rest. We spent Monday morning rigging her - as always it took longer than I thought and we missed the tide to launch her. So it was early on Tuesday that we launched her. She was a bit reluctant to leave her trailer, but a few runs (in reverse) down the ramp, followed by sharp braking, allowed the laws of physics to prise her free and she was afloat! 

We sailed south to the Cuan sound and had to wander about in Loch ?? to wait for the tide to turn. It was the only sailing we did that day, as the wind dropped when we reached the Firth of Lorne and we had to rely on Freddie to reach Dunstaffnidge by 19:30. After some hassle, we were able to get the important key to the loos and, after some amazing Scallops and Black  pudding at the Frog, we retired for the night. It was prescient of us to put the tent over the cockpit before turning before turning it in because it threw it down overnight and we awoke to gray skies and the promise of more rain. 

We turned north east anayway, to find a 14 knot wind from the South West. Vagabond flew along. At one point 7 knots was noticed on the GPS. We reached our destination in just over 4 hours. To add to the day, the rain held off and we were in sunshine for most of the way. We anchored of the hotel, rolling  uncomfortably in the swell. We went ashore to have a welcome swim before dinner. The forecast says the wind will drop later on this evening.

Photos to follow.

* Regular readers will know of my view about crew. My daughter (who currently lives in Nova Scotia) had timed her visit to Europe to crew with me for a few days. She was not to be refused!!