Idun is now within easy reach on the river Crouch. This is familiar territory as we kept our previous boat here for a few years. Huge thanks to Daniel and Toby who helped Dominic get Idun down here, which has made it possible for us to enjoy our second home this season, and been a … Continue reading Autumn in Burnham-on-Crouch
Toby on Idun in Inverness Marina Sunday 15th - Monday 24th August: Inverness to Burnham-on-Crouch Our friend Toby joined Dominic in Inverness and they soon set off out into the Moray Firth, tacking out to Fraserburgh, on a 21-hour overnighter to Peterhead. After getting gas and diesel and a few hours of rest they set … Continue reading Sailing down the East Coast with Toby – Inverness to the Crouch
This was not the sailing season we had envisaged. But then again, this was not the year that anyone had planned on! As Idun was overwintered in Scotland, we couldn’t travel up there until July. Also, both Dominic and I caught the virus back in March. He was ill for a few days, but I … Continue reading Leaving the Highlands – Cruising the Caledonian Canal with Daniel
Monday, 16th and Tuesday, 17th September: Oban Marina on Kerrera After walking with Daniel to the train station I had to switch from holiday mode, to overwintering Idun mode. My first call was to the harbour office, and Vicky the Harbour Master. We have electric bikes on the boat, but as they are rather too … Continue reading End of the season – overwintering Idun at Oban Marina
Thursday, 12th September: Sailing South to Tobermory The winds are ever changing and today is now the best day to go south so we headed off late morning after a cooked breakfast that set us up for the day. Kyle Rhea was a bit rougher than on our previous visits. Dominic took in the foresail … Continue reading Daniel visiting – Mull and Oban
Monday, 9th September: Fort William to collect Daniel Daniel was due in to Fort William on the Caledonian Sleeper from Euston just before 10am, but due to emergency track repairs he was forced to go to Aberdeen and then by bus to Fort William. Which made an already very long journey even longer. Dominic and I … Continue reading Daniel visiting – Skye
Thursday, 5th September: Sailing the Inner Sound Today we had a weird sail. We set out as soon as the rain stopped after listening to the 10am maritime safety broadcast, to double check on the winds. I'd already ascertained that there was no weapons exercises today, just submarine activity. But we were sailing close to … Continue reading Plockton, Kyle and Isleornsay
Saturday, 31st August: Just a bit further north More rain today. It just keeps raining.... We're subject to quite some swells here in Loch Shieldaig, despite being at the end of the very long Loch Torridon, so we're moving off. We've not gone into the Upper Loch which would have been nice, but not much … Continue reading Loch Gairloch
Wednesday, 28th August: Shieldaig, 'Herring Bay' We entered Loch Sheildaig, at the southern extremity of Loch Torridon late afternoon, and within an hour or so the rain stopped which was lovely. We anchored between Shieldaig Island and the village. The island is clad in Scotch pine and fern and is a very soothing backdrop. The … Continue reading Loch Torridon
Sunday, 25th August: Raasay, 'Isle of the Roe Deer' We woke up to still waters and the promise of sunshine. Finally! We tied up the RIB to the fishing pier behind the ferry terminal, and started our explore of Raasay. Raasay Island sits east of Skye, and is 14 miles long and up to 4 … Continue reading Raasay and Rona
